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Follow your dreams - 25th October 2023

A dancer from a poor neighbourhood in Brazil is about to become a member of the Atlanta Ballet in the USA. Dyhan Cardoso, who’s 19, started dancing at 6. He used to accompany his sister to her ballet classes. This is where his passion for dance began. The ballet teacher didn’t want to accept him as the only boy in the class. But his mother, Heloisa Helena, decided that he should try.

Heloisa Helena: "The teacher, you know, didn't really accept it because he was the only boy at school – at the ballet school. And, you know, let’s try. We decided to try. I felt like he really wanted it. And then, from his first day in the social project – he was about five to six years old – he hasn't stopped since."

The kids in the community made fun of Cardoso for going to ballet lessons instead of playing football. But he never gave up on his dream. By chance, Cardoso met a customer at his mother’s work. He invited Cardoso to try for a place at an academy in the rich part of the city. Cardoso impressed them and got a scholarship to study there. He was the only black boy amongst his white female classmates.

Dyhan Cardoso: "At the beginning there was the issue of friends making fun. But as I was raised well, I responded and made fun of them back. So it didn't affect me, you know? I think we can't let it affect us. If it's what you want, if it's your dream, you need to go after it and achieve it, you know? Which is also a form of response."

Cardoso’s hard work has paid off. The Atlanta Ballet company was searching for new talent in Brazil and he tried out and got selected. The director of the company was impressed. He commented on Cardoso’s excellent performance.

But Cardoso’s ballet teacher Dadyer Aguilera had no doubt he’d do well.

Dadyer Aguilera: "A privileged physique, he has a privileged foot. He has above average technical conditions. He can do very difficult steps with extraordinary quality and very refined aesthetic beauty."