After creating the Cia de Dança do Pantanal (Pantanal Dance Company), OCAMP (Orquestra de Câmara do Pantanal, the Pantanal Chamber Orchestra) and also the Orquestra Jovem (Youth Orchestra), the Instituto Moinho Cultural Sul-Americano created the Cia Infantojuvenil de Dança (Children’s and Youth Dance Company). Last week, a selection process took place for children and adolescents to join the group.

‌A former dancer with the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, teacher Mayda Rivero contributed directly to the creation of the Cia de Dança do Pantanal. Now, she is helping set up the Cia Infantojuvenil. Mayda explains that the intention is to offer solid training to the selected children and adolescents, aged between 7 and 16.

‌“We are very excited and happy about this. Professional companies need to be nurtured with people. The Cia Infantojuvenil is a seed of the Cia de Dança do Pantanal.

It aims to train professionals. It’s truly focused work. If tomorrow they don’t want to keep dancing, they will have had complete training. They can become choreographers, teachers,” she says.

‌In addition to taking part in the selection of participants, Mayda also trained the teachers and structured the entire class methodology. Every month, she will spend a week at Moinho Cultural following the Company’s development. “We will help methodologically for each level of ballet teaching. We are holding meetings and leaving each teacher with the content that should be presented per two-month period and per semester,” the teacher explains.

‌For Moinho Cultural’s executive director, Márcia Rolon, the creation of the company is another milestone in the institution’s history. “I am thrilled with the birth of the Cia Infantojuvenil de Dança here at Moinho Cultural. It is more than just a new dance group; it is a symbol of hope, creativity and opportunity for our talented young people. Dance has the power to transcend barriers and inspire meaningful change. With this Company, we are empowering young people to express their voices, tell their stories and shape the future of our community,” she celebrates.

‌In all, more than 40 children and adolescents took part in the selection process, which took place at Moinho Cultural. One of those selected is Ane’s daughter. “I am proud of her and of the whole process, of everything that has happened up to now. We weren’t from this city and we were welcomed here at Moinho Cultural too. I am happy about this moment, about this achievement, and already happy about everything else that will come during this process,” she celebrated, after learning the selection results.

‌Mother of little Danilo Odin, Mariana celebrated this new phase for the family. “I am very happy. The feeling now, and ever since he was born, is one of great happiness. He is a very dedicated boy. Everything he does, he does with dedication. I teach him that everything he does should be done with dedication and responsibility. Today’s feeling is one of gratitude that Moinho Cultural offers this opportunity, which is for life, for his future. As a mother, I promise to help in every way I can,” she stressed.