VRSA: Contemporary Ballet Academy student selected for international dance program

The young dancer Leonor Santos, from the Contemporary Ballet Academy , in Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA), was selected for the YGP Dance LAB 2025, in Barcelona, Spain.

This is one of the most prestigious international intensive dance programs, bringing together talent from around the world and teachers from schools such as The Royal Ballet School (United Kingdom), John Cranko Schule (Germany) and the European School of Ballet (Netherlands).

Leonor Santos has been a student at the Academy since she was three years old and represents the journey of most of her peers: 99% of students begin dancing freely, encouraged by families who believe that art should be part of their children's personal and educational development.

This international distinction marks the third time that a student from the Contemporary Ballet Academy has been selected for this program, consolidating the school's recognition in the European dance scene.

"Leonor represents the essence of what we stand for at our school: an authentic connection to dance, developed with freedom, passion, and persistence. This selection is more than an individual recognition—it is also a celebration of our Academy's mission to develop well-rounded artists who are aware of their potential," notes the dance collective's leadership.

The dancer says, "I was very happy and honored to be selected. Dance has always been a part of my life, and being able to participate in a program of this caliber is a dream that motivates me even more to continue learning and growing."

The Academy of Contemporary Ballet “congratulates itself on this achievement and remains committed to training young artists with rigor, sensitivity and creative freedom.”