Thiago Silva is a Brazilian-born ballet educator, director, and studio builder known for combining high-level training with clear systems that help dancers and schools thrive. He trained at Boca Ballet Theatre in Boca Raton, Florida, under Dan Guin, Jane Tyree, and Helen Greenford. Thiago continued his education with great teachers like Deborah Marquez, Claudia Cravey, Linda Maybarduk, and others. As a performer, he appeared with Boca Ballet Theatre and Arts Dance Generation, and guested in classical and contemporary works including The Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia, Giselle, La Bayadère, The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and George Balanchine’s Serenade alongside American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet principals Julie Kent, Marcelo Gomes, José Manuel Carreño, Daniel Ulbricht, and Irina Dvorovenko. In 2011, he performed a collection of jazz repertoire for the YPO Funding Organization of the Florida Grand Opera in Miami, .

 

Thiago has taught ballet for Rutgers University and, in 2014, he founded BalletCNJ and later NJFAB, and directed both organizations to serve the community and provide high-quality training, performances, and programs. Over 11 years, he structured the school and created systems for an optimal experience for students, families, and staff. He led levelled training and a formal student evaluation process with written feedback and promotion criteria, directed three productions each season, developed community partnerships and demos, and launched off-site programs. He also cultivated international recruitment relationships in Brazil and Ireland and hosted international students in studio programs.

 

Thiago’s students have earned top awards at Youth America Grand Prix and Miami International Ballet Competition, including Hope, Junior Grand Prix, and Grand Prix honors, as well as invitations to international finals. Alumni have received scholarships, trainee positions, and company offers for Paris Opera Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Washington Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet Chicago, among others.

 

For his contributions as an educator and director, Thiago has been recognized with YAGP’s Outstanding Teacher Award, Miami IBC’s Outstanding Teacher Award, and YAGP’s Outstanding School Award. He brings a methodical, student-centered approach to teaching, coaching, judging, and administrative leadership, with a track record of systems that raise training standards, make family communication clear, and keep productions running smoothly.