This month we are honored to have Kat Wildish as our Artist of the month. Kat is a former member of New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theater, and in her long career she
worked and performed with dancers of the caliber of Rudolph Nureyev, Gelsey Kirkland, and Mikhail Baryshnikov, to mention just a few.
Kat Wildish
Forum Artistico: A question that we usually ask to our artist is why you choose your artistic discipline, therefore we start with this question, how come you decided to become a dancer and why ballet?
Kat: In our elementary school they offered a field trip to the theater during the holiday season to see a ballet at the convention center. The ballet was "The Little Match Girl." She told this very sad story without using words and at that moment I was so inspired to dance because I didn't need to use words to communicate. Everyone would know what I was saying through dance. I loved ballet because it seemed so elusive and unattainable...a dream to escape my real world at home!
When summer was approaching the school handed all the students a flyer with summer activities and ballet was in there, so I rode my bike 3 miles to ballet classes twice a week at the community center. When school started in September my mom enrolled me is a proper classes at Anzia's School of Ballet, later to become the School of The Tampa Ballet.
F.A.: At what age did you start and what kind of dancing training you had?
Kat: I started the summer before my 9th birthday, with no prior training - just a heartfelt desire.
F.A.: Has there been anybody that particularly helped you?
Kat: My earliest ballet teacher Miss Anzia (RIP, visit http://anzia.homestead.com/video4.htmlfor my video remarks) She arranged and provided scholarship funds for me in many different instances, which allowed my education to grow outside her delicate tutelage. She took me to performances of the orchestra and theater and widened my perspective of possibilities and artistry. She allowed me to assist her in everything from accounting, making costumes and sets, to of course teaching!
Kat in "The Nutcraker"
F.A. : Was there a defining moment in your dancing career?
Kat: I took a job as an extra with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and one night while dancing I realized I had attained one of my childhood wishes: to dance center stage at the Met! However in my dreams I was not in the orgy scene of "Sampson & Delila," ha..ha..ha. Careful what you wish for!
F.A.: In your long dancing experience you performed many roles, which one is your favorite and in which role you identify yourself with?
Kat: Many, many years ago I asked the highest paid dancer in the world at that time roughly what that pays...lol, and he said (at that time) approximately $100 dollars per performing minute. So when I was invited by the Russian Government to perform, I did a short variation
of approximately 37 seconds and had a check in hand to share with him my achievement!
Teaching balletat the Ailey Extension in NYC
F.A.: Not so long ago you retired as professional ballet dancer. How was your transition from performing artist to teacher?
Kat: My teachers allowed me to teach things to the other dancers who weren't getting it in the back of the studio, and I just loved seeing them get it also. I have such a great passion for teaching others to dance and the rewards of seeing them achieve and move gracefully are just indescribable.
The transition was rather easy because I've been teaching alongside of my performing career for 35 years!
F.A.: Is there any advice that you want to give to artists that are going trough this transition?
Kat: If you have a passion for teaching, then explore that passion. Educate and get additional guidance. Attend courses (ie: http://www.abt.org/education/programsforeducators.asp, http://www.med.nyu.edu/hjd/harkness/) and continue to grow and learn so you can share not only your performing experience but also new insights of sports medicine findings and other knowledge available to guide and assist in the development of stronger, healthier dancers. It will enrich not only your life but the lives of all that you guide through a dancing career.
F.A.: Do you love the art of dancing differently now that you are mainly teaching?
Kat: Yes! It's nice not to have to always be in top form - however I do maintain a very high level of fitness. I can relate so deeply to the joys and hardships I see each dancer experience.
Teaching
F.A.: You have been teaching for years ballet at the Ailey Extension in New York City, can you tell us a little bit about this program?
Kat: The Ailey Extension programs embody Mr Ailey's legacy that dance comes form the people and that it should be given back to the people by making dance accessible and open to everyone. When I began teaching at the beautiful Ailey Studios, I immediately felt I had found a home to accomplish the many additional dreams and goals I have for my students and myself.
The Extension program allows me to offer workshops culminating in actual performances in the Ailey Citigroup Theater here in house, an opportunity unmatched for these students. We do this to sold out audiences at least three times per year! We also provide workshops to learn and practice classical ballet variations and so many other options I have yet to explore! All of my classes are open to the community for all levels of dancers.
