World-class review of ballet and dance.
Born in St. Tropez, Lucy Elliott grew up in the south of France where she started dance classes at four years of age. By age 7, she knew wanted to dance professionally. She trained in Cannes, Paris Opera Ballet School, and Canada’s National Ballet School. Last September she went the European Ballet School in Amsterdam, before joining the Paris Opera Ballet in January of this year, and before the lockdown, she was preparing to dance in George Balanchine’s iconic ballet, “Serenade.”
Who is on your pre-show/warm-up playlist?
I normally do my warmup routine play some music that I love. My pre-show playlist includes Anderson Paak, Kanye West, Beyonce, Daniel Caesar … Once I’ve warmed up I go on stage, I go through the choreography, remembering the last changes and notes …
Describe your preparation for “Serenade”
When I discovered I was going to be part of “Serenade” I felt extremely lucky. Balanchine’s choreography is so beautiful and touching. My favourite part is the opening scene, it has such a strong female energy. I’m an understudy so I have to learn every spot of the corps ballet, so it’s pretty challenging but I feel so privileged to be part of this ballet and to [eventually] be performing it on stage of the Opera Bastille with Paris Opera Ballet!
What’s the greatest challenge of being a dancer?
To always improve and grow, you can always be a better version of yourself.
If you weren’t a dancer, you’d be …
I’ve never really thought about it but I would love to pursue a career around the ballet world or the fashion world.
Words of advice to your teenage self:
To not overthink, and be confident.
How do you recharge?
For me recharge is all about self care, from the littlest things such as taking a warm bath to fuelling my body with healthy goods.
Stage or rehearsal?
Both! I love working in the studio, learning new pieces and being inspired by other dancers around me, however nothing feels better than performing on stage.
Which choreographer would you most like to work with?
Definitely William Forsythe, Crystal Pite, Davis Dawson and and more . . .
Favourite place you’ve danced/performed?
Dancing at the Palais Garnier has always felt like magic since I joined Paris Opera Ballet school.
Dream role!!!
There are so many! But I would love to work on the role of Giselle as it's my favourite ballet.
“Uncommonly intelligent, substantial coverage.”
Your weekly source for world-class dance reviews, interviews, articles, and more.
Already a paid subscriber? Login
A ballet career necessitates lifelong scholarship. Professionals take a daily technique class that begins with the same pliés at the barre as absolute beginners. Most days at the School of American Ballet, New York City Ballet members are tucked into in a corner of the studio, honing their tendus alongside the top divisions.
Continue Reading
Jessica Lang is smack in the middle of a three-year stint as resident choreographer at Seattle’s Pacific Northwest Ballet. It’s an excellent artistic match that deserves to be followed closely, because both Lang and PNB merit a higher national profile.
Continue Reading
The close-knit ballet scene in San Diego was dealt a blow when California Ballet, the company Maxine Mahon founded in 1968, folded in 2020. Insiders tell me the pandemic wasn’t entirely to blame, but since then, Golden State Ballet, still wet behind the ears, has risen in its place.
Continue Reading
Now in its fifth year, New York City’s Lincoln Center Summer for the City is going all out for dance. This year, the festival will inaugurate the much-anticipated Lincoln Center Contemporary Dance Festival in Alice Tully Hall, featuring five international companies, as well as a new outdoor contemporary dance series called Dance Encounters, presented outside on Hearst Plaza.
Continue Reading
comments