Throughout your journey from a ballet dancer to a principal dancer, what were the key moments that shaped your career?

 

Of course, there are all the different opportunities that I could show different qualities, such as autonomy, trust, and responsibility. Often, it is imperative to be prepared to quickly create a replacement, acquiring knowledge quickly, incorporating the technical demands and artistic challenges, even if one lacks prior experience. All of these elements will contribute to a confident accordance with the direction of a company. My teacher told me when I left Argentina that you need to be always ready if the opportunity arrives, and even if you don’t know the choreography, you say: I can do it. She was sincere. We possess the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge and efficiently address a challenge. That is also part of the live performance, too.

 

How do you see the role of ballet in community engagement and social issues?

 

I believe ballet was always engaged in different social and community issues. When representing a period or a society, it consistently portrays the humanity. What I believe is consistent is the ability to experience emotions. The reasons for a girl’s happiness or sadness may not have been the same in 1800 as they are today. However, the sensation remains constant.

 

Photo: Mathew Brooks

How do you see the future of ballet evolving, particularly in relation to new technologies and media?

 

I believe that the experiences will be more intertwined with all of these components, and I am eagerly anticipating the diverse forms that ballet may take

 

How have you seen your own artistic expression and technique change over the years?

 

As I matured within the confines of the Paris Opera, I pursued the most natural means of movement by integrating a meaning into every movement. As dancers, we must eliminate the effort and transform into princesses or women, reaching out to every individual in the audience. We must be sincere both with ourselves and with the public. This is the only way to engage the audience.

 

Photo by: Ann Ray