I wanted to invent some kind of American dance that was danced to the music that I grew up on: Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hart and Irving Berlin. So I evolved a style that certainly didn't catch on right away - but I had some good mentors in New York who encouraged me.

When Ginger Rogers danced with Astaire, it was the only time in the movies when you looked at the man, not the woman.

My mother had gotten a job as a receptionist at a dancing school and had the idea that we should open our own dancing school; we did, and it prospered.

The future of dance will always be tied up with the public's acceptance of the star. If they accept the star, then they'll accept the dance.

She's one of those third year girls who gripe my liver... You know, American college kids. They come over here to take their third year and lap up a little culture... They're officious and dull. They're always making profound observations they've overheard.

Any man who looks like a sissy while dancing is just a lousy dancer.

I think dancing is a man's game and if he does it well he does it better than a woman.