Sabrina was born in Rome and trained at the Opera of Rome before completing her studies at the Académie de Danse Classique de Monte Carlo. She then joined the Stuttgart Ballet, where she spent 11 years and rose to the rank of principal dancer. Following this, she danced with the Birmingham Royal Ballet for eight years before retiring from the stage. Sabrina went on to teach at Houston Ballet for 13 years, serving as a main teacher and ballet master with the second company. For the past nine years, she has been a valued member of The Australian Ballet School.
What inspired you to pursue a career in dance teaching?
It happened by chance. I was pursuing teaching Pilates and body conditioning when I was invited to work with the principal at Houston Ballet, and I loved it.
Do you tend to specialise in a particular age group or level? Why does that stage of development appeal to you?
My passion is Level 6 (Year 10 equivalent) because it's a stage where technically we develop the dancers to have a bolder and more risk-taking approach, and the elements that we specifically teach in that year level are quite demanding.
How do you approach balancing technical training with developing each student’s individual artistry?
Within the combinations that I try to give the students in class, there is always an aspect of dancing or port de bras, use of the upper body or head, and there is a particular flavour to the combination itself, which can mirror them artistically. So it can be a ballet like Don Quixote or Aurora, it can be lyrical, or it can be more dynamic.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching dance?
Students inspire me and keep the love of ballet alive for me through their passion, through their openness, through their dreams and possibilities.
In your view, what qualities make an effective and inspiring dance teacher today?
Continued personal growth. As a teacher, I think you need to invest in your students, each one of them. Be curious about them as people, have a sense of humour, and not take it too seriously.
How has dance training changed since you were a student? Are there aspects you wish had existed back then?
It was much more strict and the emphasis was less on the individual students. That has radically changed. Now students are empowered to find themselves within the profession. They are supported by cross-training, cross-education such as nutrition, strengthening programs, psychology, and access to an incredible health team to work on their body. We did not have any of that.
If you could pass on just one lasting piece of advice to your students, what would it be?
Don’t compare yourself. Learn by watching your peers but focus on your own development and your own self.