Ep.114. Interview with Tiler Peck. NYCB Principal Dancer. Musicality, Perfectionism, Being Yourself and Breaking the Rules!

Hello Everyone, I am so excited for you all to listen to this really pleasant conversation I had with Tiler Peck. The world renowned, incredibly dynamic, musical and versatile dancer of today. People have said about her "I don't even have to hear the music to be able to know what it sounds like when I watch you dance." Tiler Peck started dancing at her mother's studio at the age of two and was introduced to various dance styles. She worked with former Bolshoi principal dancer Alla Khaniashvili and former New York City Ballet dancers Patricia Neary and Yvonne Munsey. Peck's journey led her to the School of American Ballet (SAB) and eventually to New York City Ballet. She had to navigate the transition from jazz to ballet and overcome feelings of comparison and insecurity. P eck's musicality is a defining characteristic of her dancing, and she describes it as being an extension of the music. She believes in breaking the rules and being fearless on stage. In this conversation, Tiler Peck discusses the importance of musicality in ballet and how it can be taught. Can it be taught to the degree Tiler is gifted? She emphasizes the need for dancers to listen to the music and become comfortable with it, allowing it to guide their movements. Tiler also shares her experience as a perfectionist and how it has both helped and hindered her progress. She highlights the importance of finding a balance between striving for perfection and letting go to fully express oneself. Tiler also talks about the significance of downtime and having experiences outside of ballet, which can enhance a dancer's artistry and bring more depth to their performances. Let's meet Tiler! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Early Dance Training 04:12 Transition to Ballet and School of American Ballet 07:32 Working with Former Bolshoi Principal Dancer 10:42 Choosing Ballet as the Focus 20:35 Musicality and Jazz Background 25:14 Maintaining Musicality in Ballet Training 27:45 Nerves and Performing 29:23 Definition of Musicality in Dance 35:28 Developing Musicality as a Student 36:24 The Importance of Musicality in Ballet 39:04 Teaching Musicality in Ballet 41:19 The Relationship Between Technical Ability and Musicality 42:56 Stretching Time and Musicality 47:10 The Pitfalls of Perfectionism 51:49 The Importance of Downtime and Life Outside of Ballet 56:28Finding Yourself Outside of Ballet 01:05:50 Exploring Other Creative Fields 01:09:10Takeaways and Conclusion ------ Enjoy! Like and subscribe! ---------------------------------- 14 day free trial to the BWI platform https://balletwithisabella.com/select-a-plan/ * My website - Online classes and courses Memberships to enhance you training Live classes and more! https://balletwithisabella.com MOST RECENT CLASSES AND COURSES GRAND ALLEGRO COURSE https://balletwithisabella.com/course/grand-allegro-course/ MAT MADNESS 14 DAY CHALLENGE https://balletwithisabella.com/course/mat-madness/ ABSOLUTE BEGINNER 8 WEEK COURSE https://balletwithisabella.com/plan/absolute-beginner-course/ * Listen to my podcast to enhance your mindset as a dancer! become more confident, with higher self esteem and self belief. Join thousands of listeners! https://open.spotify.com/show/72hZ7nnhKSG97VofHYPBOW?si=8ebb73d9aedf425e * Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balletwithisabella * Follow me on TIKTOK www.tiktok.com/@balletwithisabella Join the BWI Community! Your secret weapon to excellence https://balletwithisabella.com/select-a-plan/