Women - Skills Zamaga 2026

Some performances stay with you long after the lights go out. Not because of a particular choreography or a perfect execution, but because of what they represent in a specific moment of life.

This year’s end-of-year show, Women, was one of those moments for me.

More than the conclusion of an academic year at Skills Zamaga, it marked the end of a chapter that has been deeply meaningful. Just a few days after the performance, I left Milan to begin a new life in Paris. Looking back, stepping onto the stage that evening felt like much more than performing: it felt like celebrating a journey, expressing gratitude, and carrying with me everything that this experience has given me. Throughout these years, Skills Zamaga has been much more than a place to train. It has been a place where I could challenge myself, grow, laugh, and share a passion with people who made me feel welcome from the very beginning. A place that, in many ways, felt like home.

As I prepared for this new chapter, I realized how much strength comes from knowing that certain connections remain, regardless of distance. Les personnes qui nous touchent profondément ne disparaissent jamais vraiment de notre quotidien. Elles voyagent avec nous, dans nos souvenirs, dans ce qu’elles nous ont appris, et dans la personne que nous devenons. Knowing that these friendships and experiences will always be part of my story makes this new beginning feel less intimidating and much more exciting.

Un nouveau départ, une nouvelle ville, une nouvelle vie. Yet this stage reminded me that every ending carries something forward. While a part of my heart remains in Milan, I am equally excited to discover what awaits me in Paris, where I hope to continue cultivating this artistic passion that has given me so much joy, confidence, and inspiration.

Skills Zamaga: More than an aerial arts school

What makes Skills Zamaga special is its ability to transform technical training into artistic storytelling. More than a sports academy, it is a creative environment where aerial arts, dance, theatre, music, and stage production come together.

The annual show is not simply a student recital but a carefully crafted theatrical production. Every choreography contributes to a larger narrative, and every performer becomes part of a collective artistic vision. The result is an experience that often feels much closer to professional theatre than to a traditional end-of-year performance.

Women: celebrating icons, emotions, and identity

The theme of this year’s show, Women, explored the many dimensions of femininity through iconic female figures, historical personalities, and emotional landscapes. Rather than presenting a single definition of womanhood, the performance celebrated its complexity: strength and vulnerability, elegance and rebellion, confidence and uncertainty, joy and resilience.

Each act offered a different perspective, inviting the audience to discover the countless ways women leave their mark on the world and on those around them.

Among the most memorable moments was a powerful tribute to Frida Kahlo, whose story of creativity, independence, and resilience translated beautifully into movement and visual storytelling. Equally striking were the performances dedicated not to a specific individual but to universal emotions and experiences, capturing the many shades of female identity through dance and aerial arts.

Discovering aerial trapeze

One of the highlights of this year was performing on aerial trapeze for the first time.

Playful, dynamic, and at times almost circus-like, trapeze introduced me to a completely different way of moving and performing. For Women, the act was inspired by Jessica Rabbit, an iconic character whose confidence and theatricality made her a perfect fit for the stage.

Combined with the elegance of the aerial silks, the performance created a glamorous atmosphere with subtle burlesque influences, balancing irony, charm, and stage presence.

Elegance in motion: Coco Chanel

Aerial silks performance paid tribute to Coco Chanel, a woman whose influence extends far beyond fashion.

The fluidity of the fabric reflected the elegance, determination, and sophistication that made her such an enduring icon. Accompanied by Laisse-moi t’aimer by Laurie Darmon, the choreography embraced a distinctly French atmosphere, blending haute couture aesthetics with aerial movement. Through climbs, wraps, and suspended sequences, the act sought to celebrate both grace and strength, capturing the spirit of a woman who redefined style and female independence.

A tribute to Italy Musical Tradition: Ornella Vanoni

On the aerial hoop, we paid tribute to one of Italy’s most beloved artists: Ornella Vanoni. Inspired by Rossetto e Cioccolato, the performance embraced the irony, elegance, and theatricality that have always characterized Vanoni’s artistic persona. Props became part of the storytelling, helping recreate the playful and sophisticated atmosphere of the song while adding an extra layer of theatrality. Through expressive movement and moments suspended between strength and vulnerability, the choreography celebrated an artist who has remained authentic, charismatic, and unmistakably herself across generations.

The show must go on ✨

As the final applause filled the theatre, I realized that what I will remember most is not a specific trick, pose, or choreography.

It is the people who shared this journey with me.

The friendships built over the years, the encouragement exchanged before stepping on stage, the laughter backstage, and the sense of belonging that accompanied every rehearsal are what made this experience truly unforgettable. Milan will always hold a special place in my heart, and so will Skills Zamaga. While I look forward to discovering new opportunities in Paris and continuing to cultivate this artistic passion, I carry with me the lessons, memories, and connections that made these years so meaningful.

À bientôt, Milano.

Bonjour, Paris.

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