by Laura Cappelle | Jun 2, 2014 | Company Life
You have incredible flexibility—how has that changed over the years? I’ve learnt how to use it to say what it can, rather than just flashing it around and being a freak. It’s easier to control now; I’m stronger than I was. It’s become a really amazing tool for me to...
by Valerie Bonk | Mar 27, 2014 | Company Life
Which ballet character do you feel is most like you? Liberty Bell, from Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes. It’s closest to my personality—bright, full of power and lots of energy. What is your hidden talent? Skiing! My parents took me when I was 3 and since then I’ve...
by Laura Cappelle | Jan 26, 2014 | Company Life
You danced John Cranko’s Onegin for the first time last year. How did you find your inner Tatiana? Eugene Onegin is my favorite book. As a child, I wanted to become an opera singer. I performed in the opera as one of the little kids onstage. I knew Tatiana’s part by...
by Laura Cappelle | Nov 21, 2013 | Company Life
You were known as the queen of contemporary at the Mariinsky Ballet, but today you dance almost all the main classical roles. Was it a difficult transition? It was actually really helpful to dance contemporary repertoire first. It builds coordination and control,...
by Margaret Fuhrer | Sep 24, 2013 | Company Life
You waited a long time between promotions. How did you cope? I won’t lie: It was very frustrating, especially being a soloist for as long as I was. But in retrospect, I needed those years to understand my weaknesses. I’m a better artist now because of that...
by Laura Cappelle | Jul 22, 2013 | Company Life
To what do you attribute your success? To my work. I had to make a real effort to get to where I am because I didn’t have the qualities that the Opéra required. Technique came easily to me, but it took me a while to realize that the company doesn’t...
by Jennifer Heimlich | Mar 19, 2013 | Company Life
How is dancing with your husband, Maxim Beloserkovsky, different from dancing with another partner? There is silent language between us. If I improvise without letting him know, he’ll come with me. It’s something that you cannot rehearse in the studio....
by Ashley Rivers | Sep 25, 2012 | Profiles
What’s your biggest nightmare onstage? Sometimes I’ll blank out and forget the choreography. I hate when I do it. I’ve had a few moments where later someone asked me, “What were you doing out there?” And I say, “Sorry! Got...