Aretha dedicates her life to inspire dancers to pursue their dreams, she has been teaching and choreographing Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary for over 20 years. She is an IDTA Ballet Associate, NATD, TotalBarre, Progressive Ballet Technique, Progressive Contemporary Technique, mUvmethod and Classical Pilates qualified teacher.
She started dancing very young at her mother’s dance studio and has never stopped. In 1999, she graduated from Rose Ballet School’s Dance College in Brazil.
In 2003, Aretha moved to America where she worked at Walt Disney World and at American Hospitality Academy. During this time she also studied at Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Centre and at Alvin Ailey in New York.
In 2004, Aretha moved to the UK to pursue her dream to choreograph and direct dance shows. Aretha studied with renowned dance mentors and attended several courses to deepen her knowledge.
In 2008 she co-founded Stage Art Dance where she is now the Artistic Director. In 2012 her choreography was chosen to be part of a project by Wayne McGregor and English National Ballet, and in 2020 she was awarded the title of “Local Lockdown Hero” by Times Radio for the work done to keep children and adults dancing through the pandemic.
Aretha is a believer that “to dance is to be free”.
