Askia Swift

I remember watching Askia in the Ailey company. He was phenomenal. Such a clean technique. Now, I want to be clear, there is clean technique and then there is he could be with a ballet company technique. Askia was the second. On stage with that dark skin glowing under the lights is how I first remember him. When I scrambled through my program to see who he was, his name jumped off the page… Askia Swift… What a beautiful name for a dancer.

I got to finally meet Askia years later at a friends gathering in Harlem, NYC. When I heard he was with the Basel Ballet I talked his head off…I wanted to know everything about his experience dancing in Switzerland. Askia was so friendly and helpful, He gave me a lot of info that night. I left the party so inspired and full of hope. After seeing him on stage so many times, It was nice to finally meet him in person and what a smile! I tried not to act like a crazy fan…

Askia is from Baltimore, Maryland. His has had a great career dancing professionally for 18 years in various companies around the world. Including San Francisco Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Geneva Ballet, Ballett Basel and guest artist with Zürich Ballett. As a perfect transition, Askia certified as a Pilates Instructor. He even has his own Pilates company in Zurich! I was curious on his take on these questions now that he has switched careers.

I ran into him again when I took class in Basel some years later. It was nice to see him up close and in the studio. Now that I am dancing in Basel, ( I am not stalking him…just a coincidence.) sometimes I will see him at a performance. He continues to inspire me to this day. Thank you Askia for your inspiration.

What did you want to be when grew up? Did you always want to do what you are doing now?

When I was Little, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do professionally. I knew I liked entertaining people and making them laugh and feel better. As a child I took dance and music lessons because I like it and it took me away from the inner city of Baltimore. I never imagined I would have such a career.

 Askia’s Favorite Things

Favorite Thing to eat?

very hard…but off of the top of my head, I’ll say Burritos and Quesadillas…Don’t get me wrong I love my Potato Salad and Fried Chicken too now….

Favorite Book?

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Favorite Ballet?

Theme and Variations, In the Middle Somewhat Elevated,La Bayadère…I love too many.

I like dancers who…

…Go out on the stage and play with their SOUL!!! Get Their Life!!!!!

I am afraid of…

…I am afraid of FEAR!!!! I am afraid of living in fear. I think Fear makes us do things against our nature and natural selves. I don’t like doing anything because of fear or being afraid.

A dance piece should….

…Say something to the audience. Spark some kind of emotion in a person, whether it’s a story piece or abstract. The opening of the piece should be done in such a way that your curiosity is peaked. The middle part, should explain a bit why we’re so curious and the end comes together with a Bang of emotions and thoughts!!!

Things you like to do other than your current job?

I love to sing out as loud as I can. Riding on my bike, takes me away from people and gives me freedom and fresh air.

One of your happiest moments?

I’ve had so many… I can’t really pick one over the other but…..one of the happiest moments in my life is Performing at the Kennedy Center with all of my family and friends in the audience. The next day there was a newspaper article saying, Local Boy Comes Home!!!!

One of your most unusual or coolest experiences?

This one is hard to answer because there’s so many…but, I think the most unusual experience must be seeing my father for the first time, at his funeral in his casket. Seeing where I got my nose from….or how I’d look with a mustache.

One of your most embarrassing moments?

Well I’d have to say my first tour to Berkley with Ailey. After spending ten years of my life in San Francisco and with the San Francisco Ballet, I was so excited to be back in the Bay Area on tour with Ailey and I wanted to show my friends in SFB that all was well. We were doing Ailey’s “The River”, my solo had lots of ballet steps, double tours, turns in second position…I went out there ready and on my first entrance, a Grand Jeté I went full force and slipped and landed on my A**….. I was devastated for a few seconds, knew that all of SFBallet was out there watching me twirl on my behind…..needless to say, the show went on.

The most influential person in your life or career?

Even though I’ve had many utterly inspiring people in my life, career, I’d have to say Sylvester Campbell has inspired me to be and do what I was meant to do. Like I stated before, as a child I didn’t have a clue what I wanted. I took dance for fun not life….He showed me how dance could be my life..he was always there, relentless. Whether we wanted it or not, he wanted it for us. Having someone like that in your life makes you want to care what happens. It gives you a sense of home, of self, of commitment and love. Outside of my family, Sylvester Campbell showed me how much he cared and loved his students!! I wouldn’t have done so well without a person like this in my Life!

The hardest thing about your current job?

As a Pilates Instructor….it is staying inspired!!! As a dancer, it’s hard staying emotionally true to yourself…not selling your soul.

Do you have any goals you hope to still achieve?

I’d like to choreograph a cute piece one of these days and have some type of influence on dancers of the next generation…also talk to, befriend and work with Patti Labelle and Madonna…

A question you want to know the answer to?

I’d like to know if there’s a recycling machine for Pointe Shoes….those dolls go thru shoes like no other!!! Where do they go?

Dear aspiring artists,

With all of the hunger to get out on stage, always take time to find You( the soul) in all that you do. A career in the Arts is amazing but it’s also about Your personal journey in life. Life’s Long Lessons.

–Askia Swift

Photo Journal

Find out more about Askia at www.swiftpilates.com Have you seen Askia on stage? Share your stories in the comments below.