Dancing Beyond Borders: Stéphane Dalle and the Courage of Iranian Women
In this deeply moving episode of The Artist’s Voice, I speak with Ballet Master Stéphane Dalle about a remarkable life dedicated to dance — both on stage and in the studio.
With an impressive international performance career, Stéphane has danced with renowned companies including English National Ballet, Boston Ballet, Béjart Ballet Lausanne, and Ballet Frankfurt. During his years as a professional dancer, he discovered the transformative power of floor barre — a technique that would later become his life’s passion and vocation.
Today, Stéphane is an internationally respected expert in the Boris Kniaseff floor barre method. He has introduced this profound technique to professional companies and students around the globe, preserving and expanding the legacy of Boris Kniaseff. Rooted in classical ballet principles yet practiced entirely on the floor, the method develops strength, alignment, musicality, and deep body awareness — often creating breakthroughs where traditional training cannot.
In this interview, however, Stéphane shares what he describes as the most touching teaching experience of his career.
He recounts how he was contacted by a group of women from Iran who longed to learn the floor barre method. What began as a simple message evolved into an extraordinary journey of courage and determination. Because of cultural and religious restrictions, it was not possible for them to organize such training openly in Iran. Together, they carefully arranged a safe location outside the country where the workshop could finally take place.
Stéphane speaks with great emotion about meeting these women — artists who carry a deep love for ballet despite the immense cultural and political hardships they endure. He reflects on the history of the Iranian National Ballet, which ceased to exist after the 1979 revolution when the new regime dissolved many artistic institutions. For these women, dance is more than technique; it is memory, identity, and quiet resistance.
The workshop became far more than a training session. It was a space of freedom. A space of dignity. A space where, even for a brief moment, art transported them beyond borders, restrictions, and fear.
This conversation is emotional, heartfelt, and profoundly inspiring. It is a powerful testament to how art unites us across cultures and divides — how the language of the body can speak where words cannot — and how, even in the most challenging circumstances, the human spirit continues to move, to create, and to hope.
A truly unforgettable interview about courage, legacy, and the enduring power of dance.