Do you know Marianela Núñez?

As an adult ballet dancer, you have likely heard some big names of ballet. Let's see: Maya Plisetskaya, Anna Pavlova, Rudolf Nureyev, or Margot Fonteyn (if you're lucky). Maybe you even came across Audrey Hepburn's story of doing ballet before her acting career. Some of these are over 100 years old now and there is now a volume of ballet dancers (both retired and active) who deserve to be known for their achievements and that may be an inspiration for your adult ballet class efforts. Let's introduce some of these to you as part of this new blog series.

We start with no smaller name than Marianela Núñez.

Marianela's name shines brightly in the world of ballet, yet she remains a figure who might not be as familiar to some adult ballet enthusiasts. Born on March 23, 1982, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Núñez began her journey into dance at the age of three. Her early training at the Teatro Colón Ballet School in Buenos Aires set the foundation for what would become an extraordinary career. By the age of 14, she was already dancing with the Teatro Colón Ballet company, performing corps de ballet and soloist roles while touring internationally. Her talent was already showing, and at just 15, she auditioned for The Royal Ballet during their tour in Los Angeles. Though too young to work in the UK at the time, she joined The Royal Ballet School and officially became part of The Royal Ballet company in 1998. By 18, she was promoted to First Soloist and by 20, she had risen to the rank of principal dancer. Such a fast career progression remains rare even today.

A Career of Distinction

Núñez's repertoire is vast and diverse, encompassing classical masterpieces like Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Romeo and Juliet, as well as contemporary works by choreographers such as Wayne McGregor and Christopher Wheeldon. Her artistry has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance (2013) and multiple Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards. She was even honoured with an OBE in 2025 for her contributions to ballet.

What sets Núñez apart is her extraordinary, solid technique paired with a natural grace that makes every movement appear effortless. Critics often describe her as "the ballerina with no weakness," a testament to her versatility across roles ranging from the powerful Gamzatti in La Bayadère to the delicate Giselle. Her performances are the perfect and unique blend of technical mastery and a profound emotional connection to each character she portrays.

Marianela Nuñez in Christopher Wheeldon’s Aeternum. Photo by Bill Cooper

Training Routine

Marianela emphasizes the importance of a balanced training routine to maintain her physical and mental well-being. She shared some of her approaches with Gramilano during Covid lockdown periods where she shared that Pilates is a must for her, helping her body function correctly and preventing pain. At the time she was taking online Pilates sessions three times a week with Luciana Ravizzi, an Argentinian teacher and friend from The Royal Ballet School.

She also practices meditation as she shared in an interview with Citizens of Humanity: "My boyfriend Alejandro is a genius, and he got me started in meditation and mindfulness. Those things have helped me very much. I could be in a dance studio for nine straight hours and you won’t see me disconnected at any moment. I’m there, present. Dance connects me with mindfulness and meditation right away. I can feel that I meditate while I dance."

You see? It's easy – Pilates, mindful meditation, daily ballet training at The Royal Ballet and nine hours in a ballet studio.

Why You Should Know Her

I first saw Marianela perform over two decades ago when The Royal Ballet toured Australia. At the time, she was still in the corps de ballet, but even then, she stood out. I remember thinking that this dancer at the back of the stage should already be a soloist.

Her strength and control on stage are mesmerizing—every step executed with precision and elegance. Núñez brought something refreshingly different to the stage after an era in which many dancers were striving for extreme extensions and high legs inspired by Sylvie Guillem.

Her ability to combine strength with grace has remained one of her defining features throughout her career. Whether it's her impeccable balance or her ability to linger on a movement just long enough to captivate an audience, Núñez embodies everything that makes ballet magical.

In an interview with Dance Magazine she said: “I did everything at the right time,” she says. “The way the roles came my way, even my guesting. I started guesting quite late on in my career and that helped me stay free from injuries. I feel sometimes people are too young, they travel the world, they do all the repertoire,” she said. “They are 28 and you look at them and, well, you can see that it’s not fresh anymore.”

Marianela Núñez in Grand Pas Classique. Photo by Vincenzo Cositore

Over the past 25 years of her career, she never missed a season and remained without a serious injury. That, in itself, is an achievement showing the level of control and careful training and conditioning routine.

She is not only an inspiration for aspiring dancers but also a reminder of how dedication and passion can lead to greatness. Her journey from Buenos Aires to becoming one of The Royal Ballet’s most celebrated stars is a story of perseverance, talent, and love for her craft.

A short film by Andy Margetson featuring dancer Marianela Núñez

Awards

• Best Female Dancer at the Critics' Circle National Dance Awards, 2005, 2012, 2018 and 2022

• Konex de Platino for Best Dancer of the Decade in Argentina, 2009

• María Ruanova Award, 2011

• Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance, 2013

• Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to dance in His Majesty The King’s New Year’s Honours, 2025