Introduce yourself.
My name is Fernando Montaño, I’m twenty seven years old and I am a ballet dancer with The Royal Ballet.
Where do you come from?
I’m from Buenaventura on the Pacific coast of Colombia. Colombians are always very happy, friendly, like to dance salsa a lot. We are very hardworking and passionate about what we do.
What was your earliest memory?
I remember the day when I told my mum that I wanted to be a dancer.
How did you get into the activity for which you have become a LUKAS finalist?
I loved Ballet when I was a kid, and got to study at the National Ballet School of Cuba, where I won several prizes at the International Ballet Contest in Havana Cuba, and then joined the Cuban National Ballet. I also trained at La Scala and Teatro Nuovo di Torino, Italy. In 2006 I joined the Royal Ballet, and in 2010 I was promoted to First Artist. I’ve performed for The Queen and Michele Obama, am a model for Vivienne Westwood and He is now a Global Ambassador for Pearson.
Fernando is the Patron of the charity ‘Children of the Andes’ and was the face of their 2012 Christmas appeal.
How did you end up in the UK?
While I was working in Italy at La Scala and Teatro Nuovo di Torino I was spotted by the Director of the English Ballet School, Jane Hucker, and she invited me to come over to the UK to audition for English National Ballet and the Royal Ballet
Who has been the most influential figure in shaping you and your art?
My family, and especially my mum, and all my teachers and in the last 4 years. My mentor Dame Vivenne Westwood.
What was it about this activity that you so fell in love with?
Being able to express myself through a combination of music, movement, drama and beauty.
Describe one thing you like about the London scene you are in, one thing you dislike
I like the fact that I am in a cosmopolitan city and the freedom I have here
What were the most difficult obstacles that you had to overcome to excel in what you do and get to where you've got to in your particular activity?
It was difficult not speaking English when I first arrived.
Describe one setback and one breakthrough?
My mother’s death when I first arrived in the UK. My love of dance and my ability allowed me to make a succeessful career.
How do you find the UK audience for what you do compared to others, and attitudes of people here in general?
UK audiences are very polite and very generous. Since I first arrived in the UK I have felt that British people care about me and I’ve found some very special people who have supported me in the hard times and the good times and I will always try my best to make them proud of me and thank them enormously.
What has kept you driven?
My self-belief and the determination to achieve big things in my life.
What makes you happy?
Being able to deliver a good performance and when I go to bed knowing I have learnt something new and positive. Prejudice of any kind makes me unhappy and angry.
The living person you most admire and why?
I don’t have one because I think everybody has something which can be admired and personally I’m always learning from people.
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
To the time of El Dorado
What song would you like at your funeral?
Handel ‘Lascia ch’e io Pianga’
Tell us a secret.
A secret is a secret.
