Day 16 of 84 Days of 84 Ribbons: Why She Dances

Dance Magazine shared an article written by a new professional ballet dancer, Molly Wagner, in March, 2013 that fascinated me. Molly began dancing at age 13 after ending her gymnastics career. She is dancing her second year with the Kansas City Ballet.

Molly said dancing was like painting in that each canvas and each dance is unique. Both depend on interpretation and nuances. Both allow  for  individual expression and many balletomanes can see the differences the same dancer shares from one night to the next.

I must admit when I see a ballet danced by different ballet companies I seldom notice the interpretative differences. I think I am distracted by the sets, the costumes, the mime and the power of the music. I know some ballets have optional changes and variations but most of the time I miss them.

Molly also spoke of her exhilaration when she steps onto the stage. She begins to feel the movement of the dance. After the hours of rehearsals and the hours of training her muscle memory, she connects with the audience and thinks, “let me show you my world.” She goes on to say that” the stage is my opportunity to be vulnerable and share a fragment of myself. I strive to touch another human being with my love of dancing during every show.”