Stella Abrera

Om

Om
FYI
Stella Abrera is a principal ballet dancer at American Ballet Theatre. Ballet is both a sport
and a performing arts. So technically Stella Abrera is a athlete.

If you still don’t believe me https://www.roh.org.uk/news/debate-is-ballet-an-art-form-or-a-sport this is my

evidence.
Biography
Stella Abrera is a Filipina-American principal
ballet dancer at one of the most prestigious
dance company in the world, American Ballet
Theatre. She is the youngest of 5 siblings and
her family moved a lot because her father
works as a civil engineer. She had a passion
for ballet at the age of 5 and her family were
really supportive and sent her to ballet
studios. At the age of 17 she joined American
Ballet Theatre as an apprentice. Then she
worked her way up from being an apprentice
to corps de Ballet and soloist. In 2015 she
was promoted to be a principal dancer. Which
is the highest position in a dance company.
(The FilAm)
 Accolades

2017 - Benois de la Danse Nomination for The Sleeping

Beauty

2017 - New York State Assembly recognition for service to

the community

2016 - Woman of the Year recognition from the Philippine

Consulate General in New York

2015 - California State Senate recognition for contributions

to the performing arts

2015 - Appointed as a Principal dancer

1995 - Gold Medal, R.A.D.’s Adeline Genee Awards

(American Ballet Theatre)

 I chose Stella Abrera because she was the first
Filipino-American dancer to get appointed for the principal
Why did I role following Misty Copeland who is the first black principal
dancer of ABT. Ballet always have a racial barrier making
chose this white dancer more likely to get promoted. But when Stella
Stella got promoted it was like a pathway for more asian dancers to
get promoted to one of the most prestigious ballet company.
Abrera? She is also a very inspiring dancer and I really respect her.
During her years of dancing she had a really serious injury.
Her sciatic nerve was damage in her back that causes pain
and numbness in her calves. This injury made her drop to
rock bottom. But she couldn’t give up her long life dream so
she pushed herself and listen to body so she could recover
healthily and become the best dancer she could. That
strength made push through the hard times and soon got
promoted for the principal role. She is truly an inspiring
dancer with hard work and perseverance.
Impact on the sport
Stella made the ballet industry more
diverse. Her success was widely
recognized by many people around the
world. Especially Filipinos because she
was the first Filipino-American to be a
principal dancer and American Ballet
Theatre. This made a pathway for more
asians to have opportunities to reach
their dreams and become a professional
dancer at a prestigious ballet company.
With a more diverse community it
makes more dancers dreams possible. (flickr)
 Charities

They raised money for

In 2013 the Super
school children who
Typhoon Haiyan struck
lost their education.
her home country, the
Soon she went to the
Philippines. It was a
Philippines to perform
total mess and many
Giselle and help the
lives were lost. Stella
children needed and
and the organization
gave them school
Operation USA form a
supplies with the
team called Step
money they raised up.
Forward for the
Philippines to help.
(Ballet Focus)
 Fun facts
Dawn Variation Coppelia

- Stella performances with ABT is

sponsored by Mary Jo and Ted Shen
- She is retiring after 24 of dancing
professionally at ABT
- Known for performing Giselle
- Married to Sascha Radetsky
- All of her performances
https://www.abt.org/people/stella-abrera/?type=performer
(click the picture to take you to a video)
Citations
Brandt, A. (2019, September 17). Stella Abrera Heads to Philippines to Help Victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan. Retrieved from
https://www.pointemagazine.com/stella-abrera-charity-philippines-2412820774.html

Huggins, R. (2015, December 24). You've heard of Misty Copeland. Now meet the other ballerina who made history this year. Retrieved from
https://www.vox.com/2015/12/24/10653956/stella-abrera-ballet

Libbey, P. (2019, October 21). Stella Abrera of American Ballet Theater to Retire in Spring. Retrieved from
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/21/arts/dance/stella-abrera-retiring-from-ABT.html

Smith, C. F. (2019, December 24). American Ballet Theatre's Stella Abrera To Begin New Year As Artistic Director Of Kaatsbaan •
DanceLand. Retrieved from https://dance.land/stella-abrera-kaatsbaan-artistic-director/

Stella Abrera. (2019, October 01). Retrieved from https://www.abt.org/people/stella-abrera/?type=performer

Tablang, K. (2016, August 22). Spotlight on ABT Principal Dancer Stella Abrera. Retrieved from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristintablang/2016/08/08/abt-filipino-american-principal-dancer-stella-abrera-radetsky-american-ballet-theatre/#44ec70
33592e