Treat each class as if it were your first.

I was very much of a tomboy.

After I stopped dancing, I was unable to listen to beautiful music.

I didn't have any doubts about my choice of career, but I had constant doubts about my ability, yes.

I set as my goal to be the best dancer I could be. Not the most famous, or the highest paid dancer, just the best I could be. Out of this discipline came great freedom and calm.

That the work involved, the willingness to take chances, the commitment, the opportunity to get on stage and make people happy, was more important than becoming famous, or even what I was dancing.

I had a wonderful childhood, coming from Cincinnati, and I think that it was great going into the life that I was going to have, where you have to start young as a dancer.