F.A.: Is there a particular technique that you teach?
Kat: Yes, I teach classical ballet. In my classes you'll learn movements and a blended syllabus from my experiences and training in American Ballet Theatre, School of American Ballet, Royal Academy of Dancing, Cecchetti method, etc., along with practical tips and knowledge passed down through my many great teachers, coaches and choreographers that I have had the great fortune to work with. I try and put a great deal of fun and humor in the learning process and also to educate my students in the nuances, details, and language of classical ballet.
F.A.: What is a good age to seriously start studying ballet?
Kat: Seriously, I would say 8 years old. However there are wonderful programs being provided for children at earlier ages that allow them to dance and play and develop and nurture the joy of dancing without being too serious.
Kat coaching a variation
F.A.: Because of the numerous young dancers that are part of our community, can you tell us how do you recognize talent in a young dancer and what, usually, are the requirements to become a professional dancer?
Kat: Focus and dedication. Often times if we get too scattered with our activities, we don't really harness the focus of mastering. It's really important to draw from our real life experiences and to have fun, and it's also most important to really focus on the job at hand. When an aspiring dancer cares to take care of their appearance and attention to details, it also shows in their work and practice.
Eating healthy, hydrating, and getting proper rest also show in the energy you give out. These are some of the many requirements that need to be instilled in a serious professional dancer.
F.A.: A lot of dancers take on choreography during or after their performing career. Do you choreograph? And what is your approach to choreography?
Kat: I set existing choreography, mostly. I have choreographed but it is really not my forte'. Currently I'm setting sections of the classic ballets on adult student dancers who may never have a chance to actually dance in a ballet. My adults are usually great fans of the ballets and I afford them the privilege of actually performing these classic sections.
F.A: A few times a year you organize dancing showcases at the Alvin Ailey Dance School in NYC. Can you tell us more about them and who can participate?
Kat: I allow everyone to participate. It’s a lot of work and they must dedicate their time to rehearse. Once we had a girl who had looked in the windows at The Ailey Studios. She had never before danced in her life, and she joined our showcase rehearsals to perform in our “La Bayadere” production. Oh how proud I am of her continued progress! Mostly I set the classics and I also invite many different choreographers and groups to join in the program so we can learn from the professionals and everyone around us how to best handle yourself in the theater. The showcases grow and grow and we continue to learn from each other. Students from many genres are encouraged to cross train and learn from each other's mistakes and victories.
Kat Wildish (Center) and a group of perfromers at the last showcase at Alvin Ailey Dance School in NYC
F.A.: Are you currently working in a project or a production?
Kat: Yes we have two performances this month, March 21st, of "Paquita" including the polonaise, mazurka, and finale. Also on our program this time will be BEings Dance Company, Ashley Carter dancers, 360 full Circle Dance Company, Vic DiMonda dancers, Ursula Verduzco dancers, Pavan Thimmaiah dancers, Bev Brown Dancers, Robin Dunn dancers and more.
Kat: Next month, in April, I'm heading over to Italy to teach (http://www2.fif.it/index.php?id=2662) & add a lil holiday time on top of that. I just adore Italy. On and off during June and July I'll be traveling around the country teaching. Our summer Performing in New York intensive workshop at The Ailey Extension is August 9-29 (details: http://www.alvinailey.org/page.php?p=arti&v=643). I really love the summers in New York City because wonderful dancers come from all over the world to train here. I'm working now on expanding my performance productions to also include entire shows of small professional companies who just cannot raise the funds to perform in midtown-Manhattan. I also would love to bring in established choreographers to create work with the Ailey Extension students here. Performing often allows dancers to develop artistry and confidence beyond the classroom setting. I'd like to able to arrange many more performing opportunities as learning experiences to dancers.
F A : Based on your personal experience, what would you advise other young artists that are thinking of undertaking a career as an artist?
Kat: Stay focused! It's not an easy choice and it doesn't get easier. Have a back up plan because no matter how focused and trained you may be, not everyone will make it! You must look at this as a passion in your heart and you are really doing this because you have to. You are driven! This is your essence, who you are! Cross train to stay in top form and injury free (Yoga, Gyrotonics). Eat healthy, hydrate, smile, and enjoy the journey!
F.A.: Thank you very much for the interview and good luck with your projects.
For more information and contact Kat Wildish, you can see her profile in our community.
