Silvia Jimenez

Biography: Silvia was born in Spain. She trained with Victor Ullate in Madrid, at the Ecole de Danse Classique Princese Grace in Monte-Carlo and finished her studies at the John Cranko School in Stuttgart. She competed in the Prix de Lausanne in 1990 and got offered a scholarship to Maurice Bejart Mudra School. After graduating from John Cranko School, she was offered to join Stuttgart Ballet under the direction of Marcia Haydee, where she stayed for 5 years. Silvia danced in many ballets by internationally acclaimed choreographers like John Cranko, Hans van Manen, William Forsythe, Uwe Scholtz, Nacho Duato, Renato Zanella, Stephan Toss, Roberto de Oliveira, amongst others. She performed principal roles in Marcia Haydee’s Sleeping Beauty and “Isabella” in Sir David Bintley’s creation of Edward II for the company. In 1996 Silvia was offered a Soloist contract with Birmingham Royal Ballet under David Bintley’s leadership. She was soon after promoted to Senior Soloist and danced many of the company’s extensive repertoire including the leading roles in many Balanchine ballets like Prodigal Son, Apollo, Four Temperaments and Agon to name a few. She also performed main roles in Sir Kenneth MacMillan (Elite Syncopations) and ‘Lady Elgar’ in Enigma Variations by Sir Frederick Ashton as well as the “Black Queen” in Dame Ninette de Valois Checkmate. Silvia also danced solo and principal roles in most of Sir Peter Wright’s productions including Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. She has also worked with choreographers like Stanton Welch or Twyla Tharp. Under Bintley’s directorship Silvia danced and created many roles of his choreographic repertoire like Carmina Burana, Edward II, Arthur, The Seasons, Hobson’s Choice, Shakespeare Suite, Nutcracker Sweeties, Beauty and the Beast amongst others. Silvia has been invited as a guest dancer to Japan, Spain, Taiwan and Italy and has danced in most of the main theatres in the world. She has also had the opportunity to train with a vast number of teachers and experience many teaching styles. After more than 18 years as a professional dancer Silvia retired in 2008 and has been teaching students and professional dancers since.