Daielma Decker began her training in music and dance at an early age in her native Brazil. By age 14, she was performing principal roles in classical and contemporary works with Studio de Danças Company. She is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dance in London and holds a degree in Psychology and a graduate degree in Child Psychology from Instituto Metodista de Ensino Superior.
Ms. Decker performed with several prominent companies in Brazil, including Ballet Stagium, Ismael Guiser, and Cisne Negro, and danced as a principal dancer with Opera Paulista.
She later came to the United States on scholarship to study the Russian ballet method at Western Michigan University. During this time, she met Fred Garbo and subsequently joined the Fred Garbo Inflatable Theater Company, touring extensively throughout the United States and internationally. Her performances with the company have taken her to venues and festivals around the world, including the Kennedy Center, New Victory Theater in New York City, the Aspen Dance Festival, and international arts festivals throughout Europe, Canada, and Asia.
In addition to her work with Fred Garbo, Ms. Decker joined Portland Ballet as a principal dancer and later became the company’s resident choreographer. She also directed its performing arts school program for pre-professional dancers and continues her relationship with Portland Ballet as a member of its Advisory Board of Directors.
While living in Chicago, Ms. Decker worked with The Joffrey Ballet, where she taught dancers in the Trainee and Studio Company programs. As a choreographer, her work spans classical ballet and contemporary dance as well as musical theatre, opera, and collaborations with symphony orchestras.
Throughout her career, Ms. Decker has combined her extensive experience as a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator with her academic background in psychology and child development, bringing a thoughtful and well-rounded perspective to the training of young dancers.
