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...
by Joseph Carman | May 23, 2012 | Company Life
What’s your latest discovery? I love yoga! If I could, I would take yoga classes all the time. I do Bikram. The great thing is you can go all over the world and it’s the exact same sequence, every single class. What currently inspires you? Working with...
by Laura Cappelle | Mar 15, 2012 | Company Life
Why did you leave the Bolshoi for the Mikhailovsky? It’s one of the only companies led by a major choreographer today. I worked with Nacho Duato for Kings of the Dance, and had been dreaming of collaborating with him again. I also value the freedom I have now to...
by Mary Ellen Hunt | Jan 18, 2012 | Company Life
Is there anything you would change about yourself as a dancer? Sometimes I get hung up on certain steps or phrases. When you have a moment that doesn’t go well, it’s hard to let that go and continue as if it didn’t affect you. Do you ever suffer from...
by Laura Cappelle | Nov 15, 2011 | Company Life
Zakharova in Yuri Possokhov’s Cinderella. Photo by Marc Haegeman. You’re coming back from maternity leave. How does it feel? It’s not easy! But as soon as I stepped back in the studio, I told myself: Svetlana, you have time to get back in shape....
by Laura Cappelle | Sep 11, 2011 | Company Life
Do you have any pre-performance rituals? I’m a control freak. I do my makeup and hair, then pack everything away before I go onstage. If something is out of place, it makes me nervous. How do you prepare your pointe shoes for performance? I always wear brand-new...
by Michael Northrop | Jul 11, 2011 | Company Life
How did you become a fan of tennis star Rafael Nadal? I started following tennis when I was in SAB—it’s a very elegant sport. I like that Nadal doesn’t take anything easy. You see the effort in his strokes. I watch him like I’m working with...
by Michael Crabb | May 15, 2011 | Company Life
What does it take to be a successful leading ballerina? It’s more than just dancing at a higher level. You have to remember it’s not only about you, even if you’re in the spotlight. You must share yourself with the whole company. You gather that energy so they’re...