“We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance for fears, we dance for hopes, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we create the dreams.”

                                                                                                                                                 Albert Einstein

Born in Brazil, Rafaella Sant’Anna started her ballet training at the age of 7.  During the years in Brazil, she took part in international courses, workshops and competitions. At the age of 14, Rafaella was offered a scholarship to attend the Ballet school of the Wiener Staatsoper where she received training in Classical Ballet, Modern Dance, Jazz and Character dance until  1999,  when she received a stage maturity diploma. She joined the Wiener Staatsballett in 2002 where she enjoyed a 13 year career as a professional dancer, dancing in famous ballets such as Swanlake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet and Giselle amongst others.  She also danced in the 2007 New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic.

Artistically she could express herself especially in Neoclassical and Modern pieces like works of Renato Zanella as well as Jiří Kylián's  Petite Mort, András Lukács' Duo, Stephan Thoss‘  Blaubart (in the role of the mother of Blaubart), Patrick de Bana and William Forsythe's The Second Detail.  Also works by Helen Pickett, Roland Petit,  Andrey Kaydanovskyi, Jorma Elo,  Natalia Horecna and  Balanchine

During her career at the Wiener Staatsballet, Rafaella danced under the directorships of Renato Zanella, Gyula Harangozo und Manuel Legris.

During her years as a dancer, Rafaella also gained experience in teaching when she was assisting  Modern Dance workshops.  After having had a couple of knee injuries and surgeries,  Rafaella decided to say farewell to her career as a professional ballet dancer at the Wiener Staatsballet.  Her new career started after she trained in Movement and Dance Pedagogy and her focus is now on teaching  Ballet at various Ballet studios. These include private lessons for advanced ballet students.    She now has the opportunity to share her knowledge and experience with students about the one thing she she has always felt most passionate about, Dance.  Since 2016 Rafaella has been Choreographic assistant and Rehearsal leader at the Ballet Academy of the Wiener Staatsoper.  It is here, where she is the inspiration for many young dancers who dream and aspire to become professional ballet dancers.