Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov, nicknamed "Misha", is a Latvian-born Russian-American dancer, choreographer, and actor born in the Soviet Union, often cited alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev as one of the greatest ballet dancers in history. After a promising start in the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad, he defected to Canada in 1974 for more opportunities in western dance. After freelancing with many companies, he joined the New York City Ballet as a principal dancer to learn George Balanchine's style of movement...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionDancer
Date of Birth27 January 1948
CityRiga, Latvia
CountryUnited States of America
If your only dance experience is the Nutcracker, it will be a shock; hopefully shocking in a good way.
Dancing is my obsession. My life.
When I'm alone, I work sometimes with music, sometimes without and sometimes just listening to NPR.
To achieve some depth in your field requires a lot of sacrifices.
Dancers are stripped enough onstage. You don't have to know more about them than they've given you already.
People dance at any age.
I kind of lost interest in the classical dance. I was very much interested in the modern choreography.
Just sit and open your eyes and open your heart. It's dance theater.
You see, dancers are quite mature people because they start performing so early. They become professionals when they start to take everyday classes.
Fundamentals are the building blocks of fun.
I get speeding ticket like everybody else. If the restaurant is full I'm waiting in line like everybody else.
I want to do exactly what I want to do. I'd rather gamble on the box office than beg for a grant.
You cannot be happy with your family while being personally unhappy with your work. It's a Catch-22 kind of thing.
I am teaching more. That is what I do best.