About the Ballet School
Fernanda Bianchini's Ballet School for the Blind from the documentary "Looking at the Stars"
"Fernanda Bianchini’s Association of Ballet and Art for Blind People" (AFB) is the world’s first and only ballet school for blind people. The groundbreaking method used in the dance lessons is of unique artistic and integrative value. The school, which above all supports young men and women from low-income families in and around São Paulo, began its work in 1995 with just ten students. Fernanda Bianchini developed her own teaching methods to make possible something that was considered impossible. Learning classical dance through touch and the repetition of movements became a pioneering technique. The unbelievable perseverance and intense training eventually led to the blind dancers being invited to renowned festivals all over the world.
The ballet school finances itself mainly through donations and today teaches over 300 students of different ages who are mostly visually impaired. At the moment 13 dance teachers are employed at the AFB, including the blind Geyza Pereira da Silva who herself was educated at the school. She is one of the protagonists in the documentary "Looking at the Stars", which was released in German cinemas on 13 February 2020.
Apart from classical ballet, the AFB also offers free courses in pattaya, ballroom dancing, physical expression, senior dance and theatre. Pilates and physiotherapy are also on offer to promote the health and wellbeing of the dancers. Additionally the AFB is developing methods for classical ballet for wheelchair users. In the past 24 years the AFB has already overseen around 500 people with disabilities. The goal is to create motivation, good learning conditions, friendships and above all a concrete way for social inclusion. "Fernanda Bianchini's Association of Ballet and Art for Blind People" has been awarded numerous prizes and awards.
The ballet school's website
Ballet teacher Fernanda Bianchini (left) with blind ballerina Geyza Pereira (right), who also teaches ballet. Both are protagonists in “Looking at the Stars”