Ruan Galdino

Ruan Galdino is a Brazilian-born, South Africa–based professional ballet artist, creative leader, and educator whose career bridges classical ballet, contemporary performance, and arts leadership.

He received his foundational training in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at Colégio Pedro II, Escola Estadual de Dança Maria Olenewa, and BalletARJ Escola de Dança, and continued his international development through summer programmes at Orlando Ballet and on scholarship at the American Academy of Ballet in New York. Ruan also competed internationally at the Youth America Grand Prix (New York) and the World Ballet Competition.
 

In 2015, Ruan joined Joburg Ballet, where he rose through the ranks and performed leading and principal roles in major classical productions, including The Sleeping Beauty (Prince Désiré), Giselle, Don Quixote, Raymonda, Carmen, The Nutcracker, Snow White, and the Bluebird pas de deux. He later served as a Principal Dancer with the company. His career further includes international performances, guest appearances, competitions, and gala performances across Brazil, the United States, Europe, and Africa.

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Ruan is a co-founder of Blacks in Ballet, an international initiative dedicated to representation, education, and opportunity for dancers of colour within the ballet industry. He is a Naledi Theatre Awards nominee (2025) for Best Performance in a Dance, Physical Theatre & Ballet Production and was also nominated for Forbes 30 Under 30 (2025).

As a First Artist and Marketing Manager with WGRUV Dance Company, Ruan contributes through performance, mentorship, coaching, and brand development, using dance as a powerful vehicle for artistic excellence and impact beyond the stage.