*A note: Sanjay first published this piece on his own website and personal blog. We fully support Sanjay’s work and expression of anxiety, frustration, and fear so many of us, especially performing artists, are experiencing as we make the hard decisions to balance safety with the art and artistry that define so much of our … Continued
Ballet has been in my heart since I could walk—a whisper telling me to dance. I have followed that whisper my whole life. Dancing has been a dream, a passion, and a reality. It is my voice, my soul. It soothes that ache inside that pounds and pleads to be heard. Ballet is a love—and love makes … Continued
As dancers we are constantly and desperately seeking the unattainable – perfection. We know that we will never arrive; yet, we continue to make the effort over and over again. Every day we stare at ourselves in the mirror, striving to reach this impossible goal. It may seem crazy, bizarre, unhealthy even. However, I have … Continued
I can still feel the way the notes used to move me. It didn’t matter where I was — surrounded by people in a crowded mall or alone in my bedroom — music told my body to dance, and I listened. I was unrestrained abandon. Sometimes the sounds told me to jump around and move … Continued
I remember the way it felt the first time. I remember the way each breath was shimmery and each heart beat held its breath waiting for the next pulse. I was afraid the moment would end — afraid the giddy beat inside my chest would disappear. I remember standing on the ledge, staring longingly at … Continued
Sometimes I don’t realize that I am missing something until I have it back—like when I loan Star Wars: Episode V to a friend and get it back months later and watch it and realize how much I had missed it. Or when Keith’s cheerful voice is at the other end of the phone line … Continued
“Do you want to go on an adventure?” he asked me after our second date. I did not hesitate with my enthusiastic “Yes!” We ran through the park, explored a hidden old beat up shed, and trekked through the woods. I was a child again—the world was hope. I was a teenager—my heart was restless. … Continued
My grandma and I used to play make-believe in her upstairs spare room. She would narrate, and I would act and dance. There was always a dramatic turn in the story in which I would throw myself to the ground in some sort of despair. Papa would holler up to us, “what in the heck … Continued
Cemeteries are peace to me. My dad is the manager for the second largest cemetery in Kentucky, so I spent my childhood running through the graves and skipping amongst the dead. Act II of Giselle takes place in a cemetery. Perhaps this is yet another reason why this ballet has always captured my heart and … Continued
One of the beautiful aspects of Giselle is the ability for every person to find a way to relate to the story. The characters are incredibly human. Each viewer should be able to find some aspect of his or her own story in Giselle, Albrecht, Myrtha, or any of the characters in this ballet. Within … Continued