The mirror is not you. The mirror is you looking at yourself.
George BalanchineRead
One is born to be a dancer. No teacher can work miracles, nor will years of training make a good dancer of an untalented pupil. One may be able to acquire a certain technical facility, but no one can ever 'acquire an exceptional talent.' I have never prided myself on having an unusually gifted pupil. A Pavlova is no one's pupil but God's.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Natural talent is essential in the pursuit of excellence in dance, beyond mere training.
George Balanchine emphasizes the importance of innate talent in the art of dancing. While technical training can enhance skills, it cannot create true artistry or exceptional talent that is believed to be a divine gift. Balanchine reflects on his experiences as a teacher, acknowledging that the most exceptional dancers possess a unique quality that goes beyond what can be taught, highlighting the complex interplay of nature and nurture in artistic achievement.
Themes
DanceTalentTrainingArtistryExceptional
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech at a dance academy graduation.
More from George Balanchine
All quotes →First comes the sweat. Then comes the beauty if you're very lucky and have said your prayers.
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I don't want people who want to dance; I want people who have to dance.
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God creates, I do not create. I assemble and I steal everywhere to do it - from what I see, from what the dancers can do, from what others do.
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Most ballet teachers in the United States are terrible. If they were in medicine, everyone would be poisoned.
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The pointes for girls, I always say, have to be like an elephant's trunk; strong and yet flexible and soft.
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