Massimo Solazzo began learning ballet at the age of 5 & has been in the industry for nearly 30 years. He is a well-known dancer who has passed all the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) exams, from Primary to Advanced 2.
In 1993, Massimo received a full three-year scholarship to the prestigious Bird College of Performing Arts in London. Over the years, he has worked with renowned teachers such as Frank Freeman, Lynn Wallis, Darren Parrish, Antony Croome, Susan Town, & Dick O’Swamborn, among others. Beyond ballet, Massimo studied character, jazz, modern contemporary, tap, drama, singing, music theory, anatomy, and choreography. He graduated in 1996 with qualifications in Ballet, Choreography, & Musical Theatre, & became an RAD-registered teacher. Massimo has performed in numerous musicals & ballet productions with leading companies across the UK & Europe. He has also been a guest dancer and choreographer for many important competitions and recitals. In 2012, Massimo became an RAD CBTS Tutor & Mentor (Teaching Certificate validated by the Royal Academy of Dance, London). Since then, he has conducted countless workshops, intensive courses, & training sessions in Italy, China, and Switzerland.
In 2014, Massimo completed the Ailey School certification for Horton Pedagogy & Contemporary Dance Teaching in New York, USA, working with Ailey teachers Tracy Inman, Bradley Shelver, & Elisabeth Roxas. That same year, he became the Director of Education & Curriculum Designer at the Duncan Dance Academy in China. He has trained many students & teachers in RAD schools across Hong Kong, China, Singapore, & Malaysia. In 2018, Massimo was appointed an Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance, marking another milestone in his career. By 2020, Massimo became Head of Dance & Ballet Teacher for the Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre & RAD programme at Cambridge Performing Arts College. He also began collaborating with Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge as an Associate Ballet Lecturer for the BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre. In 2024, Massimo joined Arts1 College in Milton Keynes, teaching ballet classes for the Level 6 Diploma, BA in Musical Theatre & RAD programme. He was also appointed Tutor for the Certificate in Dance Teaching (Ballet) (CDT) programme. In 2025, Massimo joined the BA (Hons) in Dance Education Course – at the Royal Academy of Dance – to further improve his knowledge as a dance teacher & Lecturer.
Massimo continues to lead international workshops for teachers & students in the UK, Mexico, & San Diego (USA). Passionate about both dance and teaching, he encourages his students to express themselves while developing strong technical skills, self-awareness, & personal style. He believes that dance is a powerful form of communication & self-expression.