Gabe Stone Shayer, a 20 year-old corps de ballet dancer at American Ballet Theatre, is a swiftly rising star you're happy to cheer for. He joined the ABT studio company in 2011, just after graduating from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow (one of the first Americans to graduate from the elite Russian school.) In barely more than a year, he was invited to join the main company as an apprentice and was subsequently promoted to full company member. Since then, he's performed soloist roles, including the Chinese and Russian dances in Alexei Ratmansky's The Nutcracker, Ariel in The Tempest, and roles in Bach Partita and Piano Concerto #1.
"I almost can't believe how abruptly it's all happened," says Shayer. "I don't want to slow down, but sometimes I need to take a second to appreciate what I've accomplished -- to take a breath and look at my life and tell myself I'm doing well, to be patient, and keep working hard."
I recently spoke with the standout up-and-comer (in the midst of a heavy rehearsal schedule in preparation for ABT's tour to Japan, where Shayer was called a "revelation" in reviews) about his training in Russia, transition into professional ballet, and his aspirations for the future.
What was it like training at the Bolshoi?
I started off splitting my time between Moscow and the Rock School in Pennsylvania when I was 14, went to the Bolshoi for the full year in 2011, and graduated from the Bolshoi Academy when I was 17. I had been trained in the Russian technique since I started ballet, so it wasn't that much of a change, stylistically. When I got there, though, my teacher said he had to take me back to stage one and redo my training. That was difficult, of course, but being a dancer you know whatever your teacher is saying is to help you no matter how hard or painful it is. It meant practically relearning ballet. We had to redo my muscularity, how I worked in class, how I used my body for articulations. My placement at the barre was completely wrong. I was turning out from the bottom of my legs too much as opposed to from my hips. My arm coordination was off. We spent hours before, during, and after classes going over port de bras.
Is it typical to get so much individual attention at the Bolshoi Academy?
The classes there are very small. We had one of the biggest classes and we had eight guys. Most of the classes are six to eight people, at the most. Technique classes are two and a half hours, so the teachers have time to spend with all of us. Additionally, though, I did get a lot of individual attention before and after class.
What's it been like to transition so quickly from a training environment with so much one-on-one time with teachers to a large company?
The funny thing is that for me it's not that different from the last year of schooling at the Bolshoi. I don't get as much attention, but I actually do still get plenty of attention and corrections. I seek it out deliberately, which I think you have to take responsibility for doing for yourself. I make a point to be seen and judged because that's what I need to get better. I try to stand in front in company class and always show the teachers that I'm taking their direction and everything they say seriously. They know I'm not just there to warm up my body before rehearsals. I'm there to learn and move forward.
To read more about Gabe's rapid rise, his tour with the Rebecca Davis Dance Company in Africa, his future goals and more click here!
