Abou Rutaysire
Dancer
Kigali, Rwanda
Abou Rutaysire was born in Kigali, Rwanda, and discovered dance through the MindLeaps project, where he began his training in contemporary dance in 2015. His natural talent and determination soon led him to explore classical ballet, developing a strong interest in a discipline that was very different from his initial training. In 2017, his potential was recognized by Chase Johnsey during his work with MindLeaps in Rwanda, encouraging Abou to pursue further training in ballet. His talent later came to the attention of Misty Copeland, who helped him obtain a full scholarship to study at Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, providing him with the opportunity to continue his development within an internationally recognized ballet environment.
In 2023, Abou joined Ballet de Barcelona, taking the next step in his professional career and continuing to develop within a professional company. His background in contemporary dance, combined with his classical ballet training, has allowed him to approach a wide range of choreographic styles and repertoire. Since joining the company, he has performed in productions including Tongues, Giselle, The Nutcracker, and divergents*, gaining experience across both classical and contemporary work.
Among his work with Ballet de Barcelona, his interpretation of Zúñiga in Carmen represents an important opportunity to explore his dramatic and theatrical qualities. The role demands a strong physical presence and an ability to contribute to the dramatic development of the production, allowing Abou to move beyond purely technical demands and engage with the character and narrative of the work.
His continued work in the company’s repertoire has allowed him to strengthen his classical technique while maintaining the expressive qualities developed through his contemporary background. He brings a distinctive physicality, energy, and commitment to the stage, approaching each production with a willingness to continue learning and developing as an artist.
Abou’s journey from discovering dance in Rwanda to pursuing professional training internationally and ultimately joining Ballet de Barcelona reflects a remarkable path of artistic development and determination. Today, he continues to establish himself as a dancer within the company, bringing his individual background and experience to a diverse repertoire while continuing to grow technically and artistically.