--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Balanchine was just able to strike the…" description: "\"Balanchine was just able to strike the balance between literal narrative and abstract dance.\" — Justin Peck" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/justin-peck-11843_abstract_balanchine-was-just-able-to-strike-the-b_1968330.jpg" --- # Balanchine was just able to strike the balance between… ![“Balanchine was just able to strike the balance between literal narrative and abstract dance.” quote by Justin Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/justin-peck-11843_abstract_balanchine-was-just-able-to-strike-the-b_1968330.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/justin-peck-11843_abstract_balanchine-was-just-able-to-strike-the-b_1968330.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/justin-peck-11843_abstract_balanchine-was-just-able-to-strike-the-b_1968330.jpg) > “Balanchine was just able to strike the balance between literal narrative and abstract dance.” [Justin Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-peck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balanchine achieved a harmony where story and pure movement coexist without one dominating the other. **In simple terms:** He balanced story and abstract dance. Key Takeaway Embrace both narrative and abstraction. Themes art dance creativity Mood inspired thoughtful Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - ballet rehearsals - creative workshops - performance critique Key Concepts choreography balance expression Questions to Reflect On - How can you blend story with pure movement? - What risks arise from focusing too much on abstraction? A Different Perspective May prioritize narrative over abstraction, limiting innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Narrative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrative/) ## Related quotes > [Movement is expressive. I've never denied that. I don't think there's such a thing as abstract dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merce-cunningham/movement-is-expressive-i-ve-never-denied-that-i-don-t-think-there-s/) [Merce Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merce-cunningham/) > [I've always felt that Balanchine is my ultimate teacher. I learn the most from observing his work and also dancing in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-peck/i-ve-always-felt-that-balanchine-is-my-ultimate-teacher-i-learn-the/) [Justin Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-peck/) > [Balanchine is the number one influence for me. His work was really musically driven. 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No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Justin Peck > [There is a clearing for new creative thought in choreography. I don't feel intimidated; there is a lot I can do that is new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-peck/there-is-a-clearing-for-new-creative-thought-in-choreography-i-don-t/) [Justin Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-peck/) > [When I put on my consumer hat, and I'm buying tickets to be entertained, I'm not interested in seeing, like, 'Don Quixote.' Unless someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-peck/when-i-put-on-my-consumer-hat-and-i-m-buying-tickets-to-be/) [Justin Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-peck/) > [There needs to be more encouragement and support for women - at an impressionable age - to explore that choreographic side of their brains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-peck/there-needs-to-be-more-encouragement-and-support-for-women-at-an/) [Justin Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-peck/) > [My movement is usually about finding the balance between artistry, athleticism, and musicality. It always originates with a classical basis and expands outwards from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-peck/my-movement-is-usually-about-finding-the-balance-between-artistry/) [Justin Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-peck/) > [When I'm in sneakers, it changes my body carriage. 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It's sort of an abstract silliness, that sometimes the joke isn't the star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/describing-comic-sensibility-is-near-impossible-it-s-sort-of-an/) [Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [The word of the Lord never comes to us as an opinion, no attempt is made to support it by argument, it comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-w-ivins/the-word-of-the-lord-never-comes-to-us-as-an-opinion-no-attempt-is/) Anthony W. Ivins > [A mobile is an abstract sculpture made chiefly out of sheet metal, steel rods, wire and wood. 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