My latest piece for Glamour
The joys and pains of adult ballet
A year ago, I was on my way to the Kennedy Center to see a ballet, when a dear friend told me about Miya Hisaka — the world-famous dancer and choreographer who was a longtime member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and recently resurrected the adult program at the Washington School of Ballet. Over the past few years, Miya has built one of the country’s most vibrant communities for adults seeking to learn — or relearn — the art of ballet, doubling the number of faculty and classes while quintupling the number of students from 1,600 to 8,000 (and counting!). As someone with a long and at times painful history with ballet, I was intrigued but scared to get back into the studio.
Turns out I had absolutely nothing to worry about.
Over these past few months, I have had the enormous gift of getting to witness the beautiful world Miya has built. In my latest piece for Glamour, I tell her story alongside the stories of the incredible students and teachers at the Washington School of Ballet’s adult program, of which I’m deeply grateful to say I’m now part.
I hope you enjoy reading, and be sure to remember — it’s never too late to pick up your childhood passions!
Your friend and fellow traveler,
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