New Girl Crush: Afro-Brazilian Ballerina, Ingrid Silva
Photo: Omar Z. Robles
Women are totally owning the 21st century in sports, entertainment, politics and, of course, dance. The success of Misty Copeland in becoming the first African American female principal dancer has prompted us to muse who will be next to follow in her footsteps.
In our opinion, we believe that this distinction will come from Dance Theatre of Harlem’s own genius dancer, Ingrid Silva. As the daughter of a domestic worker and a retired Air Force employee, the 26-year-old performer grew up in Rio de Janeiro’s Benfica neighborhood, which was a blue collar area not far from the city’s famed Maracanã Stadium.
Much like any young child interested in dance, Ms. Silva was eight years old when she started doing ballet. She went to classes with her brother and worked her way up to professional training by quitting swimming and other sports in order to dedicate herself to dance.
Ingrid attended ballet classes every day after school while growing up. Her accomplishments afforded her an opportunity to move to the United States. Eventually, she arrived to the country at age 19 after obtaining a full scholarship to attend the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She became a full-fledge member in 2013. With over 17 years of dance experience and much success, Ingrid never forgets her roots as a fierce and impassioned Afro-Brazilian performer.
“I come from a favela in Brazil, am black, have a poor family and yet, despite all those odds, I became a ballerina,” she said.
As one of the success stories of the famed Dançando Para Não Dançar program, Ingrid Silva also trained at the Teatro Municipal School and with Deborah Colkers company. Her talented skills, self-assured nature and mature sensibility has enabled the talent to focus solely on her path as a dancer. “I had to get by on my own [when arriving to New York]. That’s when I grew up and learned to appreciate what my parents had taught me,” she said.
Silva didn’t speak a lick of English or know anyone when she first arrived to Gotham. Now, she lives in her own place with her new puppy, and admonishes her fellow Brazilian ballerinas like Ana Botafogo and Cecília Kerche. “I’ve become my own role model. As a black dancer from a [low-income] community in Rio without my parents having the financial means I have to get me there.” Back at the Teatro Municipal school, Ingrid was one of four black dancers in her class of 25. Rio’s premiere ballet company does not have one single black female dancer, and only a handful of black male dancers.
With such a situation, Silva could take her style and grace back home to rule the stage. Saying that racism in ballet “is a shame” because “it’s for everyone,” we hope that that can eventually be moved out of the way to enable her some popular success. “I’m not here [at Dance Theatre of Harlem] because I’m poor,” she said. “I’m here because of my dancing.” Ingrid doesn’t know how many dance opportunities she’d have in Brazil since ballet doesn’t get much recognition, but if you’re interested in knowing more about Ingrid Silva — you can check out her latest and greatest on Twitter and Instagram.
On the following pages, check out some other photos of Ingrid Silva in action.
The post New Girl Crush: Afro-Brazilian Ballerina, Ingrid Silva appeared first on StyleBlazer.
The independent music scene is awash with tales of both burgeoning success and challenging setbacks. In a candid conversation with Shah Cypha on The Grynd Live, Restless Marc offers a deep dive into the life of an independent artist who’s not only producing and performing his own music but also navigating the industry with a distinct sense of identity and purpose. Here we’ll decode the intricacies of his journey, the significance of a robust support system, and the transformative power of perseverance in the music industry.
Building a Brand: The Origin of “Restless Mark”
Embracing Uniqueness
The conversation with Restless Marc starts by delving into **the story behind his moniker**, an essential component of his identity within the music world. Initially known as Mark Erickson, a blend of his given name and father’s name, Marc reveals how “Restless” came into play, originally as part of a collective and later, permanently influencing his personal brand.
*”When you see me, you see dope people.”* This statement reflects Marc’s drive for originality and association with excellence, laying out a commitment to stand out in an industry replete with generic names. It’s not only a choice; it’s a statement. The significance is not lost, as Shah Cypha keenly observes, “*You got to have a name. When people google you, they’ll find you and not somebody else.*”
The Influence of Gaming on Music
An intriguing twist in Marc’s narrative is the **evolution of his stage name from a gaming tag**. The digital realm and its subcultures offer a space for reinvention and experimentation. For Marc, crossing elements from his gaming identity into his musical persona is more than a branding exercise; it’s an organic merging of passions, indicative of how modern artists are often multifaceted individuals.
From Setback to Comeback: Recovering from Loss
The Value of Resilience
In what could be regarded as a devastating blow, Marc recounts the theft of his laptop and the ramifications it had on his music creation process. Here, we witness a crucial theme: **the role of hardship in defining an artist’s path**. Despite the setback, Marc channeled this experience into a form of motivation, reinforcing Shah Cypha’s perspective on the importance of converting negative experiences into positive outcomes.
Continuation Through Creation
The interview delves into the mental and emotional processes that blend **Marc’s personas as a producer and an artist**. Whether it’s producing in the dark to cultivate a specific ambiance or finding unexpected inspiration for lyrics, we see a glimpse into the intimate journey of creation. Marc’s narrative is a testament to the ongoing drive to create, despite obstacles, and the undying belief in oneself common to successful artists.
Ambitions Beyond the Microphone: Restless Marc’s Vision
A Vision for Diversification
As the discussion shifts to future goals, Marc outlines his ambition **to impact various aspects of culture**, including fashion and potentially sports. His intentions to remain independent and to build upon his own brand mirror the forward-thinking ethos of artists like Dr. Dre and Kanye West, who have diversified their reach while simultaneously contributing to their music’s authenticity and intimacy.
Breaking the Mold of an Artist
Tackling the broader implications of a music career, Marc speaks on wanting to exist beyond the music. His blueprint for success elucidates how modern independent artists must cultivate a multi-disciplinary approach to their careers, blending creativity with **business acumen**.
In synthesizing his past experiences with his aspirations, Marc’s trajectory underscores a fundamental shift in the music industry. No longer is it enough to produce hit records—now, artists are challenging themselves to be innovators, influencers, and entrepreneurs.
Restless Marc’s story reveals a reality where victory is not just about endurance but about the expansion of one’s horizons. In sharing his journey, his resilience, and his plans for future conquests, Marc becomes both a product and a prophet of the evolving musical landscape—a restless force in an industry that never sleep
Atlanta-based artist BLKTEMBER emerged onto the music scene with his debut single “Keep In Touch,” released on June 25, 2022. Produced by soundsbysammy and engineered by BLKTEMBER himself, the track is a seamless blend of R&B and pop, showcasing the artist’s versatility and unique sound.
For BLKTEMBER, the motivation behind “Keep In Touch” was sparked by the infectious beat. “Honestly, the beat motivated me. From the very first time I listened to it, I had my idea for the song and I knew I had to finish it,” he shares. This enthusiasm translated into a captivating track that marks his official introduction to the music world.
As BLKTEMBER’s inaugural release, “Keep In Touch” holds a special place in his heart. “This is my first released song, the very first song I invited the world to listen to,” he reflects. With lyrics like “I hate we’re in different places, never been good with patience,” the song captures the essence of longing and connection, resonating with audiences on a deeply personal level. As BLKTEMBER continues to hone his craft, fans can anticipate more soulful melodies and captivating storytelling in his upcoming projects, promising a fusion of R&B, pop, and hip-hop influences.
Stay Connected https://www.instagram.com/blktember/
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