Alia El Neyadi is considered the “first” Emirati ballet s...

The National
  • Alia El Neyadi is considered the “first” Emirati ballet star.
    Alia El Neyadi is considered the “first” Emirati ballet star.
  • At the age of 22, the “first” Emirati ballet star was contemplating a career change, and had decided to sacrifice her first love for an office job.
    At the age of 22, the “first” Emirati ballet star was contemplating a career change, and had decided to sacrifice her first love for an office job.
  • In truth, Al Neyadi’s “retirement” did not last long. After eight months off the stage, she was dancing again.
    In truth, Al Neyadi’s “retirement” did not last long. After eight months off the stage, she was dancing again.
  • She is now preparing to perform alongside the historic Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theatre at Emirates Palace, on Friday, April 20, in the Abu Dhabi Classics’ season closing concert.
    She is now preparing to perform alongside the historic Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theatre at Emirates Palace, on Friday, April 20, in the Abu Dhabi Classics’ season closing concert.
  • Onstage since the age of eight, Al Neyadi, front left, was billed as the “first Emirati ballerina” while still a teenager.
    Onstage since the age of eight, Al Neyadi, front left, was billed as the “first Emirati ballerina” while still a teenager.
  • “I really was retiring – I was about to put my shoes down and say, ‘it’s time for me’,” remembers the 24-year-old. “But, I just missed dancing. I knew that I had to come back, and I had to do something completely different – and this is the plan that came out of it: Why don’t I be a part of a very well-known ballet, with very well-known dancers? I was like, ‘OK, let me do that’.”
    “I really was retiring – I was about to put my shoes down and say, ‘it’s time for me’,” remembers the 24-year-old. “But, I just missed dancing. I knew that I had to come back, and I had to do something completely different – and this is the plan that came out of it: Why don’t I be a part of a very well-known ballet, with very well-known dancers? I was like, ‘OK, let me do that’.”