Talent will only take you so far, and it is your ability to feel the music and explore a movement that will bring you the greatest pleasure in dance.

It's a time to reflect and appreciate all the contributions that others have made to my career and my life. My vision is nothing that hasn't been gleaned or understood from watching and working with so many people I admire before me.

There's nothing like the force and challenge of a new ballet to galvanize everyone involved in bringing it to life.

In my life, there have always been people who guided my path, towards the school, towards this company. I didn't know about any of it. I didn't have a plan. It's good fortune and generosity from other people that have given me all I have today.

Treasure the things about you that make you different and unique.

The importance of the arts to the societies in which they thrive is well documented.

In the world of classical ballet there are only a handful of story ballets, so getting a new one is cause for excitement.