Maria Eichwald

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.

Maria’s Favorite Things

To eat?

Spaghetti Vongole

Books?

The Master and Margarita from Mikhail Bulgakov

Movies?

Dangerous Liaisons

Ballets, Dance Piece or Musical?

Lady of the Camellias, Onegin, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet

I like dancers who…

… can change their expression and individuality on stage. When I really see the person in the role.

Something you like to do other than your current job?

I only want to dance…

One of the happiest moments in your life?

One of my happiest moments in my life was when after 2 years of being injured, I started to dance again.

 Dear aspiring artists,

Work hard, but keep pleasure in what you are doing….Ballet is wonderful. It will never die.

–Maria Eichwald

 Photo Journal

Rehearsal for Onegin with Manuel Legris

Giselle with Friedemann Vogel ©Stuttgarter Ballett

“Kameliendame” with Friedemann Vogel

Onegin with Roberto Bolle at the Teatro alla Scala in 2012

Maria with Damiano Pettenella in Der Sandmann by Christian Spuck ©Stuttgarter Ballett

To find out more about Maria check out www.mariaeichwald.com or http://www.stuttgart-ballet.de/company/maria-eichwald/Have you worked with Maria? Have you seen her perform? Help me say thank you by sharing your stories in the comments below. Thank YOU for reading!