Our Monthly “Meet the Artist” Series- KIRSTEN GLASER

THE BASICS
Name: Kirsten Glaser
Age: 20
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Hometown: Brewster, MA
Role in C’ville Ballet: Company dancer
FAVORITES…
Food: Chinese Food
Color: Purple
Book: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Movie: Thumbelina
Musician/Band: The Rascal Flatts
Quotation: “What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.” -Aristotle
Business/Store in C’ville: Gotta say Java Express!
NERDY BALLET QUESTIONS
Tell us about your dance background and training:
I started dancing at Cape Cod School of Ballet when I was 3 years old. I then continued to pursue my dream of dancing at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts when I was 14. I stayed there in Connecticut until I graduated from high school. I then spent a year in Colorado dancing in Colorado Ballet’s studio company before joining Charlottesville Ballet.
What genres of dance do you enjoy?
I mainly enjoy ballet, but I think that every form of dance is interesting and beautiful in it’s own way.
What kind of pointe shoe do you wear?
Bloch Serenades or Russian Pointes
Favorite Dancers or Role Models:
I honestly don’t think I have a favorite dancer, but I do have plenty of role models. My mom, my sister and grandmother are huge role models for me– if it weren’t for the three of them I don’t think I would have made it this far. Another role model of mine is Eleanor D’Antuono, who was one of my teachers at the Nutmeg Conservatory. She took me under her wing and taught me everything I might need to know about the dance world. Check out footage of her dancing with Ivan Nagy in Les Sylphides (1973):

Do you have a favorite ballet:
I think I would have to say that Le Corsaire is one of my favorite ballets. I think that the choreography and music are beautiful and I really enjoy getting to dance pieces from that ballet.

What’s your favorite ballet/dance step:
Pirouettes. Every time you do one it will never be the same as the last. Sometimes you can do a perfect triple and land it, other days you can only do two. It’s enlightening to figure out what you changed to make your double piroutte a triple.
Tell us, why do you dance?
I dance because I love it, plain and simple. I enjoy that I can express myself in such an elegant way. Every ballet tells a different story and its always exciting to become a different character.
OTHER
What other jobs/activities/academic pursuits are you involved in? I currently work at the McDonalds in Ruckersville as a crew trainer (the new store has bamboo flooring and recycled counter tops– come visit!) I hope to someday return to school to get my degree in Psychology.
What other talents or passions do you have? Some of my other passions include writing and baking. When I have free time I like to create stories and poetry. Someday I hope I will be able to come up with a best selling novel, but for now I will continue to do it for fun. As far as baking goes, whether its brownies, cookies, or cakes, I like to invent my own flavors and make something delicious that I can share with my friends and family.
Anything else you’d like to express: The company is now rehearsing works for the null and I’m really excited to see how the new pieces unfold. Come see the company perform on April 16th at 7:30pm!

Kirsten’s full professional bio can be found online at www.CharlottesvilleBallet.org.
Thanks for enjoying our “Meet the Artist” segment–
and look for a new Charlottesville Ballet artist profile next month!

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