How To Be An Unforgettable Dancer

If you have been in dance for any amount of time you have probably heard one or two statements suggesting certain attributes and focused awareness that can make someone become an unforgettable dancer. If you are like me, you are constantly catching gems in classes, at festivals and even rehearsals. A couple of weeks ago I began to recall some of those moments. A few that come to mind happened in a Hinton Battle class and a Matthew Rushing class. THOSE MOMENTS ARE SERIOUSLY PRICELESS.

For this article  I took some time to reach out to a few of my favorite artists to get their take on what makes an unforgettable dancer. Here is what they had to say:

"An unforgettable dancer transcends. Their body, soul and mind become one— captivating, inspiring and heightening the senses of their audience. Sarah Emery. Ballet Instructor, Patel Conservatory, Freelance Choreographer/Performing Artist, St. Petersburg, FL

 

“A dancer that really stands out to me and captures my attention is one who looks and feels confident. I stopped looking for perfect technique and pictures. I look for something deeper, an understanding that comes with maturity in one’s craft. I will never forget a dancer that owns the space, shows that they have a unique and personal awareness of their body, where they look like they are authentically committed to the work. Dance is about sharing and if you don’t look like you are offering your heart and spirit in the work, you sink to the background for me. I’m tired of just seeing pretty dance. Let’s get to the realness of it all. What are you saying? I should be transported to self-reflect on my own personal life or find inspiration in your commitment as a human and not as a fellow dance artist.” Derick McKoy, Jr. Dancer with Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Executive Artistic Director of McKoy Dance Project || MDP

 

 

"What makes an “unforgettable dancer”?

That’s hard to say. It’s a layered response and sort of depends on what a particular audience
member is looking for when they watch ballet. I guess, therefore, the answer is always
subjective. For me, personally, what makes an unforgettable dancer is finding some quality in the dancer that I can personally relate too. Maybe it’s an aesthetic, or maybe its’ something in the
dancer’s personality. Their charm and charisma on stage.
Of course I want to see beautiful feet and lines. Even in my old age, I am still inspired and
aspire to look like these incredible ballerinas!

Another thing my husband, Bucky, and I often talk about is how ballet dance has changed so
dramatically over the last 80 years. In years past, like the 1940s/1950s ballet dancers didn’t
have the impeccable hyper flexible feet and legs that’s almost a prerequisite in ballet today.
Instead, those dancers had such beautiful charm and carriage in their éppaulment that is
somewhat lost today.

So I guess that’s my high level answer.
My favorite unforgettable dancers: 1) Stanislav Issaev, my teacher 2) Ekaterina Maximova (my
favorite ballerina of all time), 3) Nadezhda Pavlova (second favorite ballerina) 4) Raisa
Strchkova (favorite ballerina from the 40s/50s)  Erin Jaffe- Gardner. Ballet Instructor/Coach, Extraordinaire, Ballroom Dancer/Instructor

 

"Skill and the ability to demonstrate honestly through your art" Jacqueline Green- Miller. Co-director of TDA Prep, former dance artist with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre

 

 

I would like to thank each of these artists for engaging me in their thoughts and perspectives on this matter, as they are, in my opinion, tried and true.