My brother was born prematurely, and at age four was having a difficult time developing motor skills. On a doctor's recommendation, my parents put him in dance class. I would throw a three-year-old fit if my brother got to do something that I didn't, so there I was next to him in dance class. My brother quit dancing a few years later, but I stayed and let dance become a very big part of my life.

 

I first came to Chicago to audition for Hubbard Street II. Although I did well in the audition, I didn't get the job. I was staying with a former teacher, who was the rehearsal director for Luna Negra Dance Theater here in Chicago, and the next day she invited me to take class with LNDT. After class, the company director taught me some sections of repertory - as it turned out, he was looking to add another male to his company. We kept in touch while I finished my contract in Houston, and he invited me to join the company. So, basically, I got a job for a company that I hadn't intended to audition for, and had the perfect reason to move to Chicago and step up my professional experience. The quality of art here is amazing, and there is a strong audience that I find rare in the United States. The dance community is developing in exciting directions, and I'm grateful to be part of that.

 

Before joining Russian Pointe, I had a rather stereotypical "day job" as a waiter, and was barely making ends meet. My second interview with Aleksandra at Russian Pointe was on my birthday, November 4, and one of my birthday wishes was to have a new job in her fabulous boutique! Around the Boutique, I'm mostly known as "the guy pointe shoe fitter," but I've also been involved in marketing, working with ballet companies and conducting fitting seminars. I love fitting and educating dancers about what they should expect, and demand, from their pointe shoes, and helping them feel stronger and more confident.

 

I discovered Russian Pointe when I saw a pair of slippers on another dancer. I was taken with their unique construction, especially the band of canvas that joins the leather sole patches [the Ribbon Arch]. Naturally, I asked the dancer where she had bought them, and that was how I found out about the Boutique. I was hooked from the first pair I tried on. I'm very tough on my shoes and had tried nearly every slipper on the market. Russian Pointes are much more durable, and I've found both Andante and Nouveau to be dependable and lasting. I'm also a fan of the pointe shoes, which I wear to strengthen my feet.

 

I trained as a classical saxophonist for seven years, studying in both high school and the music program at University of Houston. I firmly believe that dancers should train in music in addition to dance, because a solid understanding of music makes for a deeper level of artistry. My suggestion to all dancers is to go take some kind of music theory class or voice lesson or ANYTHING. It will broaden their artistic horizons.

 

If I could, I would have my iPod surgically attached. It is true what they say about music energizing and focusing your mind and body in a way that nothing else can. Before a performance I always spend time warming up with my headphones on, to get into my performance mode.