By Zina Bethune


In a world where instant fame through competitive reality shows and gymnastic competitions catapult people into the limelight, it has become increasingly difficult and challenging for young dancers to remember why they began a life in dance. You dance because you must – you can’t not dance! To dance is to live a passion whose dynamic is unmatched.

Most of us started dancing almost before we could walk – an internal musical conductor drove our every move. Dance is the conduit through which our soul speaks and is the meter of your choices.

I hear so many young dancers who feel their lives as dancers will be over by their mid twenties. In America we do have a “youth culture” focus and so much emphasis is placed on age. Historically all the great dancers hit their artistic and professional peak well into their 30s and 40s and in later years these artists’ input and knowledge has been a valuable asset to the profession. Their gifts to the world of dance create the backbone and stability for future generations and are the foundation on which new and innovative works and techniques are created.

We are all connected through time by our shared art. Artists are born with their passion to create. That doesn’t disappear just because ones body changes or styles alter. Art transcends the vicissitudes of time and change and so indeed does each artist.

As an artist who has faced the many challenges of injury, disability, aging and the frustrations and disappointments inherent in an artist’s life, what remains strong and ever evolving is that passion to move the air with your heart, body and soul.

There is a wonderful scene from an old “icon” dance film, “The Red Shoes.” Victoria Page, a young beautiful dancer anxious to join the best ballet company in Europe is asked by the quintessential artistic director, Boris Lermontov, “Why do you want to dance?”
Victoria pauses for an instant as she knows Lermontov thinks she’s only in it for the misconception of glamour. She responds with, “Why do you want to live?” Lermontov is surprised by her question but gives it his own moment of thought. “I don’t know, but I must!”  Victoria smiles and says, “That’s my answer too!” And for the first time the two connect in their shared love of the dance and its life force.

In our competitive environment we are so often caught up into that whirlwind which is so counterproductive to creativity and long range thinking.

So please don’t lose sight of the reasons why you dance…the individual spirit behind every Jete, the soul in the fabric of every spinning, whirling series of Pirouettes and the exhilaration of movement that celebrates your individual expression. Live Your Passion!

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Zina Bethune, former N.Y. prima ballerina and actress is the founder/artistic director of principle company Bethune Theatredanse and arts/education dance outreach Infinite Dreams for disabled children and youth; www.bethunetheatredanse.org