DANCER HIGHLIGHT: ANISA SINTERAL

Photo by Beau Pearson

Corps Artist Anisa Sinteral grew up competing in dance and soccer, but eventually fell in love with the art of ballet. Sinteral competed in the Prix de Lausanne, one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, where she also met Artistic Director Adam Sklute. She spent two seasons with the Semperoper Ballet in Dresden, Germany before joining Ballet West II in 2014.

After being promoted to the main Company in 2015, she was not renewed in 2019. She spent two years going to school and teaching, all while recentering herself and redefining her love of ballet. She returned to Ballet West in 2021.

“I’ve now had more opportunities and have never been happier as a dancer and who I am as a person,” said Sinteral, but it was a journey. “Part of my story involves leaving Ballet West and hitting rock bottom. It changed how I am as a person and a dancer.”

“I still had to finish the season when I found out I was being let go. I remember feeling so much heartache, sadness, and confusion,” she said, remembering how she was the last swan in the back of the line for Swan Lake. Her return meant doing Swan Lake again this season, where she performed the role of Big Swan for opening weekend. “It was the most impactful, beautiful, full-circle experience after being let go to now being on stage opening weekend. It was a dream and fulfillment of my entire career.”

“From being tiny Anisa at age 12 being told I was too tall, but kept going, to Anisa at age 25 and fired, but not giving up and continually trying to come back, to now doing dream roles in the same company means everything to me.” Follow Anisa on Instagram @anisuuh