Christine Schwaner

Christine Schwaner started her ballet studies in Brazil, with Maria Clara Salles, where she graduated with honors from the method of Royal Academy of Dance, London. She also received lessons and was coached by Professor Carlos Leite, Mercedes Beltran, Graca Sales and Gustavo Molajoli, among others. At age of 17, she was a finalist at the New York International Ballet Competition, where she also was invited to join former Cleveland Ballet. Ms. Schwaner joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 2006, where she became a principal dancer, and retired in 2014. She is married to Alexandre Silva, retired soloist of PBT. In 2015, Ms. Schwaner became certified in progressing Ballet Technique, an innovating method developed in Australia for the assistance and strengthening of the muscles used in classical ballet, also serving as injury prevention. For Ms. Schwaner, teaching is a validation that all her hard work as a ballet student, and her 20+ year career as a professional dancer, can be used to help and inspire new generations of ballet students.