What were you like as a young girl?
I was always playing dress up and making up plays with my friends, than as I got older I was kind of a tomboy.
What was your home life like? Any brothers or sisters and do any of them dance?
I'm an only child but I have a lot of cousins. None of them dance.
What was school like for you? What was your favorite subject in class? What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you collect anything special? What made you decide to start taking dance classes? Have you always wanted to be a dancer? What is a typical day like for you? On any given day what can we typically find in your dance bag? What do you like most about dancing? What do you think is unique about you and or your dancing? Throughout your dance career, what has been your favorite dance moment? What challenges do you face as a dancer? What are you most proud of about yourself as a dancer? What highlights of your dance life touched you most? What do you think the most important thing is for you as a professional dancer? Who has most influenced you in your career? Who has had the greatest impact on you? Who helped you be where you are today and who would you thank? If you could choose one dancer to perform with, whom would it be, and what production would it be? A lot has been written about the sacrifice, the pain of the ballet world, of what it takes to be a dancer. How do you feel about this? What are some of the hardships you've had to endure along the way, some of the obstacles you've had to overcome? If you could change one thing in the dance world what would it be? Something else a performer has to endure is criticism, either from your peers in your company, or from reviewers. How do you deal with that? Did you ever have any fears or doubts about one, your choice of career, or two, your ability? How did you overcome it? How do you stay in shape during the off-season? Before a performance, how do you prepare yourself to get into character? Do you have any pre-performance rituals? How does the audience affect you? What do you want the audience to get from your performance? Can you describe the feeling you have when you are in the wings, waiting for your cue, and you hear the music and you enter the stage? What thoughts occur to you while you are dancing? What was your favorite role thus far in your career? If you were to give one piece of advice to aspiring dancers, what would that be? What do you plan to do after your career in dance? Melody's Favorites
How has being a featured on the cover made a difference in your life? What were you like as a young boy? What was your home life like? Any brothers or sisters and do any of them dance? What was school like for you? Were there any books, or teachers, that influenced you, or that were memorable for you? What was your favorite subject in class? What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you collect anything special? What made you decide to start taking dance classes? Have you always wanted to be a dancer? What is a typical day like for you? On any given day what can we typically find in your dance bag? What do you like most about dancing? Throughout your dance career, what has been your favorite dance moment? What challenges do you face as a dancer? What are you most proud of about yourself as a dancer? What highlights of your dance life touched you most? What do you think the most important thing is for you as a professional dancer? Who has most influenced you in your career? Who has had the greatest impact on you? Who helped you be where you are today and who would you thank? If you could choose one dancer to perform with, whom would it be? A lot has been written about the sacrifice, the pain of the ballet world, of what it takes to be a dancer. How do you feel about this? What are some of the hardships you've had to endure along the way, some of the obstacles you've had to overcome? If you could change one thing in the dance world what would it be? Something else a performer has to endure is criticism, either from your peers in your company, or from reviewers. How do you deal with that? Did you ever have any fears or doubts about one, your choice of career, or two, your ability? How do you stay in shape during the off-season? Do you have any pre-performance rituals? How does the audience affect you? What do you want the audience to get from your performance? Can you describe the feeling you have when you are in the wings, waiting for your cue, and you hear the music and you enter the stage? What was your favorite role thus far in your career? If you were to give one piece of advice to aspiring dancers, what would that be? Randy's Favorites
I was always good at math and science. I started independent studies after going to school for a few years, which ended up being perfect with my ballet schedule later on.
Math and science.
Play with my son, Isaac.
I used to collect coins (old coins). I once had a penny worth about $300. I also collected Breyer horses.
I thought tap dancing was really cool. We did some ballet in the combo classes and I loved it.
I've always wanted to dance but I didn't always know I'd do it for a living.
Get up, give Isaac breakfast, put on 'Shrek' or 'Incredibles' or something like that, and go to work.. Class it as 10:00AM and we work until 6:45PM. When we get home, we run around the house chasing our son and laughing for a couple of hours until bedtime.
Band-aids, warmers, pointe and flat shoes, scissors, sewing supplies, hair stuff, and socks.
Performing on stage and developing a character.
My approach and style is very eclectic. Mainly because I feel you can and should take your cues from many different sources, anything you can get your hands on.
Performing Olga in John Cranko's "Onegin".
Trying to consistent but not boring.
I've learned how to take risks in situations where that's hard to do and I don't easily give up.
Dancing Don Quixote and Of Blessed Memory with my husband in Jackson.
To start every new day fresh.
I love watching videos of Natalia Makarova and Margot Fonteyn because they were artists above all. But I really think you can learn things from every dancer.
My parents have always been 100% supportive and ultimately let go to let me pursue my career intensely.
Carlos Acosta in Giselle.
It's a difficult career path and those things are out there. But it is a passion so people keep doing it for love and commitment and investment.
Physically dancing is hard on your body, although I haven't had any serious injuries.
The increasing emphasis on "tricks" can turn it into some sort of acrobatic sport and ballet is deeper than that.
I find it welcoming. Sometimes it hurts but everytime you receive criticism (good or bad) it's an opportunity to grow.
I think every dancer has days when they doubt their abilities; we're not robots. But, I'm thankful that I get to do this everyday for a career.
My love for dancing helped me to overcome it..
We don't have much of an "off-season" so we try to rest a lot.
I just think about what I'm about to do and getting into costume and makeup help with getting into character.
I like to "feel" the stage before a performance starts.
It energizes me to have an audience watching.
I want them to feel whatever I'm feeling.
I feel like I'm waiting at the starting line and once I get on stage I feel free.
I try not to "think" on stage because your muscle memory knows the steps by then. Sometimes you have to think of spacing and anticipate lighting changes.
I love dancing full-length classicals, all of them. One contemporary ballet I loved was "Forgotten Land" by Giri Kylian. I did the white pas de deux.
Don't sell yourself short. You're capable of more than you think. Something my husband, Randy, often tells me.
There's too much to choose from, but hopefully something that helps people.
Randy Merrera
1st Soloist, Houston Ballet
It has given me more exposure as a dancer.
I was very active, always trying to keep busy.
I spent a lot of time with my parents and I have a sister who also dances.
School was fun, but not really for me. You can always go back.
All of my teachers had something to offer.
Humanities
Spend time with my family and play with my Play Station Pocket (PSP).
Watches
My sister inspired me and the athleticism.
No. I was mostly interested in sports.
Work, play.
Shirts, cologne, cell phone, PSP, and legwarmers.
The freedom that you have.
Performing at the Bolshoi Theatre.
To be consistent and to grow as an artist.
I don't stop until I fix a problem.
Performing
To never stop growing.
Rudolf Nureyev and Carlos Acosta.
My family and friends who have always supported me.
Mikhail Baryshnikov
It is definitely a struggle, but there is nothing more rewarding than the audience clapping after a performance.
Injuries
I would make dance environments more family-friendly.
I try and take everything in a positive way.
I always had doubts about my career; there is so much competition out there that it can scare you away from ballet, but you can't let yourself get discouraged.
Swimming and chasing around my son.
No
It pushes me to dance better and gives me more energy.
To understand what I am dancing.
It's the highest form of exhilaration for me.
I like all story ballet leading roles. But most recently, I enjoyed being the Rooster in Christopher Bruce's "Rooster".
Never give up, keep pushing yourself and don't get discouraged.