Tuany Tomas Nascimento is a Brazilian ballet dancer, rhythmic gymnast, and dance teacher. She is the founder and director of Na Ponta dos Pés, a dance school that provides ballet training for underprivileged girls living in the favelas of Complexo do Alemão in Rio de Janeiro.

Biography

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Tuany Nascimento was born and raised in the Complexo do Alemão of northern Rio de Janeiro. She started training in classical ballet and rhythmic gymnastics as a child.[1] She performed as a dancer and gymnast, representing Brazil at international events, including the World Gymnaestrada, until her career was cut short due to a lack of resources.[2][3] She began working as a financial assistant after retiring from gymnastics.[4]

In 2012 she launched Na Ponta dos Pés, a dance project providing classical ballet training for girls ages four to fifteen living in the Morro do Adeus favela of Alemão.[5][6] Her program caters to young women and girls who are from families involved in narcotic wars, extreme poverty, and gang violence.[2][7] The classes are held at an outdoor sports court in the Morro do Adeus.[8][9] The program is free for students, who are required to provide their report cards showing they are enrolled in school and passing their classes in order to be eligible.[10]

In 2017 she and her ballet program were the focus of a Vice documentary titled Ballet and Bullets: Dancing Out of the Favela.[8]

Nascimento lives with her mother, stepfather, and five siblings in a two-bedroom apartment on Adeus hill in the Morro do Adeus.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Love, Allison (17 August 2016). "Beautiful ballet in a violent slum". Cnn.com.
  2. ^ a b "Ballet and Bullets: Dancing Out of the Favela". Pulitzercenter.org. October 26, 2018.
  3. ^ "Dancing for the Future". Nowness.com.
  4. ^ "Ballet Class In Brazil For Young Girls With Good Grades". Vibe.com. June 13, 2016.
  5. ^ Frank, Priscilla (October 4, 2016). "How One Brazilian Dancer Is Changing The Lives Of Young Girls Through Ballet". HuffPost.com.
  6. ^ "Tuany Nascimento – The Influencers". Theinfluencers.us.
  7. ^ "In Brazil, Young Women Are Dancing Toward Better Futures". Uproxx.com. June 13, 2016.
  8. ^ a b Clifton, Jamie; Hindi, Frederick Bernas and Rayan (November 1, 2018). "Ballet and Bullets: The Favela Dance Class Stuck in the Crossfire". Vice.com.
  9. ^ "An Inspiring Story of Ballet in Brazil". Dancespirit.com. March 23, 2017.
  10. ^ "How a Ballet School in the Slums of Brazil Is Changing Girls' Lives". Marieclaire.com. April 27, 2016.
  11. ^ Bernas, Frederick (November 27, 2015). "Pointe break: favela ballet project gives Brazilian girls a chance to dance". Theguardian.com.