We look at the dance to impart the sensation of living in an affirmation of life, to energize the spectator into keener awareness of the vigor, the mystery, the humor, the variety, and the wonder of life. This is the function of the American dance.

Dancers today can do anything; the technique is phenomenal. The passion and the meaning to their movement can be another thing.

You have no right to go before a public without an adequate technique, just because you feel. Anything feels - a leaf feels, a storm feels - what right have you to do that? You have to have speech, and it's a cultivated speech.

It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.

Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men.

Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.

You will only get out of a dance class what you bring to it. Learn by practice.