Patricia McBride
Patricia McBride
Patricia McBrideis a ballerina who spent nearly 30 years dancing with the New York City Ballet...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionDancer
Date of Birth23 August 1942
CountryUnited States of America
jacques man tallest time
I danced with Jacques d'Amboise. At that time, he was the tallest man in the company. So it was a different kind of choreography. It was lyrical.
ballets cherish
I cherish the ballets made for myself by Mr. Balanchine. He never lost his temper. He was quiet, humble, the genius of the 20th century.
knew partner
Conrad Ludlow was an extraordinary partner... We just called him the greatest partner because he just knew what a woman's balance was.
danced sad
I want to be happy, to look back and feel I danced well at the end of my career and didn't dwindle off. It would be too sad.
dancing felt gave good
I always had an inferiority complex, like I wasn't good enough. I was shy. But dancing gave me so much joy, and I was good at it. I felt like a whole person because I could dance.
believe dream europe great happening houses life opera tour
I've had an extraordinary life as a dancer. You tour the world, you see all the great capitals of the world, the beautiful old opera houses all over Europe - you go everywhere. As a teenager, I would always say, 'I can't believe this is happening to little me,' because it was always a dream to dance.
When you're a star, critics can't make or break you.
anyone close dancers keeps learned love passed single teaching
Mr. Balanchine wanted me to be myself. He didn't want me to look like anyone else. I love teaching our company dancers the Balanchine ballets. I try to give them what was passed down to me and what I learned from him. They dance it so beautifully. It also keeps me close to Mr. Balanchine. He's with me every single day.
both danced dancers edward exciting gentle great rapport seen wonderful
It was extraordinary 'cause I was 17 years old when I first danced with Edward Villella. And we were both young. But I had seen him dance, and he was already a star. So he was just so gentle and wonderful and kind, and we had a great rapport together. He was one of the most exciting dancers of our day.
I was determined to dance. That's why I lasted so long.