Photo Gallery: Venice Trip

After London and Paris on my first Eurotrip back in June, I spent a week exploring different places in Italy. First top: Venice, which quickly became one of my favorite places on Earth.

More Italian photos coming soon :)

Photo Gallery: London Trip

Earlier this summer I made another dream come true - my first trip to Europe! I've been trying to go for several years now and for one reason or another things fell apart last minute. In June I finally had both time and money (at the same time) and treated myself to a two week trip. It was amazing!

I had very little time to hit all the places at the top of my list, so I only got a day or two in each place. I started in London. Here are a few photos from my dance sightseeing :)

Even though we have Freed of London in New York (now 2 locations!) and I stopped wearing Freeds post-surgery, I still had to visit the main store while I was there! It's small and not unlike any NYC dance retailer but...you know...

When I went to try on a leotard there, I saw that their fitting rooms had autographed photos from famous ballerinas who had been there. This was Eva Evdokimova, who passed away not too long ago.

And Carla Fracci.

I really badly wanted to tour the Royal Opera House but didn't plan in advance (even though that was my #1 thing I wanted to do in London...stupid...) so the tour was sold out for both days I was in the city. Sad.

I did go to Buckingham Palace though.

And saw a billboard for Wheeldon's recent new production of Alice in Wonderland at the ROH.

My first day brought serious jetlag, but the second day I took class at Pineapple Dance Studios. Decent class - nothing special.

The West End had mostly all shows that are currently running in New York, but I went to see "Love Never Dies," the sequel to "Phantom of the Opera" that hits Broadway soon.

And then yes, there was the normal tourist sites. Here's the London Eye, though I didn't get to go on it.

And beautiful Big Ben.

Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker poster outside Sadler's Wells.

I saw a very avant-garde performance at Sadler's Wells. I mostly bought the ticket to see the theater :)

It's a cool space!

London reminded me very much of New York - a very walkable city with lots to see and do. I roamed the streets and got caught in the rain and did some shopping. It was smart to have my first stop be an English speaking place.

Photos from Paris and Italy coming soon!

2010: The Year of Highest Highs and Lower Lows

2010. It's the end. The end of another year -- of a decade.

I seem to say this all the time, but it's incredible how much happens in a year -- and how much doesn't. Time fllies. I tend to live a life of extremes, and for me this year has had some of the highest high points and lowest low points of my entire life. I have SO much to be thankful for. So many people to be grateful for.

Back in July I had a full-page story about my dance career in the Sunday New York Times Arts & Leisure section. That was by far the biggest, most exciting thing to happen to me (and to ever happen, probably). Though it added a bit of stress for the first half of the year, being followed by a (wonderful!) reporter and photographer all the time, the end result was incredible. I was SO lucky to have that experience, and I am so thankful for the response I got afterwards from friends and strangers finding my story inspiring.

The only comparable event in my life thus far was dancing in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and unfortunately that took a turn for the worse soon after the article. My foot, which had been getting increasingly painful, made me unable to really train for the audition in August. Between not returning to that amazing seasonal job and having to have surgery on my achilles, the rest of my year was a little downhill.

I've had rough patches in years past and every time something better comes out of them. So...that's my outlook for 2011. Things can only get better from here, right?

Last year at this time I was finishing up my 2nd season in the Christmas Show and on New Year's Eve I sat with friends who had written down their resolutions for 2010. I sat with an empty paper -- no plans whatsoever for the year. No job lined up. No performances scheduled. No clue.

This year I danced for 4 new different companies, secured a stable part-time job (related to my degree) with flexible hours (that I still work), moved out of my Lincoln Center apartment of 2 years for a more affordable place in Queens, started teaching more and began my New York City Ballet Workout certification, upped my title to Assistant Director of the Performing in NY Showcases, met an amazing person, started singing lessons, appeared in a commercial and became SAG eligible, got great coverage in The Huffington Post, and managed to go no more than 3 weeks without performing until I had surgery.

