Philip Taylor

I first met Philip when he came to Juilliard to watch class in 2005. I still had another year left at school, but he was looking at the seniors to find a dancer for his company in Munich.

Fast forward a year, in my final year at Juilliard in 2006, I went to Europe to audition. I stopped in Munich to visit my good friends Loni Landon and Brian McNeal and, while I was there, I took class with the company to stay in shape for my audition tour. It was a good class taught by Leda Mazzei Fernandes. I was shocked to see Philip walk in during center. He watched all the way until the end. I never thought he would watch, as I had not set up an audition. After class, he came to me and asked if I would attend the audition tomorrow. I said I couldn’t as I had already booked my travel to Den Haag to audition for NDT. Smart move, huh?! What can I say? I was a Juilliard senior, aka a super diva, with eyes only for NDT. As I often see now amongst the Juilliard grads, I was graduating Juilliard with quite a chip on my shoulder and had the mindset that if I didn’t get in to NDT, I had obviously failed as a dancer and would just have to “settle” for something else. I was young and naive (and maybe even a bit cocky!), and if I had known then what I know now, perhaps I would have handled that differently. Anyway…back to the story…Philip looked at me, took a deep breath, and said “c’est la vie, Armando” and walked away. Well, I didn’t get into NDT…or anything else…and come June, just a couple weeks before graduation, I still had no job.

Luckily for me, my best friend, Zen Jefferson, DID make it to the audition. He got a phone call from Philip at the end of the season offering him a contract. Luckily for me, Zen had already signed with Donlon Dance Company in Saarbrücken and couldn’t take it. Luckily for me, Zen has major balls & said to Philip, “I have accepted another contract, but my friend Armando needs a job.” Can you believe that?! Again – luckily for me, Philip remembered me and said to Zen, “Tell Armando to send me a video.” One long week later, I received an email offering me a contract. Naturally, it was in German. And, again, being the naive (and slightly arrogant) Juilliard senior that I was, I took it to my teacher, Alphonse Poulin, to translate it. He looked at me and yelled, “just sign the f*cking contract, Armando.” Needless to say, I signed it right away.

Philip gave me my first job in Europe. He was director of Balletttheatermünchen at the Gärtnerplatztheater in Munich, Germany. I could never write all the things he gave to me in that year. So much wisdom, so many life lessons and a ton of laughs. But, I will share one good story! In Philip’s last ballet he created for Balletttheatermünchen, “Rhapsody in Blue”, I was the understudy of Brian McNeal. It was the last few weeks of a grueling season, everyone was ready for summer holidays and it was a very playful atmosphere in the studio. At some point I knew the steps, but there had already been many performances. I didn’t really know it anymore…but no one knew anything! I was following the crowd and thought it was okay. Can you see where this is going?………Brian called out sick one day for a rehearsal and I had to go in. But I didn’t realize it until the rehearsal had started and, of course, the ballet starts with Brian dancing a 4-minute solo. Philip said, “Armando – you’re on.” With my face full of surprise I said, “I don’t know it!” He just looked at me…and pressed play anyway. I stood still in the middle of the studio with the whole company looking at me. With my head down, not dancing…for four minutes. I didn’t even try to pretend I knew it. I was mortified. Artemis, the rehearsal assistant, went to stop the music, but Philip took her hand away and yelled, “Keep going everyone! Armando, see me after the run through!” The other dancers came on as usual and the piece went on. After the rehearsal, I walked toward him, terrified. Philip calmly said to me, “Now, Armando, you were there when I created that solo.” and then he walked away. I thought I got off easy.

A short time later, a girl got injured and Antonia Vitti had to jump in to a ballet with only a day notice. We had an emergency rehearsal. She was fantastic! She knew everything and fit in perfectly. After the run through, Philip turned around to me and said, in front of the WHOLE company, “Armando…now THAT is an understudy!”………Well played, Philip. Lesson learned.

