Dylan Gutierrez from Joffrey Ballet is our new ‘on stage’ dancer. Dylan previously danced with the San Francisco Ballet before moving to Chicago to perform with The Joffrey Ballet.

en l’air: Besides ballet clothes, what’s in your locker or dance bag?

Here is a highlight video of SFB’s Davit Karapetyan. Check out SFB’s “interact” site to see more videos of all of their principle dancers.

Miles Pertl, an American from Kirkland, Washington is a student at the John Cranko Schule in Stuttgart, Germany. In his third year and in the highest level, Miles tells us what it’s like to be a foreign student in a German ballet school.

en l’air: What other schools have you been to?

Miles Pertl: I attended PNB (Pacific Northwest Ballet) for a couple years and then switched in 2004, I switched to IBT (International Ballet Theater). I switched because there was better training and more performance opportunities. I also went to SFBS (San Francisco Ballet School) summer sessions in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

en l’air: How did you get to Germany?

Miles Pertl: In 2007 I participated in YAGP and did well. Mr. Matacz (the director of the school in Stuttgart) offered me a spot immediately after seeing my modern solo there. It took a lot of thought to decide where to go (I also had offers at ABT studio company and SFBS trainee program). In the end, I decided to come to Stuttgart because it had and stronger school and the obvious…it was in Europe!!!

en l’air: What is your basic day schedule like?

MP: Everyday is different, but right now, we start at 8:30 and have a two and a half hour ballet class. We then rehearse for the upcoming shows. I am doing “In and Out” by Hans van Manen, “Concerto” by Macmillan, “Words Unsaid” by Sascha Rivera and “Pineapple Poll” by John Cranko. Not to mention that soon we will have to perform a hip hop number and a 15 min flamenco piece. So with all of these pieces we rehearse a lot! On top of these rehearsals we have pas de deux/variations every week. We also have modern workshops scattered throughout the year. There are very few days that we finish early.

en l’air:Who are your main teachers?

MP: My main teachers are Peter Pestov. He is an 80 year old man from Moscow. He is the teacher of Vladimir Malakhov, Alexei Ratmansky, Yuri Possokhov, Sascha Radetsky, Mikhail Kaniskin, Gennadi Saveliev, Nikolai Tsiskaridze and many many more. He is a legend and he proves it everyday we take class with him. He pushes you harder than anyone else would, and makes you work in ways that no one else could.

en l’air: What’s your status with Academic School?

MP: I graduated from Lake washington High school in 2007 with a diploma. I finished High school just in time to come to Stuttgart.

MP: I have so many favorite dancers. my favorite classical ballet dancers are Mikhail Baryshnikov and Sylvie Guillem. But my favorite dancer of all time is Ana Laguna. She is a true dance artist that can make you upset or cry just by doing a simple tendu.

en l’air: Favorite ballet to watch?

MP: Carmen By “Mats Ek”. Each time I watch it, I see something new and feel something new (and I’ve watched it a lot!) This choreography looks so simple but has so many layers underneath. It has an arc to it: from beginning everything connects to what was before it and what was after it, but it still has the abilty to surprise.

“Petit Mort” By Kylian
“Poeme de l’Extase” By Cranko
Anything new that Forsythe creates
La Maison de Bernarda Alba” By Mats Ek
and something by Jasmin Vardimon
( I really want to be a part of new pieces being created)

MP: I love being on stage. Its an answer that everyone gives to this type of question but it is true. The experience of being backstage and feeling that atmosphere is very specifically unique to the world of dance. Thats what I love most about ballet.

MP: Blind Pilot -Three rounds and a sound (the whole album kicks ass)
Bon Iver – for Emma forever ago
Modest Mouse – Good news for people who love bad news
Kaiser Chiefs

MP: A lot of chocolate. hot hands (hand warmers), my ticket to Sylvie Guillem’s show last month.

MP: My girlfriend! Music, baseball, football, soccer, basketball, coffee, pizza, and rootbeer.

MP: Im really looking forward to dancing new pieces and participating in the creation of new ballets

en l’air: What do you like most about your school in particular?

