Read some of these beautiful, funny, and honest quotes I’ve noted over the past few years through my many spontaneous arts travels, classes, and encounters with art in NYC and around the world:

 

“Art creates a level of discomfort and challenges us to think about what we are feeling and what we can do.”

-Arts administrator, a social justice arts convening in NYC

 

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

-Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a studio in Harlem

 

“When you fully let go and allow yourself to flow freely, you discover so much about yourself.”

-Various teaching artists, NYC

 

“Art can make us uneasy and challenges society to reflect.”

-Arts administrator, a social justice arts convening in NYC

 

“It is important to find yourself in the work that you do, and acknowledge different entry points.”

-Artist, a social justice arts convening in NYC

 

“Just flow.”

-Various teaching artists, NYC

 

“Heep (hip) down!”

-Ballet teacher, a Paris studio

 

“It needs more!”

-Dance photographer, a Brooklyn studio

 

“Stay on your line.”

-Dancer, a Manhattan studio

 

“It’s on another level.”

-Dancer friend, discussion about Batsheva Dance Company

 

“It would make more sense if you understood the process.”

-Arts administrator, dance company performance debrief

 

“People just don’t understand it so they don’t value it.”

-Arts administrator, dance company performance debrief

 

“We can always use just one more day…to choreograph, to rehearse, to restage, but at some point you have to perform.”

-Dance company artistic director, a studio in Brooklyn

 

“Always better to screw up at the dress [rehearsal] than the show. You’ll be okay.”

-Dancer friend, Lincoln Center

 

“Allow yourself to be free.”

-Various teaching artists, NYC

 

“I can do the steps better than you guys and I’m nearly 70 years old!”

-Dance company artistic director, an audition in Manhattan

 

“Be confident.”

-Dance company artistic director, an audition in Manhattan

 

“That is what you say about ‘those people’, but is that what ‘those people’ would say about themselves?”

-Arts administrator, café in Brooklyn

 

“Does anyone have baby powder for this floor? My shoes are sticking to the floor!”

-Ballet teacher, a Manhattan studio

 

“Does anyone have water for the floor? My shoes are sliding off the floor!”

-Ballet student, a Manhattan studio

 

“When you focus, you are a completely different dancer.”

-Dance instructor, a Manhattan studio

 

“I have no idea what the piece was about. I’m lost.”

-Audience member, a performance in Queens

 

“Just feel the music!”

-dance instructor, a studio in Manhattan

 

“See the music, hear the dance.”

-George Balanchine, a t-shirt at a dancewear store in Long Island