Junor was born in Rio de Janerio, Brazil and trained at Escola de Danca and English National Ballet School before joining the Company last season in 2008.
Also an Artist of the Company, Junor has already appeared as the Prince in The Nutcracker and with Carlos Acosta in Manchester's International Festival.
Last year Junor performed as a guest artist in South Africa, dancing the title role Albrecht in Giselle. Junor would love to dance the role of Romeo, and was delighted to perform as the Prince in The Nutcracker with Senior Principal Elena Glurdjidze.
Junor will danced Des Grieux's Act I solo from Manon for the Award's Evening. He took inspiration from his first season with the Company when Manon was performed for the very first time. Junor demonstrated his ability to dance and act through MacMillan's difficult and expressive solo.
How does it feel to be nominated for the Emerging Dancer Award?
Well, it was really strange because I just found out when I came back to London after guesting in South Africa. I looked on the website and I was like ‘Oh my God!’ Of course I am really happy, sometimes these things happen, sometimes not. It’s a nice experience for me; I’m looking forward to it.
What do you think the Emerging Dancer should be?
Always when I go to see someone I really like, I never see all the big things they do - all the big tricks, I like to look for the little things, like them just standing on stage and having a great presence. I don’t know what the audience will look for, but I think that the emerging dancer will have that little something that makes them stand out.
I think the award will encourage me, like when you go to a competition. It is a nice feeling; you can look back and feel a sense of achievement. I’m trying to work really hard and try harder to understand my body.
Why do you think you have been nominated?
I don’t know why or what is going on in their (the Principal dancers and other voters) minds. I suppose after just two months in the Company we were doing Sleeping Beauty and I was like ‘whoa’ when I was given the role of Bluebird. And also in my first season I played the Prince in the Nutcracker, and at the same time I was performing in the corps de ballet - it was very tiring but enjoyable.
Do you know what you will be dancing at the Awards evening?
Well yes, I was thinking I would do something with a neo-classical/contemporary style. I love contemporary, I feel free- I don’t know if they will like it. I’m going to talk to Wayne (Artistic Director) about creating a solo, or maybe ask someone to do it for me, but I’ll have to think more about it. I don’t want to do a repertoire piece, the only thing I know is that the music needs to be strong, with great instruments.
I had the chance to choreograph for English National Ballet previously, and won a choreography competition when I was at the School so I really hope to have the chance to do more.
Will you be dancing differently this Autumn knowing people may be voting for you?
I will not change how I dance, I always perform to my best and just enjoy it.
What are dancing in Giselle this Autumn?
I am dancing as the Courtiers and Vine Gatherers this Autumn, and hopefully Albrecht as I’m learning this role. I think the five shows I did as Albrecht in South Africa will help me to build the character and feelings I developed with my partner there. The partnership in Giselle is really important, you need to be in character and really feel all the gestures, I hope to be able to return to South Africa and dance again.
I am also dancing in Men Y Men, it is very different and there are lots of details which require a lot of stamina. Wayne started the choreography for this piece with me and Juan, and we helped to teach the other male dancers in the group, it was a huge privilege having choreography started on your body.
What do you think you can learn from the other nominated dancers?
I think the other dancers nominated all have their unique qualities that make them special to watch. Esteban is ‘wow!’, Anais is wonderful to work with as a partner, very sweet and always calm, Crystal is always happy and has a great personality, Ksenia is very dedicated and precise and Venus is like my sister!
What do you do in preparation for a show?
Before a show I like to listen to my punk music to warm up and talk to people as much as possible. I’m not one of those people who likes to be calm and quiet, it makes me more nervous!
What makes English National Ballet special to work for?
I am really happy to be with English National Ballet, there are lots of opportunities and new works which make it special, and the staff are amazing. It’s like a second family! When I was younger I watched DVDs of Thomas Edur and Agnes Oaks and also Carlos Acosta ‘my hero’, they have all danced at English National Ballet, so it’s very special to me.
If you won the award what do you think you would do with the prize money?
I would be very happy to win the award. I would give the money to my parents so they can travel to London and see me dance.
What did you do over Christmas?
Well I danced the Prince with Elena in The Nutcracker over Christmas, we had a very short rehearsal time but it was really good. At home we had a Christmas tree to decorate and I enjoyed a roast dinner with my friends that graduated from English National Ballet School at the same time I did, they live really close by. The Company also did a Secret Santa and we got little presents to open.
Have you made any new year’s resolutions?
Erm, well of course I want to keep improving with my performances this year, but that is something that I always want to do as a dancer.
Looking back how do you think the Autumn tour went?
It went well I think for the Company. I didn’t perform as much as I wanted to because of a small injury, but it was still great visiting the different cities and theatres and taking my place on stage in the background scenes.
Have you finalised the details for your Emerging Dancer performance?
Yes! I decided just two minutes ago that I will do Des Grieux from Manon, the Act I solo which is around 3 minutes 20 seconds. I have some studio time booked after our two week holiday, so I hope to rehearse with Maina all the expressions and technique.
How are the performances going at the Coliseum?
I have got my warm-up routine for each performance down to a fine art. I have been eating a lot of protein, taking a quick nap and spending lots of time warming-up, and it has felt great to be dancing Men Y Men again. When we finish on Sunday I am hoping to go to Berlin for a couple of days, and also travel around Germany. I’m really looking forward to a complete rest from dancing.
This is an exciting year for the Company as it celebrates its 60th birthday, what would you like to achieve before celebrating your 60th birthday?
I would love to have been a Principal dancer, and have danced the title roles in Romeo & Juliet and also Swan Lake. Although I’m too young to be thinking that far ahead, I just need to keep calm and focused and not make too many plans.
From Manchester
Wednesday 23 September
It was great to sit in the auditorium and watch the premiere of Men Y Men this evening. I felt nervous for the boys, but they all looked incredible. I really enjoyed the evening; the choreography looked great, especially with the view from the dress circle.
Thursday 24 September
I enjoyed performing as a Courtier in the matinee, but wished that I was able to dance Men Y Men. I’m looking forward to getting back on the stage later in the tour, once my injury is much better.
Saturday 25 September
A few of us are staying with Nancy at her home in Manchester, it’s been lovely coming back to such a nice house. Her mum cooked us a yummy English breakfast again this morning!
Sunday 27 September
I have had lots of free time because of my injury and have been able to explore Manchester with my friends that live up here in the North. The other night we went to a private party at the Hilton hotel, where the drinks were very expensive. Later we had some cocktails in a bar called Revolution not far from the theatre and experienced a bit of Manchester’s nightlife!
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