MP: I love how international our school is. We have kids from all over the world (Italy, Brazil, Canada, Germany, France, Armenia, Turkey, the U.S., England, Serbia, Japan, Mexico, Korea, Holland, and Ukraine) having such a mix really improves everyone’s dancing and their knowledge of the dance world. Plus you are able to make friends that will last a lifetime from around the world!

Roberto Bolle and Darcey Bussell (photo by M. Brescia)

Jón Vallejo in William Forsythe’s Enemy in the Figure © Dresden SemperOper Ballett

en l’air: Where are you from?

Spencer Badesch: I was born in Columbia, South Carolina. Grew up in West Palm Beach, Fl and went to high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts. I like to consider myself from North Carolina

en l’air: Schools you’ve attended?

Spencer Badesch: Academy of Ballet Florida, The North Carolina School of the Arts, The Washington Ballet School, and the Joffrey Academy of Dance

en l’air: How many years?

SB: Like ten years at Ballet Florida, 4 amazing years at NCSA, and a year at Washington Ballet

en l’air: Summer Programs?

SB: Ballet Austin, The Harid Conservatory, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, ABT NYC

en l’air: What is your schedule like at Joffrey?

SB: Basic Day. Joffrey Ballet’s Trainees’ have class from 1 to 6 every weekday and 10 to 4 on Saturdays. We begin with techique class, followed by men’s class, partnering, contemporary, rehearsals, etc. The trainees take class with the company on a rotating schedule and when casted in a company production, rehearse with the company each day.

en l’air: Who are some of your teachers?

SB: At Joffrey we have Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev. The teachers that have meant the most to me are Donna Morgan, Christine Spizzo, Nina Danivola, Kee-Juan Han and Carlos Varcarcel. There is nothing better then finding a good teacher. My teachers not only taught me the fundementals of ballet, but also influced who I am as a person today.

en l’air: What is some repetory you have done this year in class? Unfortunately, I have spent the majority of this year sidelined by a knee injury. The Joffrey trainees get to learn tons of good rep. Once I get back to dancing, I hope to learn more Aprino ballets as well as anything classical.

en l’air: What is your Academic School status?

SB: I graduated North Carolina School of the Arts

en l’air: Favorite Male and Female dancer? Favorite male would probably be David Hallberg. His musicality, ability to make everything look so effortless, and the way be really becomes the chartacter he is portraying really make him stand out. Not of mention, he was blessed with a perfect ballet facility. I have many favorite female dancers! I love to watch anything Diana Vishneva dances. She is the definition of beauty. Also I really enjoy Tamara Rojo’s dancing. After I saw her dance MacMillian’s Manon this summer, I can’t get enough of her.

en l’air: Favorite ballet to watch?

SB:Classical.. it would be between Giselle and Romeo and Juliet. I also love to watch anything by Alonzo King or Jiri Kylian

en l’air: 6 Ballets you have to do before retiring?

SB: Albrecht in Giselle, Romeo and R&J, Siegfried in Swan Lake, anything by Alonzo King and Kylian, and many Chris Wheeldon ballets…

en l’air: Why do you like ballet?

SB: I feel free when I’m dancing, its so relaxing. I enjoy all the work that goes into making everything look effortless

en l’air: Most Played on your iPod recently?

SB: anything classical

en l’air: Things you like other than ballet?

SB: computers, politics, business, electronics

en l’air: What are you most looking forward to?

SB: hopefully joining a company soon

en l’air: Hardest part of being a student?

SB: dress code!

Myles Thatcher, Apprentice, San Francisco Ballet

Photo by Oliver Endahl of Ballet Zaida

Steven McRae in Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet

Edward Watson and Alina Cojocaru in Wayne McGregor’s Chroma Johan Persson

Photo of the Week will be posted every Sunday.

en l’air: Besides ballet clothes, what is in your locker and dance bag?

Max Levy: My bag usually has a book. Right now I’m reading “Kafka on the Shore” by Haruki Murakami. For paranoia’s sake, I always have contact solution, eye drops, Benadryl, Icy Hot, my glasses, EmergenC packets, quarters, a 3-prong to 2-prong outlet converter (don’t ask) and pens. I have alot of crap. In my locker, it’s all dance clothes except for a deck of cards and a Yellow Power Ranger action figure.

en l’air: What ballet schools did you attend and how long at each?

