WELCOME TO MADAME B.'S INAUGURAL
MEN IN TIGHTS INTERVIEW!
JOIN US EACH MONTH FOR INTERESTING MALE DANCER WHO CALL NEW YORK CITY THEIR HOME!
Gracing the stages of NYC for the past 18 months, Daniil has fast become a New Yorker par excellence. Praised by the Audience and Critics alike, Daniil is rising to the status of a sort of ballet super-hero...bringing both lightening-sharp technical abilities with a stage presence many years his senior. The comparisons to "the other greats" of course have been clearly made, but Madame B. wondered...what's behind all this jazz?? As a dancer myself and a lover of not only ballet, I had of course seen Daniil perform on a number of occasions and had intuitively felt that somehow he was more than "just a ballet dancer". Indeed, my intuition was right! Read below to find out more!
THE TEASER COURSE:
NAME: Daniil Simkin
BIRTHPLACE: Novosibirsk, Russia -- 3rd Largest City in Russia.
AGE: 22
OCCUPATION: Ballet Dancer, Soloist: American Ballet Theatre, NYC
HOW LONG IN NYC?: 1&1/2 years.
Mama's Boy, or Papa's Pride? Mama's Boy. She taught me for 10 years, and I talk to her daily.
Your favorite meal?Pelmini, a Russian Style Pasta with Filling.
Can talent be overcome?I don't like the word Talent. It is too surface; it is such a combination of so many things and yet, no one knows what it is -- it is cliche.
Your Favorite Virtue?Strong Work Ethic.
What do you most value in your friends?Loyalty.
What are your principle defects?Perfectionist... and I think too much.
What is your dream of happiness?There is no "dream" of happiness -- happiness is something you decide each day -- it is something that comes from within.
What would you like to be, other than a dancer?When I was a younger boy, I thought I'd like to be a dentist. It seemed a smart choice for a good life.
What is the Color of Love?Black because black is no color.
What quality in a person moves you?Generosity.
What is your favorite gift received?The gift of Someone's Time.
Dinner for 2, or 3?2
Who do you most admire?My Parents.
Name a favorite composer?Mozart
Name a favorite Book. 2 come to mind: Fight Club, by Chuck Palahniuk & The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle
What is a favorite way to waste time?Thinking -- but I am trying to cut back!
Do Nice Guys Always Finish Last?No.
What is it you most dislike? Emotionalism -- when it is out of control.
What natural gift would you most like to possess?Beauty of the tongue -- ease of verbal expression.
In what would you like to be rather caught dead?A perfectly fitted, perfectly pressed Armani Suit.
What is your present state of mind?Right now, I am giving an interview.
What is your motto?(Try to) Go With The Flow.
Substance or Style?Both.
What is your vice?Thinking too much -- & Chocolate.
Marital bliss or bondage? There are always two sides. But I hope for Bliss.
If you had a million dollars....I would not change a thing!
What sort of Animal would you be?A Cat.
A Favorite Word(s):Cellar Door - supposedly the most beautiful words in the English language.
With what could you not do without?Cookies.
THE ENTREE COURSE:
You did not have a normal European ballet upbringing such as in being tucked away into an elite academy -- you were trained by your parents..at home. How has this affected your viewpoint as a dancer?
DS: In many ways I feel that this allowed me to become more comfortable in my own skin -- less self-conscious and perhaps a bit more assured. I was trained more similarly to a musician -- who trains privately -- not in a class of others. As such, I was kept out of an overly competitive environment. My Mother and I made my goals and I competed mainly with myself. I was trained in a very positive manner by my Mother -- who knew what would work for me and my body. I am very thankful for this great luck!
Most young trainees spend up to 7 hours a day practicing, regardless of their own individual needs or body type. I, as a former Athlete, have always found this idea a bit "curious" and even dangerous. Do you believe training with your parents has in some ways saved your body? Were they more respectful of your individual needs? DS: Well, I think it is important to realize that I attended a regular Academic School (not an Academic School for Dancers) and had normal academic pressures. I had homework and assignments, activities, etc. So, I could only train about 2 hours a day. Coming from a intensive conservatory experience themselves, my parents really thought it was important for me to have a broad education for myself -- giving me options to decide what I wanted to do. So we worked in a manner that fit with all of my other obligations. Again I was lucky -- and this schedule worked for me. Science has shown that different muscle types respond differently to training. I have a lot of fast-twitch muscle so it responds more readily to this kind of highly focused work.
