Former Colón dancer exposes mistreatment in ballet after career-ending injury

Aldana Vaulet's journey from a promising young ballet dancer at the renowned Teatro Colón to an investigator of mistreatment in the dance world is a story of personal resilience and advocacy. Her passion for dance began at age six, leading her to the Municipal School of Dances José Neglia in Morón. Her talent was quickly recognized, earning her the diploma for best student in her first year and a recommendation to audition for the Teatro Colón.

Upon entering the Superior Institute of Art of the Teatro Colón, Vaulet experienced an environment of extreme discipline and an obsession with perfection. She recalls teachers selecting students for performances, emphasizing a strict code of conduct: no talking, playing, or laughing, and avoiding food before shows. Despite the tense atmosphere and intolerance for error, she embraced the demands, viewing it as part of the system she had chosen.

The physical demands intensified as her body developed. A diagnosis of scoliosis led to her being fitted with a corrective corset, a change that was not well-received by one of her instructors. This incident, coupled with the inherent pressures of adolescent physical changes, became a catalyst for the development of eating disorders among young dancers in training, an issue Vaulet now actively investigates.

Her early professionalization required significant sacrifices from her and her family. Her parents juggled work to transport her daily from Ituzaingó to the city for classes, and she eventually moved into shared accommodation to ease their burden and improve her rest. The pressure to maintain a specific physique, exemplified by the instructor's ultimatum – "If you don't lose 5 kilos, you're out" – highlights the harsh realities faced by aspiring dancers, realities Vaulet is now determined to expose and rectify.