Dance Mastery Quotes

I've always felt that Balanchine is my ultimate teacher. I learn the most from observing his work and also dancing in it.

Michael Jackson was extraordinary. When we worked together on 'Bad,' I was in awe of his absolute mastery of movement on the one hand, and of the music on the other. Every step he took was absolutely precise and fluid at the same time. It was like watching quicksilver in motion. He was wonderful to work with, an absolute professional at all times, and it really goes without saying... a true artist. It will be a while before I can get used to the idea that he's no longer with us.

I wouldn't say that I am one of the greatest dancers, but I am really quite good at what I do.

Even as one of the best choreographers in the country, I was criticised for a lot of things I have done in life.

Gene Kelly was one of the greatest dancers of all time and a taskmaster. He sought from you the absolute best - and he got it.

As a dancer, I out-Fred the nimblest Astaire.

My goal was to become the best dancer in the world and, because I started late, I always had this feeling I was playing catch-up, so I've been a bit of a maniac most of my life, sort of striving.

My only drive was to be the best dancer in the world, but I never won the world championship.

I was a protege; by the age of 10, I was studying with ballet choreographer Anthony Tudor in a class of adults.

It's not a secret - I'm literally one of the best dancers in the world! I mean, not everyone would necessarily agree with that.

I've dedicated my life to competitive dancing, so I'd like to pass that on to others. You can't be half-hearted about competitive dancing, you have to be prepared to give your whole life over to it.

Dancing as a thing to do is marvellous, but you've got to be bloody good at it. I was never good enough.

Fred Astaire never let you see him sweat, but he sweetened his deceptively casual virtuosity with just enough charm to make it irresistible.

I'm not naturally a gifted dancer, and I don't enjoy it.

I wish I could dance like Michael Jackson. I'd love to be able to have my life exactly the way it is, but with his dance moves.

I've been in continuing education programs since taking my dance master's exam at age 21.

I became an ardent, but never a specially good, dancer.

Fred Astaire’s got nothing on me.

I can take a beginner kid that has never danced in their lives, and I can teach them something, or I can take a really advanced dancer, and I can make them into a professional.

What guarantees - or at least semi-guarantees - good ballets is good choreographers, and they are thin on the ground.

The mystery of Christopher Wheeldon deepens. Yes, he's the most talented of the younger ballet choreographers - indeed, where's the competition? Yes, he's particularly good at nurturing dancers and identifying their essential qualities.