Mara Galeazzi

Mara is an Italian ballerina and former principal dancer of The Royal Ballet. After graduating from Italy’s La Scala Theatre Ballet School, Mara joined The Royal Ballet in 1992, the first dancer to do so who had not graduated from the Royal Ballet School.

During her twenty-one year career in The Royal Ballet, Mara shared the stage with the iconic dancers of her era where her breadth of appeal and dramatic performances attracted world attention. Mara’s achievements include a nomination for Best Female Dancer at the 2003 National Dance Awards, membership of Soroptimist International in 2005, and the 2006 Danza & Danza Award for Best Italian Dancer Abroad. In 2009 the Italian President awarded Mara with the Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (OMRI), the equivalent of a British knighthood.

In 2007, Mara formed the charity Dancing for the Children, which continues to fundraise and attract media attention for African children who suffer in poverty.

Mara left the Royal Ballet in 2012 after nine years as a principal dancer to begin her freelance career, soon returning as a guest artist for The Royal Ballet, performing in numerous international ballet galas, guest appearances, and teaching ballet workshops.

Shadow Aspect was written with photographer Jason Ashwood, who alos created all the imagery for this book.