You might think that, as a Royal Ballet dancer who trained at both the School of American Ballet and the Paris Opéra Ballet School, Beatriz Stix-Brunell has had enough experience of world-class institutions to last her a lifetime. But having always had an academic itch, she’s decided to scratch it—so she’s adding one more institution […]

Nine years ago, Del Mak decided he was done performing for artists like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and One Direction. “I’d done everything I wanted to, and I was tired of the rat race,” he says. “My body was starting to hurt.” The next obvious step? Choreography. Though “obvious” doesn’t mean “easy.” For commercial dancers looking […]

Martha Schoppe likes to joke that ballet set her up well to enjoy activities that hurt your feet. “But it’s not really a joke,” she admits with a laugh. Growing up, Schoppe learned to smile through the pain of pointe shoes. Today, her feet get trashed in fire boots: The Maine native is one of […]

To Keely Garfield, there’s little difference between supporting those who suffer and connecting with audiences through dance—both walk the same path of human empathy. Lauded for her deligh­tfully unpredictable dance work, Garfield’s recently launched a surprising new pursuit: interfaith chaplaincy. Now in her residency, she offers relief to ailing patients at Mount Sinai Hospital in […]

Robbie Fairchild’s new floral-design endeavor, boo•kay nyc, is proof that you can bloom even in a dry spell. While live performances are put on pause indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fairchild is using the downtime to explore his entrepreneurial side and his passion for flowers. “I’m putting on my businessman hat and making things […]

I first saw Maria Seletskaja when she was dancing as a leading soloist in Europe. Years later, she sent me a video of herself with the Stuttgart Ballet—not as a dancer, but as a guest orchestra conductor! I found her work and this particular transition very exciting and so I brought it to the attention […]