Many professional dancers seem very sincere in their efforts to be "an Artist"-- very serious about their work.... and often appear burdened by their "calling". You seem at ease and thrilled to dance! How thrilled are you? Do you feel that this makes you any less sincere in your desire to communicate as an artist to your audience? Or do you feel misunderstood?
DS: First, I am a person. Me -- Daniil, myself. Then I am working on developing as a dancer. Most important you have to be yourself and trust that the Art will naturally develop from the working process...this comes often through the soul, or the sub-conscious mind. You can not put your finger on or define exactly what that is -- you can not "pose" as an Artist or "brood" as an Artist. You always see one's personality in the work, and I really enjoy the dancing. I am very happy to be doing this! But the more someone "tries to be an artist" the further away they become from the purpose of the Art, which is to allow the sub-conscious/soul to come through and express itself.
You are most often compared to Baryshnikov / Nureyev. What does this mean to you? What do those men mean to you?
DS: I feel so lucky! I am so privileged to be living my life as a dancer -- here in NYC, and for ABT. It is of course a great honor to be compared to these men -- who are amazing and who played such a great role in the history of ballet. However, I am really just trying to dance my dance, be myself. I don't want to get tricked into trying to become them or trying to better them. Certainly these men and others are my great inspirations -- and the comparisons are flattering and shocking. Also, My father really inspires me. Of course, I can study these Men and especially now with You Tube I can study so many of the great male dancers. But I don't want to get caught up in these ideas -- that can put a lot of pressure on me, and on others. Inevitably, I am just trying to deliver my own performance - just trying to be myself.
Given that audience numbers are dwindling -- and that there is a load of competition for the audience in today's society (you can watch an Opera at the movies nowadays for $12!)...what do you think is the one thing that is necessary to forward the classical form -- and what can prohibit this art form from moving forward?
DS: Our art-form and the approach of our art-form is a little dated. I believe that the veil of mystique needs to be lifted.... I am not a "special breed" of a human or some super-natural, royal person. I am a simple person, who is a dancer. This image of the Ballet World as being elite and mystical, I believe that this could be updated -- we need to give access into the community and to the dancers and dances. Our art-form has a lot of potential but only if it chooses to grows as our culture grows, only then can it be successful and appreciated into the future.
Abstract vs Classical -- both have their critics -- on one hand Abstract works can often be critiqued as isolating or lacking in artistic weight -- yet, they have certainly risen the barre as to the physical feats/demands, and from this standpoint can be exciting! Whereas The Classics, with their beautiful stories and history are sometimes critiqued as being passe. What do you think? Do you find this a valid concern for the form, or just a sort of noise?
DS: First, it is important to realize that Dance is the quintessential art-form in that its vehicle is human movement. Science has shown that 80-90% of human communication is non-verbal -- body language -- as in movement. So, to say that either is somehow against the other is I think to dismiss the human right to explore the many varieties of human movement or dance. When a group of people mutually agree to explore something then they have a right to be there. It is cliche to think that only Classical Dance has a soul. Classical Dance can be performed with or without a soul. Modern Dance can also be performed with a soul. For example, take Jiri Kilian, this has soul. Or take the work of Mat Eks -- his work is very physically demanding. Yet, when done with soul, when performed well, it gives an incredible amount back. It can be extremely moving. I prefer not to buy into simple cliche descriptions of one against the other.
How have you addressed the rising athletic demands of the form? Do you seek information from the Athletic Community to address the physical concerns?
DS: I have not really addressed myself as an athlete, per se. However I do think there is a lot of research available that I am interested in. In many ways the "performing arts" world lags behind on some the research being used on top athletes -- and well, dance is both athletic and artistic -- it is a both aspects -- not just fluff. It is mind connected to body. I am interested in anything that helps improve that.
You Tweet / Facebook etc etc. You have enough fans on Facebook to fill The Metropolitan Opera House - do you think this sort of changes the game in any sort of manner?
DS: No it doesn't change anything. I just think that we need more transparency in the community...it is good in 2010. Good for the audience and others to connect. Anyway, I am drawn to the computer -- ever since my father got one. I love technology! And I enjoy keeping in touch with people and making friends. It's fun -- it's a great past-time and it's what people do these days. It's normal.
