FROM THE SOUTH OF ITALY TO THE WORLD

I come from a small town in the south of Italy, a place where dreams are often quiet, and life is simple. But I always knew I wanted something more. I wanted movement, discovery, and to see the world. I was just 11 years old when I packed my bags and left everything behind, my family, my friends, and the only home I had ever known, to pursue professional dance training in Rome. At that age, most kids are still holding on to childhood. I was taking a leap. I enrolled at the National Dance Academy in Rome, and suddenly, my life was filled with technique classes, rehearsals, and the discipline of becoming a dancer. It wasn’t easy being far from home, navigating a big city, and growing up quickly. But I had a dream, and I knew I had to fight for it. After earning my diploma, I didn’t stop there. I’ve always seen the world as big, and I believe in thinking big in everything I do. So I kept going, first to Berlin, then London, where I studied at The Place, and eventually to New York City, where I completed the Independent Study Program at The Ailey School.

I came to New York for one year. I’ve now been here for over fifteen. Here, I found my dimension, a place where I could evolve as an artist, a woman, a teacher, and a dreamer. New York shaped me not only as a dancer but as a human being. It gave me the space to grow, to connect, and to reimagine what dance could mean on a global scale. Along the way, I trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, and jazz. I performed works by incredible choreographers and studied at prestigious summer programs like Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Random Dance in the UK. I didn’t just train to dance, I trained to understand people, culture, and story through movement. Now, as a teacher and founder, I carry that same passion forward. Every step I took from that little town in Italy led me to build something bigger than myself, a space where dancers from all over the world can connect, share, and grow. This is why One World Dance™ was born. Because the world is big, and dance helps us move through it together.

With love, always moving forward,
Ada Cacciatore
Founder, One World Dance™