Being a performer by
Heather Farmer
Background
He is a native of Riga which is in Latvia.
He began studying ballet at the age of 9.
As a teenager he entered the Vaganova Academy in Leningrad. In 1969 he graduated from
a student to the principal dancer of the Kirov ballet.
In 1974 he left the Soviet Union to dance with major ballet companies nationally including
New York City Ballet where he worked with George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins.
In 1980 he began his 10 year tenure as Artistic Director of the American Ballet Theatre
where he was making a new generation of dancers and choreographers.
Personal qualities needed to succeed
as a dancer
Creativity- Dancers require creativity, which helps them to express the music and
story lines they dance to using unique body movements. This artistic ability
allows dancers to communicate ideas through physical expression, and come up
with new ideas to add to dance routines. A sense of musicality, such as in
rhythm, goes along with the creativity that dancers need to perform well.
Perseverance-Dancers do not achieve perfect performances without careful and
constant practice. It may take them years before they develop the expertise to
perform professionally. They must have the characteristic of determination or
perseverance to keep rehearsing their moves and routines until they are perfect
with the ability to learn quickly and retain information. A can-do attitude is the
only one that ensures dancers succeed at their work. They can't give up until
they achieve the goals of their choreographer or producer, and then must persist
in learning the next step or routine for their next audition.
Key technical performance skills
Teamwork- Dancers always need to work with others, even if they perform solo. They must
be able to take direction from their choreographer, and the characteristic of teamwork is
equally essential for coordinating their dance routines with other dancers in their company
or production group. Being able to communicate and respond to others' signs on the dance
floor is essential for flawless execution of often complex dance moves. A high degree of
trust must also be developed as part of working with a team for example, when a dancer
performs a hazardous move that requires a partner to catch her or hold her in position.
Good communication skills- this is so that you can ask questions about things that you dont
understand or need a bit more help on.
Practical skills
An example of when Mikhail Baryshnikov has collaborated with
someone is when he was working with major dance companies
nationally like the New York City Ballet where he worked with George
Balanchine and Jerome Robbins.
Other roles a dancer interrelates with
Dancers interrelate with a choreographer so that they can learn new routines
and the skills needed to be able to perform that routine.
Dancers interrelate with a director if they are in a major production this is so that
they know what they are doing when, positioning for the dances and so that they
know when they have to attend rehearsals and for how long.
Qualifications/training routes
He attended the Vaganova school which specializes in ballet.
Other schools that you can attend which specializes in ballet are:
East Oxford School of Ballet
Elmhurst Ballet School
Princeton Ballet School
Vanessa Golborn School of Dance.
Notable works
Giselle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8__iRsxG_A
The Nutcracker - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPydvyD9Bpo
Working conditions
A dancer/choreographer must work long hours rehearsing and taking
dancers through their routines before productions. This is an industry that
demands a high level of fitness. Work isnt guaranteed. Some dancers may
have permanent work with a company, but many work with small
companies and have to regularly audition for a role in a production. Some
dancers travel interstate or overseas for increased job opportunities.
Lifestyle factors
Some dancers have to spend lots of time going to auditions because it
can be hard to find work.
Some dancers may have to live on the road.
