Devon Teuscher Spills on Becoming a Principal Dancer for ABT
Last July, Devon Teuscher became a principal with American Ballet Theatre. ABT artistic director Kevin McKenzie called her into a meeting and told her, “I think you’ve done wonderful work—I’d like to promote you.” Surprisingly, Teuscher’s first thought was, “Are you sure?” Despite having proved herself by climbing the ranks of the company for 10 years, she still felt nervous about her new role. “I had been dreaming about this since I was 8 years old,” she says. “But the responsibility that comes with being an ambassador for the company—really, a face of the company—felt like a huge amount of pressure.”
Watching her onstage, it’s easy to see how the title of principal suits her long lines, elegant strength and crisp technique. Next month she debuts her dream principal role—Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at Metropolitan Opera House.