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Italy Petra Conti has transitioned from an acclaimed Prima Ballerina to the Artistic Director of Hollywood Ballet, inspiring a new generation of dancers and advocating for childhood cancer awareness.
Petra Conti is the founding Artistic Director of Hollywood Ballet, a ballet company co-founded with her husband, Eris Nezha. The company aims to inspire future generations of dancers.
Petra Conti partners with CURE Childhood Cancer through her 'Pointe Shoes for a Cure' initiative, raising awareness and funds by giving away signed pointe shoes for donations to help children with cancer. The initiative has raised over $15,000 since its inception in 2017.
Petra Conti has been a guest teacher and ballet coach for the University of South Carolina, sharing her expertise in classical ballet technique.
Petra Conti has been a guest teacher for the Debby Allen Dance Academy.
Petra Conti has been a guest teacher for the Orange County School of the Arts.
Petra Conti has been a guest teacher for the Master Ballet Academy.
Petra Conti regularly serves as a judge for the YAGP competition and has also conducted masterclasses as a guest teacher.
Petra Conti has been a guest teacher for Lis's Ballet Studio.
Petra Conti was a consultant for the Educandato Statale degli Angeli in Verona from 2017 to 2019.
Petra Conti was a faculty member at Los Angeles Ballet, in addition to being a Principal Dancer.
Petra Conti is a resident ballet coach and faculty member at Pasadena Civic Ballet.
Petra Conti modeled for Discount Dance Supply.
Petra Conti was chosen as a testimonial for the fashion brand Furla.
Petra Conti was chosen as a testimonial for the fashion brand MAX&Co.
Petra Conti was chosen as a testimonial for the fashion brand Bagutta.
Petra Conti was chosen as a testimonial for the fashion brand Freddy.
Petra Conti was chosen as a testimonial for the fashion brand Dansez-Vous?.
Petra Conti, born on April 30, 1988, in Anagni, Italy, embarked on her ballet journey at a young age. After training at the Szewczenko M.M. School of Ballet, she graduated with honors from the National Dance Academy in Rome in 2006. Her early career included a trainee position with the Mariinsky Ballet and guest star performances with the Arena di Verona Ballet. In 2008, she was a company member of the Bavarian State Ballet. Her talent was recognized early, leading to her elevation to Prima Ballerina at Teatro alla Scala in Milan at just 23 years old in 2011, after joining the company in 2009. From 2013 to 2017, she continued her career as a Principal Dancer with Boston Ballet, invited by Mikko Nissinen. Following her recovery from kidney cancer in 2016, she moved to California, joining the Los Angeles Ballet as a resident principal guest dancer in 2017. She has also held the title of Ambassador of the Italian Ballet around the World since 2014, recognizing her international impact.
Conti has performed alongside notable ballet stars such as Roberto Bolle, Ivan Vassiliev, and Eris Nezha, her husband. Her repertoire encompasses a wide range of classical and contemporary ballets, including lead roles in “Giselle,” “Don Quixote,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Swan Lake.” She has received numerous awards, including the Glamour Talent Award in 2018, the Positano Award in both 2007 and 2018, and the Danza e Danza Award for Best Performer of 2011. Beyond performing, Conti actively coaches and mentors aspiring dancers, serving as a ballet judge for events like the Youth American Grand Prix and as a guest teacher at various institutions. She co-founded Hollywood Ballet in 2023 with her husband, Eris Nezha, where she serves as the Artistic Director.
As a kidney cancer survivor, Conti has channeled her personal experience into advocacy. She launched “Pointe Shoes for a Cure” in support of CURE Childhood Cancer, raising over $15,000 since 2017. This initiative involves giving away her signed pointe shoes to generous donors, raising awareness and funds for children battling cancer. Her resilience and dedication extend to her active social media presence, where she inspires thousands of followers with her daily life and travels, earning a feature in Vogue.com in December 2018 for her influential presence. Conti is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Science of Leadership at Northeastern University, balancing her artistic and advocacy endeavors with academic pursuits.
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