What Drives a Dancer? Meet Our Artists to Find Out
Reece Taylor and Chantelle Pianetta in rehearsal for Shapes of Blue | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Reece Taylor
What is your favorite role to perform?
Cavalier in The Nutcracker is a role I've had most experience performing, and one that holds the fondest memories. Each time I revisit it I am faced with new challenges that push my artistry and technique. This role reminds me why I love this art so much.
What are your dream roles that you’ve not yet had a chance to perform?
Some dream roles include Albrecht in Giselle, The Rose in Le Spectre de la Rose, and Bronze Idol in La Bayadere.
What inspires you, and drives you to keep dancing?
Music is my inspiration to continue dancing. I am always listening, creating, and envisioning myself telling a story through movement.
Silken Kelly
What is your favorite role to perform?
There are honestly too many roles to assign a favorite! I have loved everything I’ve had the pleasure of performing so far.
What are your dream roles that you’ve not yet had a chance to perform?
I have multiple dream roles! To name a few, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (I love heavy acting roles), Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Nikiya in La Bayadère, and Manon in Manon.
What inspires you, and drives you to keep dancing?
My biggest inspiration to continue dancing is the creation of it all. My drive and passion for storytelling through movement leads everything I do; being able to share that with others is something I cherish.
Silken Kelly and Reece Taylor in rehearsal for The Nutcracker | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Isabella Bertagni in rehearsal for The Nutcracker | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Isabella Bertagni
What is your favorite role to perform?
My favorite role that I've performed in my career so far has been the corps de ballet in George Balanchine’s Serenade. Serenade has been my favorite ballet for as long as I can remember. Performing it with a live orchestra was such a beautiful and emotional experience for me!
What are your dream roles that you’ve not yet had a chance to perform?
My dream role as of right now would have to be Dewdrop in The Nutcracker. I love how she commands the stage in the iconic Waltz of the Flowers. Her presence and movement quality is something I've always admired and would love the challenge to take on.
What inspires you, and drives you to keep dancing?
My biggest inspirations are the people who surround me everyday. I am very lucky to have built such great relationships with my peers who are constantly finding ways to support and uplift each other. They bring such a vibrant energy to the studio, which pushes me to be the best version of myself.
Savannah Rodriguez
What is your favorite role to perform?
My favorite role that I have performed in my career thus far is the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker.
What are your dream roles that you’ve not yet had a chance to perform?
My dream role is Giselle in Giselle.
What inspires you, and drives you to keep dancing?
My biggest inspiration that drives me to continue dancing is the audience! My goal as an artist is to always leave the audience with something to hold on to. If I can take them on an emotional journey with my artistry and create even the smallest of impacts, I feel fulfilled.
Savannah Rodriguez in rehearsal for The Nutcracker | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Ashley Onks in rehearsal for Shapes of Blue | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Ashley Onks
What is your favorite role to perform?
My favorite role I have ever performed would have to be Lead Marzipan in Raúl Salamanca’s The Nutcracker, which I had the honor to perform just this past December. While it was one of the most technically and physically challenging roles I’ve ever done, it was also extremely gratifying to have been able to embrace the challenge and make it feel beautiful to perform and I had so much fun!
What are your dream roles that you’ve not yet had a chance to perform?
My dream role would have to be Dew Drop in The Nutcracker or Aurora from The Sleeping Beauty.
What inspires you, and drives you to keep dancing?
Dance has become an integral part of me and if it was missing out of my life, it would be as if a piece of myself was missing. It has been a huge part of my life since I was a little girl and I have always known in my heart that I am meant to continue, even when times get tough!
Sophia Dimmick and Harrison Pickering
What is your favorite role to perform?
S: One of my favorite pieces I’ve performed in is Justin Peck's In Creases! I love how satisfying the movement is, and the musicality was such a fun challenge.
H: My favorite role that I’ve had the pleasure of performing so far is the Knave of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland.
What are your dream roles that you’ve not yet had a chance to perform?
S: My dream is to someday get to dance Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty. I would love the opportunity to embody the special quality of movement that she has.
H: A dream role of mine is definitely Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake. That role, and the entire ballet, have always been a source of great inspiration for me and I feel the choreography suits my strengths and style as a dancer.
What inspires you, and drives you to keep dancing?
S: What inspires me to continue dancing are the teachers I’ve had in my life who believed in me. I am constantly working to fulfill the potential they saw in me through my dancing and performing.
H: I’m driven to keep dancing by the opportunity to always strive to perform new, exciting roles and to constantly improve my dancing!
Sophia Dimmick and Harrison Pickering in rehearsal for The Nutcracker | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Mia Gonzalez-Llorens in rehearsal for The Nutcracker | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Mia Gonzalez-Llorens
What is your favorite role to perform?
My favorite role I have performed has to be Arabian in Michael Vernon’s The Nutcracker. In that version, Arabian was a partnered piece that needed to be performed with much emotion, passion, and precision. My favorite part about performing is molding into the character I am portraying and this role allowed me to do that. Also, I absolutely love that Tchaikovsky score!
What are your dream roles that you’ve not yet had a chance to perform?
My dream role is performing any role in Justin Peck’s In Creases. The choreography and the music work so seamlessly together. Every time I hear the music, I can’t help but feel an exciting energy!
What inspires you, and drives you to keep dancing?
My biggest inspiration that drives me to continue dancing is the constant improvement. In ballet, you will never be “perfect.” This can be frustrating, but also liberating. Instead of striving for perfection, in ballet I can take risks and this allows me to continue improving my craft in ways I did not know were possible.