40: Performing for an Audience of One — Jonathan Dole

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Jonathan Dole, a dance prodigy, YAGP champion, and current member of</span> <a href= "http://joffrey.org/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Joffrey Ballet</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">’s main company.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Growing up on the western coast of the United States, Jonathan was introduced to ballet at age 15 and immediately discovered a love for the art. Jonathan moved quickly through some of the nation’s top dance schools before joining the Joffrey Academy and, ultimately, The Joffrey Ballet. During his time with the Joffrey, Jonathan has danced in various performances, including this year’s season-opening production of</span> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Jane Eyre</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the podcast, Jonathan speaks to a wide array of topics, including how his love of dance began, where he finds inspiration, and what it feels like being a professional dancer after chasing the dream for so long. Jonathan also discusses how, early in his run as a professional, his fears nearly got the best of him. Yet, in the fear, Jonathan found a way to remember that his art is his own masterpiece, and he calmed his nerves once he realized that the only member of the audience that mattered was himself.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Moving Quotes:</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> “I perform for myself, not for other people. And that has changed my perspective on performance."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The audience is incredible, and I can feed off of that energy. But you’re dancing for you. It’s your art form."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Ballet has taught me so many life skills. So many incredible things. Without ballet, I don’t think I’d be the person I am today. And even if you don’t do it professionally, it teaches you so much."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weigh