How and where did you start dancing?
I started dancing in Marina, California when I was 9. I never had a very flexible back, so after a few years of gymnastics, it was clear it wasn’t going to work out for me. My sister had already starting taking ballet classes, so I tagged along.
Why do you dance?
I dance because I love it. More particularly, I enjoy stretching the range of motion of my body and finding its limits. I appreciate how dance, when stripped of competition, celebrates the human body, humanizes the dancer, and serves as a medium of expression when words and the intellect fail.
What is the hardest part of being a dancer?
The hardest part of being a dancer is the financial and emotional instability of the occupation. Not knowing how I will support myself as a dancer hinders me from fully pursuing a career in dance, something I desperately want to do for the next few years of my life.
What is the best part of being a dancer?
The best part of being a dancer is the moment when you do more than you thought you could, and simultaneously connect with those around you in at a deep level that words cannot express.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to cook, hike, speak and learn foreign languages, catch up with friends in the USA, France, and Chile, as well as watch the occasional episode of TV or movie.
What is something interesting about you that no one knows?
Something that no one knows about me is that my favorite senator is Senator Byrd. His college scholarhip application was the easiest to fill out and gave me a lot of money.
What is your favorite indulgence?
procrastinating
When did you dance your first Nutcracker?
I danced in my first Nutcracker in 1998.
What does "The Nutcracker" mean to you?
Nutcracker is the magic that gets me into the Christmas season. I feel like Christmas sneaks up on me when I’m not in a Nutcracker.
What advice do you have for children watching or dancing in "The Nutcracker"
I would tell kids to enjoy the moment and find the magic of Nutcracker.
What is your favorite part of the Nutcracker?
My favorite part of the Nutcracker has always been Arabian and the Grand Pas.
Grab a cup and learn more about:
Adrienne Cousineau
Dancer
