Luzemberg Santana was born in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. He began his dance training at the age of ten at the prestigious Bolshoi Theater School in Brazil, known for its rigorous training and excellence in ballet. After years of dedication and training, Luzemberg graduated from the Bolshoi Brazil program and embarked on his professional career.

At the age of 18, Luzemberg was offered a corps de ballet contract with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Over five seasons with the company, he performed in a wide variety of classical and contemporary works, showcasing his versatility as a dancer. During his time there, he was entrusted with principal and soloist roles, gaining valuable experience and recognition for his artistry and technical skill.

In 2017, Luzemberg had a brief tenure with Tulsa Ballet, where he danced for one season, further broadening his repertoire and artistic exposure. The following year, in 2018, he joined Houston Ballet, one of the leading ballet companies in the United States. His talent and dedication were quickly recognized, and in 2019 he was promoted to Demi-Soloist. During his five seasons with Houston Ballet, Luzemberg performed an extensive repertoire of classical, neoclassical, and contemporary works, solidifying his reputation as a dynamic and expressive performer.

In 2025, Luzemberg begins an exciting new chapter in his career as a Principal Dancer with Indianapolis Ballet. His move to Indianapolis marks a significant milestone, as he brings his wealth of experience and artistry to the company.

Santana's repertoire includes: Don Quixote (Vladimir Vasiliev - Anna Marie Holmes), The Nutcracker (Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon - Stanton Welch), Swan Lake (Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov - Stanton Welch), Giselle (Peter Wright - Stanton Welch), Sleeping Beauty (Marius Petipa), La Sylphide (Stanton Welch), Coppélia (Ben Stevenson), The Merry Widow (Ronald Hynd), Three Preludes (Ben Stevenson), Romeo and Juliet (Rudi van Dantzig - Stanton Welch), The Concert (Jerome Robbins), Jewels (George Balanchine), Four Seasons (James Kudelka), The Handmaid’s Tale (Lila York), Peter Pan (Jorden Morris), Cinderella (Val Caniparoli), Shibuya Blues (Annabelle Lopez Ochoa), The Green Table (Kurt Jooss), If (Young Soon Hue Simon), Glass Figures (Ma Cong), Going Home Star (Mark Godden), Faerie Queen (John Alleyne), Murmuration (Edwaard Liang), The Letter V (Mark Morris), One/End/One (Jorma Elo), Come In (Aszure Barton).

Throughout his career, Luzemberg Santana has distinguished himself with his powerful stage presence, technical precision, and emotional depth. His journey from a young student at the Bolshoi Theater School in Brazil to a Principal Dancer in the United States is a testament to his passion, discipline, and dedication to the art of ballet. Luzemberg looks forward to continuing to inspire audiences and contributing to the vibrant world of dance.

Sponsored by Madelaine & John Schiering

Photos by: Yuri Gevra