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Fernando Montaño: Expression Through Art
British-Colombian dancer and artist Fernando Montaño is Leonie Mellinger’s guest in the final episode of the series. In Christmas week, Fernando talks about what it is like to perform in The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House.
Born and brought up in very difficult financial circumstances in Colombia, Fernando began his ballet journey in Cali before earning scholarships to the Cuban National Ballet School and at La Scala in Milan.
Despite having to audition in complete silence, he was next invited to join the Royal Ballet, making his Covent Garden debut in 2006.
Fernando became the first Colombian - and one of the few black dancers at the time - to join the company. He performed with them for 15 years, rising to soloist and then principal.
He has subsequently danced as a guest principal with leading companies across the world, including major performances in France, USA, Cuba, Italy, Peru and Colombia. And he has expanded his artistic passions with his own fashion and jewellery collections.
In this fascinating and thoughtful interview, Fernando tells Leonie about his background and career and why dance and art are so important to his life. He now creates artwork through dance and has become a self-taught sculptor.
He speaks about suffering from anxiety about his colour while at the Royal Ballet and how, for several years, even tried to lighten his skin. Fernando reflects on how he’s been able to use his profile to champion causes he’s passionate about, including the work of the Marine Conservation Society.
Fernando discusses becoming friends with Vivienne Westwood and making global headlines when flown to Bogota by President Santos to perform an extraordinary private dance for the then Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in the Colombian presidential palace!
If you would like to discuss sponsorship or advertising on The Courage to Speak, please email the podcast team: [email protected].
Follow us: on Instagram @the_couragetospeak and @leoniemellinger or Leonie’s X and LinkedIn accounts.
The Courage to Speak is from Leonie Mellinger Ltd.
It is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick.
Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.
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By Leonie MellingerBritish-Colombian dancer and artist Fernando Montaño is Leonie Mellinger’s guest in the final episode of the series. In Christmas week, Fernando talks about what it is like to perform in The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House.
Born and brought up in very difficult financial circumstances in Colombia, Fernando began his ballet journey in Cali before earning scholarships to the Cuban National Ballet School and at La Scala in Milan.
Despite having to audition in complete silence, he was next invited to join the Royal Ballet, making his Covent Garden debut in 2006.
Fernando became the first Colombian - and one of the few black dancers at the time - to join the company. He performed with them for 15 years, rising to soloist and then principal.
He has subsequently danced as a guest principal with leading companies across the world, including major performances in France, USA, Cuba, Italy, Peru and Colombia. And he has expanded his artistic passions with his own fashion and jewellery collections.
In this fascinating and thoughtful interview, Fernando tells Leonie about his background and career and why dance and art are so important to his life. He now creates artwork through dance and has become a self-taught sculptor.
He speaks about suffering from anxiety about his colour while at the Royal Ballet and how, for several years, even tried to lighten his skin. Fernando reflects on how he’s been able to use his profile to champion causes he’s passionate about, including the work of the Marine Conservation Society.
Fernando discusses becoming friends with Vivienne Westwood and making global headlines when flown to Bogota by President Santos to perform an extraordinary private dance for the then Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in the Colombian presidential palace!
If you would like to discuss sponsorship or advertising on The Courage to Speak, please email the podcast team: [email protected].
Follow us: on Instagram @the_couragetospeak and @leoniemellinger or Leonie’s X and LinkedIn accounts.
The Courage to Speak is from Leonie Mellinger Ltd.
It is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick.
Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.