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
I adored my mother, and I will always have extraordinary memories about her and remember her, and she opened the doors for me to appreciate arts.
He is a male butterfly without the wings - the same kind of grace of a very young horse, so angular.
What brought me to the theater, no matter you're a Jew or a Russian or Armenian or Latvian, are suddenly illuminated by stage light and one beautiful image of dance.
You cannot be happy with your family while being personally unhappy with your work. It's a Catch-22 kind of thing.
I want to do exactly what I want to do. I'd rather gamble on the box office than beg for a grant.
I get speeding ticket like everybody else. If the restaurant is full I'm waiting in line like everybody else.
Fundamentals are the building blocks of fun.
You see, dancers are quite mature people because they start performing so early. They become professionals when they start to take everyday classes.
I kind of lost interest in the classical dance. I was very much interested in the modern choreography.
People dance at any age.
Dancers are stripped enough onstage. You don't have to know more about them than they've given you already.
Dancing is my obsession. My life.
If your only dance experience is the Nutcracker, it will be a shock; hopefully shocking in a good way.
To achieve some depth in your field requires a lot of sacrifices.