I'm entering 2011 with another blank slate. As my foot continues to hurt and heal it's hard to make concrete plans -- which is extremely frustrating for someone who needs control and stability! But I have one long-term dance residency job lined up and a few things in the works. I'm starting a work-study program to begin my pilates certification. We're in preparations to produce another Performing in NY Showcase at Ailey. I still have my job. And I've sent out 50 resumes abroad to hopefully set up an audition tour in Europe.

There are a lot of things I'm hoping for this year. Chief among them is my foot to finally stop hurting and contiue to get stronger.

2010 was a year to get grounded. 2011 will be my year to dream.

This time of year is always a little blue...post-holidays, post-Nutcracker, post-Radio City...but it's also a time to be optimistic. January is a fresh start. 2011 is new. I hope everyone makes their dreams come true this year! I know I'll be working hard for mine...

I am so thankful for all of my experiences, the good and the bad, for I am constantly learning. I have an amazing support system of family, friends, readers, and teachers and am grateful every single day to have them in my life, near or far. I can never express how much I appreciate those who have supported me, who have listened to me, who have given me opportunities, who have encouraged me.

Here's to you!
Happy New Year!

Performing in NY August Showcase Photos

Kat Wildish and our Performing in NY Summer Intensive Dancers

Last weekend we had another of our Performing in New York Showcases - of which I am now officially Assistant Director. I'll write later about all the work that went into the 3-week intensive leading up to the shows, but here are a few pictures!

I danced in (and helped teach) the Tarantella based on "Napoli" (one of my favorite ballets that I also danced while at BAE), and with Exit 12 Dance Company in an emotional work called "Homecoming."

Exit 12 Dance Company - I'm in the wrong costume :o

Exit 12 Dance Company - "Homecoming" Bows
"Homecoming" - I'm on the left

Being silly
"Tarantella"

"Tarantella" - awkward moment just before the end, haha

Celebrating afterwards with my fantastic yoga teacher and ballet teacher :)

DCA in DC: Photos 1

I've spent the day bidding farewell to one of my best friends leaving the city tomorrow :( so I haven't had a chance to write about the conference panel discussions yet. For now, here's the first batch of photos I took at the Kennedy Center and around DC. More to come.

I'm off to see ABT's Sleeping Beauty tonight :)

i pretend to be a photographer

Two weeks a year I pretend I'm a photographer: the week in early November when the foliage is at its peak, and the week mid-April when the trees blossom into clouds of pink! It's unfortunate that they don't remain pink all year round...I think that would make the world a little happier, haha. They make me smile on an otherwise crazy Monday...





All photos (c) Taylor 2008

Salt Lake City - so long

I'm home sweet home back to my tiny little cramped can't-see-nature apartment in NYC after my weekend in open, free, peaceful Salt Lake City. I'm actually kind of glad to be back...I'm not good at relaxing and taking time off, even though I desperately needed it...It was a great weekend, and again, I promise details tomorrow. Right now, it's bedtime since my body clock is all messed up thanks to the time difference and daylight savings...and I have to take class early tomorrow before rehearsal! Ahh.

Few more fun pictures from the wild west

Salt Lake City - the hike

(view from the plane...those aren't clouds, they're mountains!)

This is my last morning in Salt Lake City...and I finally had a moment to upload the many many pictures I took over the weekend. Here are just a few from yesterday's hike. Yes, a HIKE. Through the pretty mountains. I'm not one for nature (Central Park is just enough, haha) but this was wonderful!

I'm heading home to the city later this afternoon, but I won't be back til really late. Tomorrow's a busy day with rehearsal (my reason for coming back so quickly...see last week's posts) but maybe tomorrow night I'll write details of my trip. It's been fun!

pictures brighten my day

I love pictures. I always hate being in them at the time, but to see them later and relive the memories is so fun. And I enjoy taking pictures as well, even though I know often times people feel the same way about not wanting to stop and pose, haha.

I got a whole batch of recent photos today from a photographer friend and thought I'd share just a few...

we are totally serious in ballet class...haha


see?


my graduation dinner after our little performance last week

showcase pictures

Some pictures from Sunday's little showcase, and dinner afterwards :)

my visiting family and friends from class...all together! (can't see half the table here...)


my partner for swan lake, gregory


no pointe shoes...that's why i look so short on the right there :(


weird one, but some random moment during my gamzatti variation