ELAINA DA FONTE

CONNECTICUT 2ND SEASON

Elaina da Fonte grew up in Roxbury, Connecticut, and has been dancing since she was three. After her early training under Kerry Gallagher and Elizabeth Parkinson at Fineline Theater Arts, Elaina moved to North Carolina at age 16 to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts high school program.

Upon graduating, Elaina continued her ballet education at Indiana University Ballet Theater where she trained with instructors Sarah Wroth, Sasha Janes, Kyra Nichols, Michael Vernon, Christian Claessens, and Carla Korbes. During her time at IU, Elaina performed principal roles in Sasha Janes’s Chaconne, Dwight Rhoden’s Ballad Unto, Mark Godden’s Angels in the Architecture, and Bournonville’s Kermesse Pas de Deux. Elaina also performed works by George Balanchine, Marius Petipa, Antony Tudor, and many other legendary choreographers.

Elaina is extremely excited to begin her professional career with Charlotte Ballet!

GET TO KNOW ELAINA

Hometown: Roxbury, Connecticut
Dancing since: age three
What inspires you as an artist: Art has an incredible ability to evoke powerful emotions both from the audience and the artist themselves. Some of my favorite artistic experiences are when I leave the stage feeling an overwhelming sense of joy. In these instances, a large part of what contributes to my own joy is knowing that the audience feels the same way. Whether it be through the energy the audience gives during bows, through personal conversations with audience members after a performance is done, or through watching children dance as they leave the theater, it’s so moving as an artist to know that you contributed to someone else’s feelings of happiness. So for me, one of the things that inspires me most as an artist is helping to create joy through my work!
Describe a meaningful dance moment: One of my most meaningful dance moments was in the fall of 2021 when I had the opportunity to perform in Sasha Janes’s Chaconne. This was my first principal role at Indiana University, and my first opportunity to perform a contemporary pas de deux on stage. The entire rehearsal process was such a positive experience for me from beginning to end, and I had the pleasure of performing with some great friends of mine. Sasha’s movement style really clicked with me- the athletic partnering and the musicality of the movements challenged me to push my limits and dig into my artistic expression. Up to this point, I had never felt such a sense of satisfaction or felt more like myself than when I performed Chaconne on stage, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Favorite thing about Charlotte/what are you looking forward to about living in Charlotte: I’m looking forward to being close to family and exploring a new city! I’ve never lived in a city as big as Charlotte before, so I’m excited to try new restaurants and experience the culture here.
What are you doing when you’re not dancing: When I’m not dancing I love to spend time outside, whether this be through hiking, taking a walk around my neighborhood, or reading a book on the porch. I also love to bake (lately I’ve been making a lot of biscotti) and experiment with new dinner recipes. And of course, I spend as much time as possible doing these things with my family and friends!