I never studied with Balanchine, but his work was very important to me.
I danced for 10 years. I was on a competitive hip-hop team, but then I, like, grew seven inches in one year - not really, but I grew tall and really lanky, and I lost all my coordination.
Music and dance influence my style in a lot of ways. Sometimes I go off to work dressed up like I'm going to hit the stage and perform.
I think when dance is mediocre, it's painful. But when dance is really impressive, it destroys.
Dance should touch people.
After I stopped dancing, I was unable to listen to beautiful music.
I've always believed that a dance evening energizes an audience, that an audience goes out feeling chemically stronger and more optimistic. This is what I understand about dance. And this is an important thing. We need this. Our culture needs it.
I think that I'm so fortunate to have found classical ballet. It completely changed my life and it shaped the person that I am today, on and off the stage.
