Approaching its centenary in 2027, the Maria Olenewa State School of Dance (EEDMO) is one of the leading institutions in the country. Founded in 1927, it became a true cradle of Brazilian dance. It was created by ballerina Maria Olenewa, a woman ahead of her time, who believed that classical ballet should not be a privilege but a vocation accessible to those with talent and discipline

Linked to the Theatro Municipal of Rio de Janeiro, the EEDMO is the first public ballet school in Brazil and one of the most respected in Latin America. Over its 98-year history, it has trained generations of dancers who became international stars — among them Ana Botafogo, Márcia Haydée, Cecília Kerche, and Dalal Achcar, artists who carried Brazilian ballet to the world’s most prestigious stages.

The program is completely free and offers professional training in classical ballet, combining technique, musicality, dance history, rhythm, and stage expression over a nine-year course. It is both a sanctuary of tradition and a space of transformation — where young dancers discover discipline, artistry, and the power of movement.

Applications are open from October 20 to 31, at the school’s headquarters — Avenida Almirante Barroso, 14/16, in downtown Rio de Janeiro. Children and young people aged 8 to 21 may apply.
The first stage involves document submission; the second, in February 2025, includes a physical and artistic aptitude test. Classes begin in March 2025.

More than a free course, joining the Maria Olenewa School means stepping into the history of Brazilian dance — a legacy built on precision, beauty, and passion, still alive after nearly a century.