Joburg Ballet: Two Principal Dancers Take to the Stage One Last Time
Two of Joburg Ballet’s principal dancers – Shannon Glover and Nicole Ferreira-Dill – will be dancing in their farewell performances come August. They have both had wonderful careers and we just had to know… What now?
Shannon originally chose ballet because the artform captivated her with its beauty grace and emotional expression. “The discipline and artistry of ballet drew me in immediately, and I knew it was my true calling.”
Nicole says she wanted to be a professional ballerina from a young age. In fact, she remembers how her mother took her to the State Theatre to watch PACT Ballet. “These early memories encouraged me to put all my focus, energy and time into ballet. I really feel that ballet chose me!”
Yet, Nicole and Shannon tell us that they believe now is the right time for them to retire.
“I have had the most beautiful career and I have lived out my passion. I feel I am still dancing at a very high level and this is how I want to be remembered. I also want to start a family soon and give my personal life more time,” says Nicole.
Shannon echoes that sentiment, sharing that after twenty years in ballet – thirteen of which were spent as principal ballerina – she feels it’s the right time for her to focus on her family. “My daughter is growing up quickly and I want to be more present in her life. Ballet has demanded so much of my time and energy, and while it has been incredibly rewarding, I now want to dedicate myself to my family and possibly expand it.”
And, as emotional as it might be, we appreciate their reasoning and applaud them for putting their families first.
But will they continue dancing?
While she is retiring from stage, Shannon says she plans to stay connected to the world of ballet. “I hope to share my knowledge and experience by mentoring young dancers, helping them navigate their own careers.” Additionally, she is interested in pursuing artistic direction, which would allow her to contribute creatively to the ballet community. That way, she can continue to be involved in ballet while also having the flexibility to focus on her family. “Most importantly, I aim to find a new balance in my life that includes more family time and personal growth,” says Shannon.
Nicole, who has been with Joburg Ballet for seventeen years, says you can never say never. “Anything can happen,” she says, adding that things could change in the future. “But, at the moment I am retiring from the stage and hanging up my pointe shoes. She herself has built up a wealth of knowledge and professional experience over the years and she plans on continuing to work in the ballet industry. “One of my strongest attributes has always been my strong mind. I am very interested in the psychology and mental side of being a professional athlete and artist. This is another field for me to explore and now I will have more time to educate myself on it.”
Quality careers
Both Shannon and Nicole are impeccable dancers who have proven themselves in the industry time and again. “My career at Joburg Ballet has been a remarkable journey,” says Shannon, “marked by artistic growth, memorable performances and a profound sense of fulfilment, all driven by a deep passion for dance and unwavering dedication to my craft.”
At the same time, Nicole’s time at Joburg Ballet was amazing too and she loved every minute of it. “I am grateful that I was able to live out my passion and have my dreams come true as a ballet dancer. I am immensely proud of my career and achieving the title of Principal Dancer.”
A Grande Finale for two Joburg Ballet dancers
If there are two individuals who know about a Grande Finale on stage, it’s Shannon Glover and Nicole Ferreira-Dill. Ultimately, you needn’t expect anything less of their farewell performances, which are due to take place at The Teatro at Montecasino early in August.
“I expect the final performances to be a deeply emotional and fulfilling experience,” says Shannon. “It will be a chance to reflect on my journey and share my love for ballet with the audience one last time. I hope to leave a lasting impression and inspire others with the same passion and dedication that have driven me throughout my career. It’s a celebration of everything I’ve achieved and the perfect way to say goodbye to the stage.”
Nicole hopes to live in the moment and enjoy every second of her final performance. “I want to leave my heart on stage and I am hoping that my final performance will be enjoyed and remembered by the audience.”
To aspiring ballerinas out there…
“Stay committed to your training, remain resilient in the face of challenges and always keep your passion for dance alive,” says Shannon. “It’s important to take care of your physical and mental well-being and find a healthy balance between your professional ambitions and personal life. Never lose sight of why you started dancing in the first place, and let that passion drive you to achieve your dreams.”
Nicole says, for her, being a ballerina is the best career in the world. “If you really want it, go for it!” she exclaims. “You have to have the mindset to want to improve every day and you certainly have to put in an immense amount of hard work. Stay focused, stay dedicated, stay passionate and never stop learning.”
Ballet is NOT dead
Shannon says that she hopes to see the true art of ballet and the classics continue to thrive and remain central to the repertoire, as these ballets are truly spectacular and celebrated worldwide. “They provide a foundation of excellence and timeless beauty that can inspire both dancers and audiences,” she says. Furthermore, she dreams of increased support and recognition for ballet in South Africa, leading to more opportunities for young dancers to train and perform. “For Joburg Ballet, I envision continued innovation and growth, producing high-quality performances that attract international attention while staying true to the rich traditions of classical ballet. My dream is for ballet in South Africa to be a source of pride and cultural enrichment for the entire community.”
Nicole wishes for the art of ballet to become more and more popular and to receive more recognition locally. “Ultimately, ballet dancers are elite athletes, but we are also artists who tell a story with our bodies.” She wants Joburg Ballet to grow and become a world-class ballet destination, which she believes will lead to better funding and create more opportunities for South African dancers.
For Shannon, it was the experiences, the challenges and the triumphs within her career as ballet dancer that shaped her into the person she is today. “I am grateful for every moment on this incredible journey.”
Would Nicole do it all again? “Yes, in a heartbeat!”
See these Joburg Ballet dancers on stage one last time
While each ballet has offered unique challenges and joys – whether it were emotional depth of a dramatic role, the technical demands of a classical piece or the sheer beauty of the choreography and music – Shannon’s last performance will surely hold much of this and more.
Nicole always just wanted to dance the dual role of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake. That dream came true, but she later found another ballet role that completely stole her heart: Camille in Veronica Paeper’s La Traviata. Now, you can watch Nicole Ferreira-Dill dance her heart out in her favourite ballet – La Traviata: The Ballet – one last time, on 3 August 2024 at 15:00.
Shannon Glover will be performing on Friday, 2 August at 20:00, with her farewell performance to take place on Sunday, 4 August at 15:00.
Tickets are available on Webtickets, with normal tickets costing anything between R220 and R450.
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