Max Levy: I started training in Tokyo, Japan at a small studio, and continued at another small school when I moved to Colorado. When I turned 16, I was invited as a trainee to San Francisco Ballet, and I was there for 2 years.

en l’air: What type of ballet shoe do you wear?

ML: Sansha Pro 1-C. Usually tan, if you’ve got it. Haven’t worn anything else for the past 4 years.

en l’air: What’s playing on your iPod right now?

ML: Last thing I heard on my iPizzle was “The Clock” by Thom Yorke.

en l’air: Do you have any embarrassing ballet moments?

ML: That would be all the times I’ve had to watch videos of myself from years back with my family and friends.

en l’air: What is your favorite ballet?

ML: Most people think “favorite ballet” pertains to some classic, 3-act production. Out of those, most of them are not really for me. Contemporary ballet is where it’s at for me. From what I’ve seen live most recently, Kylian’s “Sleepless” or Didy Veldman’s “frame of view” really hits the spot.

en l’air: What’s the most memorable performance you have seen?

ML: I’d have to say watching the Reverb show at the Ailey Center a year ago was probably the most dramatic show I’ve ever seen. The mix of styles, the amount of collaboration, and the fact that people were coming together for a celebration of their unique talents. As cheesy as it sounds, all the cliche things people say about ballet, dancing, community and communal spirit is ridiculously applicable and very real when you let it in.

en l’air: What’s the most memorable performance you have been in?

ML: One of my most amazing shows I’ve had the chance to be a part of was the San Francisco Ballet’s 75th Anniversary Gala. Even more important than the glamour of the gala, was that we were performing John Neumeier’s “Yondering”. With a cast of 20 something students, it was one of the best bonding experiences to take part in such a beautiful and emotional ballet.

en l’air: Do you have a pre-show ritual?

ML: It depends on each day and every show. Sometimes I’ll meditate. Other times I’ll relax and not worry about the show at all. But no matter what, I usually jam to my iPod and keep my body warm.

en l’air: What do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies?

ML: I like to draw a lot. I’ve drawn since I was a little kid, and it still keeps going today. I’ve been learning to try out new mediums, working on t-shirts as well as walls, paper, cardboard, candy wrappers, skin. Aside from art, I play a lot of video games. Sure it’s bad for our brains or whatever they say, but I do love it. I’ve been playing EVE Online, a futuristic space game with thousands of other people. If any of you know gaming terminology, it’s like WoW, but with less whiney 12 year-olds.

en l’air: If you were not a dancer, what else would you be doing?

ML: If I wasn’t a dancer, I’d probably dedicate all my time to art.

en l’air: Do you have any advice for nonprofessional dancers?

ML: A lot of times, you may hate a teacher, or think he/she is a stuck-up prick with favorites and will never be worthwhile to listen to. But you have to realize that if the teacher has something to say, listen, process, THEN judge. If the advice or words of wisdom really are full of crap, then you can filter it out. But take what everyone has to say seriously and see if it’s worth applying to your life. A lot of times, this will help you realize the value in everything and maybe you’ll even start to like the teachers you used to think were so worthless. As a student you have to realize that you’re shining “1-up” compared to a majority of professionals is perfect technique. As you spend more time in a company, your technique will most likely start to degrade. So as a student, make your technique something everyone can envy in you. Then when you become a professional, maintain that focus. So many people lose and especially if you have that technique, it’d be a shame for you to lose it too.

en l’air: What is the absolute best thing about being in a company?

ML: You get paid! No really. It’s wonderful to wake up everyday and get to do something you want to do. So many people will live two separate lives. One of work, and one of happiness, when they’re “off” of work. But with us, our work is our life. You can’t avoid it, and it’s a part of you no matter what you’re doing elsewhere.

en l’air: What is the hardest part of being a professional?

ML: I suppose the most difficult times in being a professional is just the same in being a student. Doing dances you think are worthless, or getting parts that aren’t as important as you want to be. There’s always hard times as a dancer, but that’s just part of the growth in realizing what it is you want to do, and what makes dancing worthwhile for each and every individual. And also, the second hardest part is doing these dumb interviews….I’m kidding.

What does Max teach us? First of all, never to use the word iPizzle. Second of all there is much more to ballet than the “giselles” and “swan lakes”. And thirdly, don’t let go of your technique!