When did you start dancing?
I started dancing when I started walking. My mom took me to Mommy and Me ballet classes, and I kept going with it. I’ve tried multiple styles of dance, including hip hop, tap, jazz, broadway jazz, ballet, modern, and contemporary. I now only do ballet and contemporary at my studio, and I also do Dance Collective every year. How has dancing affected your life?
Dance has always been a big part of my life. I don’t know life without it. When I was younger, dance was just something I did after school and for fun, but I recently started using dance as a way to relieve some stress. Dancing is something that has always made me happy and it’s a really good distraction from life. Have you choreographed any pieces? If so, can you tell us about the process?
I choreographed a piece for the Upper School Dance Collective this year. I would usually use the DG during a free or during rehearsal and listen to the song I picked (Never Let Me Go by Florence + The Machine). I just started moving, and if I did something I liked, I would write it down. For some people choreographing is really easy, and they can do it quickly. Still, I always need time to really think out the movement. When we performed my piece, I was so happy and felt really accomplished, which is such a great feeling after working really hard! |
Who inspired you to dance? Do you have any icons, why?
There wasn’t one person that inspired me to dance, but I think I was more inspired by the feeling it gives me. As for icons, I would say Prince and Tiler Peck. Prince has to be one of the most iconic performers of all time. Every dancer tries to capture the audience with their movement, but very few are successful. It takes a unique quality to be able to do this, and Prince did it with ease. Tiler Peck is another one of my icons. Everyone in the ballet world knows who she is and has been jealous after seeing her do pirouettes and fouettés with absolutely no effort. She represents the idea that hard work really does pay off. What is your favorite performance? Why?
One of my all-time favorite performances that I have seen is when I saw the New York City Ballet perform Swan Lake earlier this year. Not only did I get to see Tiler Peck, but I also got to see her do Odette’s iconic 32 fouettés. Do you have any advice for young/aspiring dancers?
My advice to young dancers would be not to hold back. Don’t hide in behind your partner when you’re going across the floor. Don’t get nervous to ask your teachers questions. Dance is all about passion and really living in the movement. So my advice would definitely be to have fun. |