The Spirit and Soul of LINES' Enchanting Adji Cissoko

Adji Cissoko has the alchemical blend of willowy limbs and earthy musicality you expect from a dancer in Alonzo King LINES Ballet. But she also has something more—a joy in dancing that makes every step feel immediate. “She has this soulful quality of an ancient spirit coming through her body,” says LINES chief executive officer […]

Morning Moves: How 5 Professional Dancers Start Their Day

The way you start your morning can set the tone for the rest of the day. Establishing a productive and mindful morning routine can leave you feeling relaxed, grounded, and ready to take on the day ahead, no matter how busy. We asked five professional dancers to share what they like to do each morning […]

Ballet Unbound: SFB's 17-Day Festival Asks Where the Art Form is Headed

The ballet world will converge on San Francisco this month for San Francisco Ballet’s Unbound: A Festival of New Works, a 17-day event featuring 12 world premieres, a symposium, original dance films and pop-up events. “Ballet is going through changes,” says artistic director Helgi Tomasson. “I thought, What would it be like to bring all […]

From Ballerina to CEO: How Muriel Maffre Started "A Second Life"

Muriel Maffre is no less elegant up close in pedestrian clothing than she was onstage in glittering tutus. Since retiring from San Francisco Ballet, where she danced as a principal from 1990 to 2007, Maffre has been deeply involved in the Bay Area arts community. She has taught and worked at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, […]

Op-Ed: Why We Need To Confront Bias in Dance Criticism

Points should be given to the dance world for beginning to address the issue of diversity. But have we ever taken into consideration who critiques dance—and the lack of diversity in that area of our community? Or how critics’ subconscious biases create barriers to the elevation of non-white artists?

What's Not Okay to Ask A Dancer to Do?

To create great work, choreographers need the freedom to tackle difficult subjects and push physical limits. But when your instruments are human beings, is there a limit to how far you should go? Five choreographers open up about where they draw the line. Elizabeth Streb ioulex, Courtesy Streb “I ask dancers to be 100 percent […]