I learned so much from this man. Philip is a master. He ran that company with ease and such grace. He was tough, but fair. Calm, but funny. It was the company’s last season before everyone went their separate ways and the atmosphere was incredible.  He gave so much of himself to us and was an incredible leader. One of the best directors of my career and exactly what I needed fresh out of school. I am so grateful and proud to have been a part of BTM’s final season. Thank you, Philip, for everything.

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?

Before realizing that dance was my way which happened at the age of 14, I did have thoughts of being one day, a vicar, a writer, a painter and still today some sort of charity worker which would involve helping others in their day to day lives. When I was a Director and had a long 6 week summer break from the theater, I used to give 10 days of my time to working for a charity…. found it to be very rewarding, and a great vacation from the theater! I always felt, hoped, wished that my professional life would be in dance, without choosing one particular job, dance has offered me so many beautiful things in so many various areas of the art form. Just feel privileged that to this day it has been possible.

 Philips Favorite Things

 Favorite Things to eat?

anything home-made, cooked with fresh ingredients and love.

Favorite Books?

Not a book as there are many, but a poem……. Walt Whitman`s “The Untold Want”…….. my favorite line…… “Now Voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find.” Just wonderful!

Favorite Movies?

Again there are many, but 2 stand out for me, “Educating Rita”, and of course “Billy Elliot”.

Favorite Dance Piece or Show/Musical or both?

Rather than single works, people who`s work has caused a movement within myself……. Jiri Kylian, Carolyn Carlson, Maggie Marin, William Forsythe, Marie Chouinard, DV8, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Pina Bausch, and the musical “A Chorus Line”.

 I like dancers who…

…are musical, thinkers, and not afraid to leave their comfort zone.

 I am afraid of…

… of one day having to accept that although still breathing, and not yet dead, having to rely on someone else or other persons for everything, which at present I do with little thought.

 A dance piece should…

…should cause a movement for choreographer, dancers and audience…… but not necessarily the same one.

 Something you like to do other your current job?

No sorry Armando, no other profession for me, the other things I love doing like cooking, (and eating), helping and meeting people, I make time for anyway.

 One of the happiest moments in your life?

Yes many……. seeing the Cherry tree blossom every year outside my Kitchen window, (it is in full bloom now!), spending time with close friends, watching the final performance of “BTM”, an incredible performance and farewell……. you were all so beautiful, and knowing you have all continued to grow. And….. the way I met my partner, and that is all I am saying!

 One of your most unusual or coolest experiences?

A 4 week safari to South Africa, and seeing the wild animals in their natural surroundings…. amazing!

 One of the most embarrassing moments in your professional career?

Watching a performance and in the interval discussing the previously seen ballet with the company’s Artistic Director who I knew very well, expressing my doubts about the works authenticity, thinking it had been choreographed by a guest, and then being told it was in fact by the Artistic Director himself…… whoops…

 Who has been the most influential person/people in your life? or Career? and why?

My mother……. who carried me into this world, and with her down to earth practicality and sound advice, sometimes harsh but always loving, has been both inspirational and supportive.

 One of the hardest things about your job?

To have the courage to make a decision which you know will disappoint others, and to have the wisdom (and the right choice of words) to explain the decision, so to limit (or completely avoid) any lasting damage to anyone.

 Do you have any goals you still wish to achieve?

To continue to have the strength to be open, prevent (avoid) bitterness, learn, grow and to keep going which is an on going process which never stops.

A question you want to know the answer to?

Usually the questions I have asked and received answers to lead me to other questions…….fascinating.

A piece of advice for aspiring artists?

Be yourself, and that may take a long time to find out, (I am still busy), so enjoy the experience, work hard, and do not give up your dreams, but give of yourself freely.

Photo Journal

Have you seen Philips work? Have you seen Balletttheatermünchen on stage? Have you worked with Philip? come on guys! Share your stories in the comments below!!! Thanks for reading.