Robert Abrams: How and why did you start dancing?

Kirsten Heinrich: I started a long time ago. My parents took me to a studio.

RA: What styles of dance do you do?

KH: Basically now I focus on Modern, and more so on Classical Ballet the past couple of years.

RA: Where have you studied dance?

KH: I have been performing professionally for the past 7 years. A lot of my training came from working with individual teachers. I didn't go to one particular school. Some of the companies that I have worked with include: Tennessee Dance Theatre, Philadanco II, and the San Diego Ballet.

RA: When did you participate in the San Diego Ballet summer study program?

KH: Summer of 2005.

RA: How old were you when you participated in the San Diego Ballet summer study program?

KH: I was 25 years old then.

RA: What did you like about the San Diego Ballet summer study program?

KH: I did things in the reverse. I started as a professional modern dancer. Then I decided to work on classical ballet. They gave me an opportunity to participate in the summer program, and then I apprenticed with their company. They gave me the freedom and the opportunity as a modern dancer to work on ballet in a professional venue.

RA: How could the San Diego Ballet summer study program be improved?

KH: I don't think that it could be. It was a professional intensive. They ran it like a company day: class in the morning, then work on variation and/or rehearsal. It was two weeks. I can't find any fault in that.

RA: How does the San Diego Ballet summer study program compare to other dance classes you have taken?

KH: The ballet mistress from San Diego Ballet is from Paris Opera and she taught quite a few of the classes then and the company classes now. When you are dealing with someone on that level, she is a good teacher. I have been fortunate in my journey in the dance world to have a lot of good teachers come across my path. San Diego Ballet teachers are on par.

RA: What advice would you give to other students thinking about taking a summer study program in dance?

KH: I do teach too. Usually what I would advise is that if they are looking in the ballet realm, or even modern, go to a summer program where you can be looked at for a company position. That's what it is all about, even if they are not ready for a company right now. It helps for the future.

RA: Who in the dance world inspires you and why?

KH: I guess who inspires me right now would be a couple of my teachers, but on a grand scale, Helgi Tomasson from San Francisco Ballet: I am intrigued by what he has to say and what people are saying about him. As a director, I think he is looking for dancers who have something to offer, looking from the inside out. I don't have direct experience with him, but that is what I have heard. In this day and age, there are a lot of great technicians, but I think it is really important to look at the artistry.

RA: What dance projects, shows or studies are you working on now?

KH: One is with a touring company. I perform on stilts. The Living Garden. I am doing shows in Las Vegas next week for them. The company director hired ballet dancers.

I am in transition. I am working with a Russian family. I am freelancing. I have done a lot of choreography. I won a competition and got to perform at the Kodak Theatre. I have entered a lot of choreography competitions. I am putting a lot of pokers in the fire to get my choreography and dancing out there.

RA: What do you hope to accomplish in dance in the future? What would be your dream project?

KH: I would either like to work in Europe, or the US, with a contemporary ballet company of a certain stature, and/or work for Cirque du Soleil.

RA: Is there anything else you would like to add?

KH: One thing that is unique and special about San Diego Ballet: they give people opportunities that people wouldn't necessarily otherwise have. I don't know if I would be where I am today if they hadn't given me this opportunity. It was important for me, because I needed to do some exploration. It is a rare and special place that will allow you to do that, to move from Modern to Ballet.

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Kirsten Heinrich can be contacted at heinrich32@hotmail.com .

Kirsten Heinrich Photo © & courtesy of Josue Pena

Kirsten Heinrich performs as a guest artist in The Nutcracker for Encinitas Ballet Academy Photo © & courtesy of Micaela Malmi

Kirsten Heinrich performs as a guest artist in The Nutcracker for Encinitas Ballet Academy Photo © & courtesy of Micaela Malmi

Kirsten Heinrich lifted by her partner, Raymon Ashley, as guest artists in The Nutcracker for Black Mountain Dance Centre. Photo © & courtesy of Mr. Hilleary

Kirsten Heinrich Photo © & courtesy of James Grant Caradine