 How and why did you get into dance? Did you always want to be a dancer? It all started on a dare. I blame my cousin, who has also had a professional career. We were sitting around and I was teasing her about taking ballet. She basically dared me to come to the studio to try it. I stupidly thought, it would be an easy challenge. Years later, I still can't master the art form. I didn't always want to be a dancer, I had no idea one could be. Once I figured out that you could have a career I busted my butt to try and get one. Who has been your biggest inspiration or greatest influence in choosing to have a dance career? My teachers and family were problems my biggest inspirations to do this dance thing. Even if they had trepidation and knew it was going to be a hard life they always encouraged me to do what I loved.  What do you find is the biggest challenge and/or biggest reward in having a dance career as part of your life? As you get older the ability to stay focused on just being in the studio gets harder, the demands of life pull you out. The greatest reward is that the worst day doing something you love is probably better than most days doing something you don't. How great is performing? We get to entertain and make art for people that they thank us for it with applause. What came first: performing or choreographing? Performing came first. I came from a school that learning how to perform was part of the curriculum. What is your favorite performance you have ever seen? My favorite performance that I've seen was probably something I was onstage to witness. Watching Nina Baratova stick an arabesque balance and having the presence of mind to look at the audience as if to say, "How do you like that." Seeing a single flake of snow fall on my Sugar Plumb Fairy as she comes downstage to greet Clara. Watching dancers fix mistakes on the spot so that the audience will never know something went wrong. I've seen my share of stars and amazing ballets and dancers, but those personal experiences stick with me more.  What is the funniest thing you have ever had happen to you on stage? Pretty much any children's ballet I ever had to perform. For some reason something always went wrong in those for me. My prop knife constantly falling out of my belt in "Snow White", my mustache falling off in "Hop-Along Tumbleweed", you name it. If you could take your company to perform anywhere in the world where would you take them? There are too many choices to pick one. I've always wanted to take them on a tour of Central and South America. I guess if you twist my arm I'll have to say one of the great European opera houses.  Where do you find inspiration for the different works that you choreograph? Do you ever find it a challenge to come up with new ideas? Inspiration can come from anything if you allow it to. You have to open yourself up to what's going on around you and in you. I think that we have to challenge ourselves to put out new ideas. I get frustrated seeing the same ballet from the same choreographer every time they put something new out. What advice can you give to dancers who are interested in pursuing a career in dance? Learn your history, see as much different dance as you can, get your butt to the studio early, and don't let fools distract you from what you have to do. What is coming up next for you and your company? We're working on expanding our programming so we can get in front of more audiences. We want to get back on the road and perform at festivals in other states and countries as well. Back to Artistic Directors - Go to BiographyCommentsLeave a Reply |
