While we often search for the destination, it’s in the journey that we learn so my journey, like most, started very different than how I anticipated it would turn out.
I started my professional career as a dancer at the age of twenty then I approached Gyrotonic because of a knee problem in 2007 and to improve flexibility.
I carried on an international performing activity dancing with ensemble of Imperial Russian Ballet, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, National Theater in Belgrade, National Opera of Olomouc, National Theater of Sibiu, etc. touring all over Italy, Spain, Serbia, Germany, Romania, Czech Republic, Japan, South Korea.
In March 2015, after have been practicing the Gyrotonic Method for about 8 years as a client, I started my journey to become a Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis instructor, studying in Rome with Pietro Gagliardi.
At the same time I started deepening my Yoga practice, reading more about body/mind connections and spiritual philosophy.
My enthusiasm, my desire to share these practices with others and the passion for travelling, led me to travel and share my passion in Asia, where I stayed for about a year: I fulfilled another of my childhood dream.
I was a successful Instructor in different fitness and pilates centers in Tokyo but I was unhappy: too much stress, inhumane working hours with the pressure to live in a society where only if you make lot of money you are successful.
Stefano discovered his passion for Art when he was very young.
He began studying music in Salento, his region of origin, then he approached ballet thanks to Antonella Di Lecce.
He also trained with many ballet masters as C. Palacios, E. Verardi, A. Vergari, J. Borčić.
Stefano joined and graduated from Associazione Italiana Danzatori in Rome in 2005.
Later he furthered his dance education with T. Rigano, V.Litvinov, B. Nikić, D. Ganio in Rome and with M. Besobrasova in Académie de Danse Classique Princesse Grace in Montecarlo.
He completed his physical training with the practice of GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®.
Stefano started his professional career at the age of twenty, he danced in Italy between 2005 and 2010 with: Compagnia Nazionale del Balletto, Balletto del Sud, Compagnia Nazionale Italiana Danza Classica, N. Euroballetto, Balletto di Puglia.
He took part of many projects of Aterballetto directed by A. Cannistrá and danced leading roles.
In 2011 Stefano joined Narodno Pozorište u Beogradu (National Theater of Belgrade), where he worked with Vladimir Vassiliev.
He carried on an international performing activity dancing with ensemble of: Wiener Volksoper, Имперский Русский Балет (Imperial Russian Ballet of Moscow), Teatrul Național de Operă și Balet Oleg Danovski (National Ballet Theater Oleg Danovski), Teatrul de Ballet Sibiu (Sibiu National Ballet), and Moravské Divadlo Olomouc (National Moravian Theater of Olomouc).
Stefano took part at projects: ”Constantinus Magnus - Milanski Edikt 313 - 2013" with choreogrphy of E. Clug; he danced for "New Year's Concert 2015" with Symphonieorchester der Volksoper Wien and danced as a guest in Rieti International Dance Festival.
He toured all over Italy, Spain, Serbia, Germany, Romania, Czech Republic, Japan, South Korea.
He danced ensemble and soloist roles of classical ballet as: Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixotte, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Bayadere, Le Corsaire, Spartacus.
He was also leading in many roles of neoclassical, modern and contemporary dance repertoire: Poluvtsian Dance, Carmen, The Lady of Camelias, Alexandar, Queen Margot, Ko to tamo peva, Peter Pan, Rusalka, Il Piccolo Principe, Cinderella, Onegin, In Volo con Zero, Antichi: Tesori Storie e Leggende d'Italia, Requiem, Bolero, Swaranada - La Notte dei Tamburi, Constantinus Magnus.
Stefano started in parallel career as ballet teacher at the age of twentysix.
He worked as a guest teacher in several ballet studios within Italy, Serbia, Japan and India.
He was invited as guest teacher by some of most prestigious international ballet schools as Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts (India), National Ballet School Lujo Davičo (Serbia), Asami Ballet Class; Studio Croix, I.B. Studio (Japan), Accademia Internazionale di Danza Tersicore (Italia) and in international events as Essence International (India), Experimental (Italy).
Currently Stefano is working as a freelance ballet, pas de deux & repertoire, contemporary teacher, as a GYROTONIC®, GYROKINESIS® Trainer and as Yoga Instructor all over the world.