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Maria Eichwald

Ballet dancer

Published on 16 September 2013

Maria would sometimes take class with Gauthier Dance when the Stuttgart Ballet was off – it was always such a treat! I have never seen a classical dancer with such precise control of her technique. Maria is clean. I’m talking no hops, shakes, or hesitations. Nothing can knock Maria off pointe once she has decided to stay. Add dynamic movement quality and musicality, and you have Maria. Nobody is perfect, but if one could be close to that… in a classical way… in my opinion, Maria is pretty close. Anyone who has seen her perform knows what I am talking about – such a confidence and determination on stage and in the studio!

I would try to copy her in class…challenge myself to stay if she stayed… and use the whole 4 counts to developé. I was getting somewhere, but let’s face it (warning: excuses ahead): you can see that she is a natural. She has been dancing that way for a long time. I mean… I haven’t given up, I just need to get back into class with her once in a while……

Maria didn’t say much, so you can imagine my surprise when one day after class, she walked over to me and said “You are a beautiful dancer.” I paused… probably for too long (in NYC we call that gagging), as a million different responses raced through my head. I finally decided on… “Thank you Maria.” Her words gave me a huge boost of inspiration. Such a silly thing, I know, but it is not something I hear after class… ever. Especially from a Prima Ballerina! I know I am no Baryshnikov, but I am human and remembering this moment always makes me smile.

Thank you Maria for your inspiration.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to do what you’re doing now?

I wanted to become a ballerina since I was 7 years old. I saw swan lake on TV. I started dancing when I was 9 years old. If I had not started dance, I would have tried to be a pianist or a painter.