Infinite Steps: Thirty-three Dancers and Their Lives in Ballet

Portraits of dancers rendered through reflectivestorytelling and exquisite photography, illustrating the varieties ofindividual paths within the world of ballet

Infinite Steps invites readers into the deeply personal journeys of thirty-three balletdancers from around the world, tracing their paths from first pliés to finalbows and beyond. Through intimate profiles by writer and dancer Gavin Larsenand stunning photographs by Gene Schiavone, this book reveals the physicaldemands and quiet triumphs that define a life in ballet. Each chapter offers aglimpse into a dancer’s inner world, illuminating the realities behind themoments portrayed by the images.

The dancers featured in this book spangenerations, career stages, and perspectives. Some, such as Misty Copeland, areinternationally celebrated stars, while others are just beginning theirjourneys, and still others have transitioned into new lives beyond the stage.Alina Cojocaru began dancing in Kyiv at 9 years old before becoming a principal dancer with The Royal Ballet and English National Ballet. Paloma Herrera became one of theyoungest principal dancers in the history of American Ballet Theatre, andMarja’ Quaqua received Copeland’s prestigious Ballet in the City Scholarshipfor emerging Black dancers. Kylie Edwards performed with the City Ballet of SanDiego and transitioned to an acting career, while Vjola Hajati found a secondhome performing cabaret at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

From the discipline of training to thevulnerability of retirement, these stories reflect the full spectrum of what itmeans to be a dancer, resonating with Schiavone’s images of the artists at workand rest. Infinite Steps is a tribute to the resilience, craft, and humanity of dancers. For lifelongballet lovers, students dreaming of the stage, or anyone interested in learningabout the people behind incredible art, this book offers a rare and heartfeltlook at the many ways a life in dance can unfold.