Interview with Fernanda Oliveira

With Iconique, Bahamas, 2025 selling fast, we caught up with Lead Principal dancer of the English National Ballet, Fernanda Oliveira.

Read on to discover what Fernanda and her partner, Alejandro Virelles will be dancing at the Old Fort Bay Club, Nassau on 7 & 8 March, 2025.

What are you currently rehearsing / performing?

I’m currently rehearsing for Giselle in preparation for the English National Ballet’s final show of the winter season.

How long you have been working with Matt and the Covent Garden Dance Company?

I’ve known Matt for around 12 years. We’ve worked together on a few projects, but our first performance at Hatch House, was in 2022 when I danced with Fabian Reimair.

What are you looking forward to most about performing at Iconique?

I’m excited to perform for a new audience and share these beautiful pieces. I’ll be performing 3 Prelude by Ben Stevenson and  “Loss” by Ricardo Amarante alongside Alejandro Virelles.

When you’re dancing these works how does it make you feel and what do you hope the audience feels?

I love performing these ballets because opportunities like this don’t come around often; I really hope the audience can feel the joy and emotion they bring.

What are you looking forward to most about performing at Iconique?

It’ll be wonderful to meet new dancers and see the unique energy they bring to the stage.

Many children will be coming to watch the rehearsal on the 6th March - how important are these opportunities for future generations of dancers?

I hope the kids in the audience feel inspired by what we do—I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to share ballet with them.

Can you share something that people don’t know about you?

 I have two kids and I’ve never performed in the Caribbean before.