Do you crave "A Dance Partnership?"
DS: Not in that traditional sense of having only one partner. It's good to develop with someone for sure, but it is enriching to have experience with different partners, with varying work.
"I am not an elitist and I suppose that is the bulk of my problem. Often times Elitism is mistaken for art." (Marilyn Monroe) How do you feel about this statement?
DS: Again, this whole thing with Elitism --it is sort of just making a point. Andy Warhol made his points. I think you can make a point -- even an elitist point, that doesn't mean you are making art. This elitist portrayal of the ballet or of a ballet dancer, this seems self-important to me -- it is not art. Again all this mysticism, for me is sort of false -- I am not attracted to these ideas -- it loses its magic, somehow, you know? You have to be humble to create art on a high level, get past the self-absorption -- that's just my point of view.
THANK YOU DANIIL!
DS: My Pleasure! Thanks for the Cookies!
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Check out Daniil's Videos here!
You can follow Daniil on Facebook or at his Website, here! And Yes! He Tweets... right here!
Upcoming Performances:
- Sunday, April 25th 2010 X Mariinsky International Ballet Festival Gala in St. Petersburg
Rep: Fallen Angel and Les Bourgeois (St. Petersburg) - Saturday, May 8th 2010 – Sunday, May 9th 2010 Gala in Munich, Germany
Repertoire: Les Bourgeois and Le Corsaire Pas de Deux (Munich, Germany) - Monday, May 17th 2010 ABT at the MET Opening Night Gala
Repertoire: To be announced (Metropolitan Opera, New York City, USA) - Wednesday, June 9th 2010 ABT at the MET: Premieres Repertory
Repertoire: Brahms Haydn Variations & Fancy Free (Metropolitan Opera, New York City, USA) - Thursday, June 10th 2010 ABT at the MET: All Ashton Repertory – The Dream (debut)
Repertoire: Puck in Ashton’s ‘The Dream’ (Metropolitan Opera, New York City, USA) - Friday, June 11th 2010 ABT at the MET: Premieres Repertory
Repertory: The Brahms Haydn Variations (Metropolitan Opera, New York City, USA) - Saturday, June 12th 2010 ABT at the MET: All-Ashton Repertory
The Dream (Metropolitan Opera, New York City, USA) - Saturday, June 12th 2010 ABT athe the MET: All-American Repertory
Fancy Free (Metropolitan Opera, New York City, USA) - Thursday, July 1st 2010 ABT Premieres Repertory
The Brahms Haydn Variations (Metropolitan Opera, New York City, USA) - Saturday, July 3rd 2010 ABT at the MET: All American Repetory
The Brahms Haydn Variations (Metropolitan Opera, New York City, USA) - Saturday, July 3rd 2010 All American Repertory
Fancy Free (Metropolitan Opera, New York City, USA) - Wednesday, July 28th 2010 Un Violon Sur le Sable in Royan, France
Open Air performance (Royan, France) - Friday, August 6th 2010 – Saturday, August 7th 2010 Vail International Ballet Festival in Vail, USA (Vail, Colorado, USA)
- Friday, August 20th 2010 Don Quixote with NBS in Tokyo, Japan
Partner: Reiko Koide (Toyko, Japan, U-Port Hall) - Sunday, August 22nd 2010 Don Quixote with NBS in Tokyo, Japan
Partner: Reiko Koide (Tokyo, Japan, U-Port Hall) - Saturday, August 28th 2010 – Sunday, August 29th 2010 Ballet Superstar Gala in Taipei
- Friday, September 17th 2010 – Sunday, September 19th 2010 Les Etoiles du 21ème siècle – Gala in Théâtre des Champs-Élysées Paris, France
(Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris, France) - Saturday, September 18th 2010 – Monday, September 20th 2010 Les Etoiles de 21ieme siecle
To be announced (Theatre de Champs-Eylsees, Paris, France)
Wonderful interview
ReplyDeleteThanks Misse! Glad you enjoyed. Daniil made it rather easy!
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview with Daniil - one of the best yet :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading Dave -- I just asked Daniil many of the things that I wonder about myself and well I was lucky that he was willing to humor my probing! :)
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