As Unnatural As Dancing Is,

There Was A Stage When Balanchine And I Didn't Talk. I Was Trying To Develop My Classical Technique As Opposed To The Fast-track Technique That He Was Pushing. We Were Very Quiet With Each Other. But After Two Years He Saw What I Was Doing And Sent Messages Through Other People That, Yes, This Is Good.

The Nature Of My Compulsion Was Such That I Danced In My Sleep. The Entire Household Was Sometimes Awakened By Loud Thumping Sounds Coming From My Room.

You've Got To Break Through This Idea Of Being Light As A Ballerina. The Heavier You'll Feel, The Lighter You'll Look.

The First Year With Abt I Learned 13 New Roles. Most Were Lengthy Ballets, More Complicated Than I Was Used To. I Have Suffered From Tendinitis Since I Was 13, And It Flared Up Again Until The Pain Was Paralyzing. There Were Times I Prayed I'd Be Sick So I Wouldn't Have To Go On.

I Danced With Passion To Spite The Music.