About last night ⏩️
Congratulations to @balletvancouver on your opening performance, it felt surreal to be returning to where it all began for me. I had so many friends and family members there for the show, and there was a deep sense of community felt throughout the entire theatre. Thank you to Josh, Wen Wei, Stephanie, Heather, Jill, Crystal, and to all the fantastic dancers for the work leading up to last night. My heart is full of appreciation and joy for all of you. #balletvancouver
Soirée Nocturne, which made its world premiere during ABT’s virtual season in 2021, is coming to Raleigh this summer as a part of our gala performance BEYOND: THE BBSI EXPERIENCE. Danced by ABT dancers Ingrid Thoms & Cameron McCune with original choreography by fellow gala performer Melvin Lawovi, this pas de deux is a stunning sight to see. Get your tickets today! #beyondbbsi
Wild ride from being at the ABT cast party doing my thing, to finding out I have a principal role to do in less than 24 hours 🏹 Catch me as Orion one more time tonight. #ballet
Super happy to be revisiting Ashton’s masterpiece Sylvia this week in California. Catch me as the hunter Orion on Saturday Night @ 7:30 alongside @skylarbrandt 🏹 & as Jaseion on Friday & Sunday with @virginialensi 💕
Currently in the UK for a week of class and private coaching at The Royal Ballet. I wish to be the best dancer I can possibly be, and the only way there is through tireless commitment to the craft and the process. Happy to be putting in the WORK. #training
My sincerest appreciation goes to American Ballet Theatre AD Susan Jaffe for my soloist promotion, the entire artistic staff for the endless hours of coaching / guidance, and of course to the dancers I work and grow with each day.
To my teachers, mentors, and friends who saw me through trials and triumphs, to my fans who show up nightly at the stage door to chat and support me and the ballet, and to my sponsors Paul, Susan, & Lisa. To my teachers and mentors Lani, Fiona, Meifang, Chan, Chris, Laura, Dmitri, Jennifer, Jock, Peter, Jeff, Maurice, and Antoine.
To Wayne McGregor, Alexei Ratmansky, & Michelle Dorrance who saw me and gave me chances to bring my most authentic and dedicated self with each opportunity.
To Alexandre Hammoudi who was my mentor as an apprentice and a brother to me for as long as we were in the company together. You pushed me harder than anyone and taught me everything I know about what a career at ABT can truly signify.
To my sister Emma who kept me driven and focused through the pandemic and coached me to be a stronger dancer and technician than ever before. To my mother for her unyielding belief in my dream and constant support and guidance.
My heart is full of gratitude to you all, and your fellowship on this journey of mine will never be forgotten. Thank you. #soloist
I’ve dreamt about this moment for what feels like an eternity. I’ve questioned so many things; how would I feel, what would I say, who would I think about? There’s still so much left to process but in this moment, I think of my family and my life.
My mother traded my bedtime stories for wiping my tears, and promised me better days to come. She was right. My sister showed me that diligence, responsibility, and resilience triumphs over potential every day of the week. She was right. Fueled by the experiences of my youth and the lessons learned, I moved to NYC at 17 with a dream in my luggage; to be the best dancer I can possibly be. I was right where I belonged.
Today I became a soloist with American Ballet Theatre. It was not easy. It was not the path I initially imagined for myself. It had many challenges I did not anticipate. The pandemic nearly took my dream away from me. When I returned to work I was an entirely different person in a city I didn’t recognize, with a new artistic director and a body that didn’t cooperate quite as easily as it did five years ago.
There’s been a few years now where I applaud earnestly and enthusiastically for my friends on their promotions, feeling the sting of uncertainty for my own future. Then I steady myself and get right back to work. Balancing sincere delight for others while fearing for my own future became just another dance for me to learn and memorize.
I realized that my moment would not bless me spontaneously or fall out the sky. I would have to take it. Earn it. Deserve it. Prove it. To myself, my company, my family, and the world. I’ve found my light before—my stride before, but it took eleven years for me to be the man I am today, and the dancer I was this season. Fueled by self-worth, gratitude, and determination, I saw my chances and took them. This is who I always wanted to be when I made it.
Here I am. Here I remain.
This is the beginning.
#soloist
