Interviews
Vincenzo Di Primo’s Career On Point
Jemima Hunter
May 7, 2021
Sicilian born Vincenzo Di Primo appeared on the ballet scene from the age of eight years old. He has since earned first position at the Prix de Lausanne whilst pirouetting his way to centre stage at The Royal Ballet.
Di Primo discovered his passion for dance as an adolescent, feeling a strong connection with music. With his parents’ support, Di Primo channelled his love for Latin dance which soon progressed to hip-hop. It was only at the age of ten that he got involved in the classical and contemporary area of dance.
‘Once I started taking classes and learning more, every day I would perform for my parents at home. As I grew up, my parents continued to see my passion; they supported me and made personal sacrifices to help me achieve my goals as a dancer.’
Les Ballet School, based in Catania was the first training academy he participated in. After competing all around Italy in dance competitions, it was in Florence in 2011 that Di Primo’s dream came true when he was offered a scholarship to attend the Vienna State Opera Ballet Academy, after catching the attention of the School’s Director. At fourteen Di Primo started to refine and perfect his rhythm, whilst on the programme; communicating with his body ‘instead of (using) words.’
Competing around the world at this time, the ballet dancer attracted a lot of attention, winning prizes at Youth America Grand Prix, Prix de Lausanne in Switzerlandand the Beijing International Ballet Competition. Graduating from the academy at eighteen, Di Primo relocated to London, where he teamed up with the Royal Ballet School as an apprentice; later partaking in Amici, an Italian televised talent competition in 2019.
At twenty-three, working hard to maintain his name on the ballet scene, Vincenzo Di Primo believes ‘It’s a balance of keeping your mind and body in shape and prepared. You are typically rehearsing 8 hours a day, 6 days per week, or performing 1-2 shows per day, for 2 weeks straight.’ A company which Di Primo admired for many years, Complexions Contemporary Ballet in NYC offered him a position and by accepting it he accomplished his long-life aspiration.
‘The most important thing for me when I perform is ensuring that I am being true and stripped down emotionally as a dancer; syncing my emotions with my body and connecting to the audience without a filter’ Di Primo exclaimed with a goal to ‘follow your gut and suppress the fear of how people will react.’
Di Primo’s consistent practice, connection to music and experience with competition in the industry is what drives him to continuous victory. ‘You never finish perfecting your technique, and the more you learn, the more you realise how much more there is to learn.’
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