Evelyn Cisneros-Legate: A Life in Dance
My life is a ballet, a symphony of movements, a journey through grace and strength. From the moment I took my first steps, it felt like I was born to dance. I was only four when my mother, a seamstress with a passion for the arts, enrolled me in ballet classes in our tiny apartment in San Francisco. I remember the studio – a dusty room above a bakery, with peeling wallpaper and a chipped mirror – but it held the magic of the world. The floorboards creaked, and the scent of flour mingled with the perfume of my classmates' mothers, as we all moved, together, under the watchful eye of Madame Odette, a petite, formidable woman with the piercing gaze of a hawk. Her voice was stern, yet her eyes, even as they commanded us to plie and arabesque, seemed to hold the promise of something extraordinary.
I wasn't a natural. At least, not in the way the other girls were. I was shy, bookish, more comfortable with my nose buried in a book than my toes pointed high in the air. Yet, Madame Odette saw something in me, a spark that she refused to let die. She drilled me, pushed me, challenged me, until that hesitant, tentative little girl blossomed into a swan. Each movement became an expression, each turn a story told. Dance wasn't just a skill, it was a language, a language I began to speak with increasing eloquence.
I quickly progressed through the ranks of the San Francisco Ballet School. My passion for ballet was infectious; my love for the art burned brightly, fueled by my grandmother, who would often come to the studio to watch my classes, beaming at my every success, even at my every mistake. She knew I wasn’t meant for a life of silence, a life confined by societal expectations. My dance, she told me, was my voice, my way to make a difference in a world that so often seemed too big for me. My grandma became my biggest cheerleader, her whispered encouragement propelling me towards dreams that seemed bigger than the San Francisco skyline itself.
By the time I was thirteen, my family moved to Los Angeles. The sun blazed hot in this new city, and I felt an even stronger fire ignite within me, the flames fanned by the energy of this vibrant, hopeful place. Here, at the prestigious School of American Ballet, I encountered a world of intense competition. My talent, nurtured and polished, shone brighter than ever, yet I never felt complacent, the thrill of the challenge driving me ever forward. Each class was a struggle, each pirouette a conquest, but the joy of mastery, of surpassing my own limitations, became the driving force of my life.
At sixteen, I joined the New York City Ballet. The City of Lights, the grand Metropolitan Opera House, and the opportunity to dance alongside some of the world’s greatest artists. It was a dream realised, yet just the first step in my dance journey.
My years with the New York City Ballet were some of the most rewarding of my life. Under the watchful eye of George Balanchine, I flourished, learning his signature style of precision, athleticism and emotion. He was a demanding master, a perfectionist, but he also pushed me to explore the full potential of my artistic spirit. Dancing alongside such exceptional dancers as Suzanne Farrell and Maria Tallchief pushed me beyond my comfort zone, forging an indomitable spirit. But while I learned from these giants, it was the shared joy, the unspoken communication through dance, the sense of belonging, that made me truly appreciate what it meant to be part of an ensemble.
With each performance, each rehearsal, each step, I pushed myself further, mastering roles ranging from the innocent, delicate Giselle to the fiery, passionate Carmen, exploring the full spectrum of emotions that dance allowed me to express. As a dancer, my soul resonated with the intricate storytelling of ballet, each movement speaking volumes. I became known for my strength, my dramatic expressiveness, and my ability to move with effortless grace, an invisible ballerina poised for flight. It was through dance that I could explore the world, live multiple lives on stage, each one a reflection of the intricate web of emotions we all carry within.
Beyond the demanding routines and constant practice, life as a professional dancer wasn't always easy. The injuries, the relentless competition, the scrutiny of the critics, all took their toll. Yet, it was all worth it for the sheer exhilaration of stepping onto that stage, the silence before the first note, and then the magic of moving to the music, sharing a story with the audience, feeling their connection. It was then I truly felt alive.
In 1978, I had to retire from professional dancing due to an injury. The world was silent, a sudden emptiness. It felt as though my purpose was gone, as if I was no longer breathing. The graceful ballerina I once was was now limited, my body no longer able to fly. But ballet had shaped me; it was ingrained in my DNA. To truly let go felt impossible.
I needed a new path, one where my knowledge and love for dance could find its place. In the fall of 1978, I found myself at the barre, this time as an instructor at the School of American Ballet. The students were new faces, eager to learn, mirroring my youthful passion. I channeled my energy and frustration into their growth. It felt right, it felt whole. It allowed me to be on stage, guiding and encouraging these young minds, offering them the gift that once brought me so much joy.
As I nurtured future generations of dancers, my love for the art form expanded. The next step in my journey took me to the world of choreography. In 1981, I created my first ballet, "The Whispers of the Wind," which premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The creation process, the weaving of movement, emotion, and music, felt almost instinctive, a new form of artistic expression that captured the depth of my experiences. The stage was a canvas for me, my story was being told in a new language. I could teach, create, and be an artist all at once, continuing my dance narrative.
With each new work, my artistry matured, and my choreography began to develop its own distinctive signature. I strived for movement that transcended the confines of tradition, capturing the dynamism of the 20th century with a touch of the classics. I wanted to tell stories, not just for the dancers, but for the audience, making them feel, understand, and share in the intricate beauty of movement. My ballets often delved into themes of humanity, love, loss, and the search for identity, weaving those universal experiences into the graceful, powerful language of dance.
For over two decades, I honed my skills as a choreographer, collaborating with some of the best musicians and artists, bringing to life ballets such as "Nocturne", "The Garden of Lost Dreams", and "The Legacy", each one a testament to my journey as a dancer and a storyteller.
But my work extended far beyond the stage. In 2002, I became the Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada. It was a challenging, rewarding experience. Leading a company of exceptional talent, nurturing creativity, ensuring artistic excellence, while navigating the complex world of professional dance was demanding but deeply fulfilling. The journey was as intricate as the most complex ballet piece. There were battles fought, triumphs shared, tears shed, and dreams achieved. I learned how to inspire, motivate, and lead through the lens of creativity and passion.
In 2010, I stepped down as Artistic Director, taking a new path: authoring a memoir, “A Life in Dance.” In it, I delved deeper than I had ever imagined. It became my opportunity to capture the essence of my life’s journey, the sacrifices, the joys, the tribulations, and the love for my art. I found my voice once again, using words, not movement, to communicate the emotions that danced within me. I shared my story, not as a tribute to myself, but as an inspiration for others to find their own path, to embrace their passions, and to never, ever give up on their dreams.
Through it all, dance has been the unwavering thread in my life’s tapestry, the unifying element that connects my experiences. Each step, each turn, each arabesque was not just movement but a testament to the strength, perseverance, and joy that dance brings to life. It is my legacy, the gift that I continue to give, not only to myself, but to every soul who has touched my life. In a world that constantly seeks to define us by our limitations, it is in dance where I discovered freedom, an uninhibited expression of who I truly am.
The next chapter, of course, is still being written. While my physical prowess has slowed down, my passion for the art of dance burns brighter than ever. I continue to inspire future generations, sharing my love, my knowledge, my struggles, and my triumphs, because the story of dance is not simply about steps and routines, but about the human heart, the journey, the search for beauty and meaning, a lifelong pursuit that echoes through time.