78: Create. Perform. Teach. Promote. — Paul Vasterling

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Paul Vasterling — Artistic Director at</span> <a href="https://www.nashvilleballet.com/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Nashville Ballet</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">As a choreographer with a deep affinity for music, Paul has created over 40 works, ranging from classical, full-length story ballets to contemporary one-acts. Since becoming Nashville Ballet’s Artistic Director in 1998, the company has commissioned 22 original scores for brand-new ballets under Vasterling’s direction. Vasterling has also grown the Nashville Ballet from 12 to 25 professional dancers and has led the company to its Kennedy Center debut. Paul is a Fulbright Scholar and was selected as one of the Fellows in residence at The Center for Ballet and Arts at NYU in 2017.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paul fully understands the power that the arts have in shaping humanity and has dedicated his life to showcasing the arts — and particularly dance — to the masses. Additionally, as a veteran leader, Paul understand the strategic importance of keeping an organization’s mission front-and-center and moving towards that true north. On the podcast, Paul dives into both sides of the ballet, sharing his thoughts on the importance of artistic expression but also giving tips on being a successful organization and a successful dancer.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Moving Quotes:</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The mission statement of an organization is like a filter. It helps you decide what you’re doing and if you’re on the right track."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Ballet is merely a means to an end; it is not an end unto itself. We use it and try to create fine instruments with our bodies so that we can express something that is important to humanity."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Part of the process of a choreographer is doing as much work as pos