--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I actually quit ballet when I was offered…" description: "\"I actually quit ballet when I was offered a job, an apprenticeship at North Carolina Dance Theater Company, run by John Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia M..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cd/margaret-qualley-16909_ballet_i-actually-quit-ballet-when-i-was-offere_369885.jpg" --- # I actually quit ballet when I was offered a job, an… ![“I actually quit ballet when I was offered a job, an apprenticeship at North Carolina Dance Theater Company, run by John Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride, who are my idols. Everything sort of went perfectly. I was 16, and I was about to drop out of high school and become a professional ballet…” quote by Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cd/margaret-qualley-16909_ballet_i-actually-quit-ballet-when-i-was-offere_369885.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cd/margaret-qualley-16909_ballet_i-actually-quit-ballet-when-i-was-offere_369885.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cd/margaret-qualley-16909_ballet_i-actually-quit-ballet-when-i-was-offere_369885.jpg) > “I actually quit ballet when I was offered a job, an apprenticeship at North Carolina Dance Theater Company, run by John Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride, who are my idols. Everything sort of went perfectly. I was 16, and I was about to drop out of high school and become a professional ballet dancer.” [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She left ballet for a dance apprenticeship, choosing a professional path over school, driven by admiration for her idols. **In simple terms:** Follow passion over conventional routes. Key Takeaway Pursue opportunities that align with role. Themes career choice risk role models Mood reflective inspirational Type personal career When to use this quote - career change - artistic training - life decisions Key Concepts dance career transitions personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What risks did you consider before quitting school? - How did your idols influence your decision? A Different Perspective Leaving school can limit formal education options. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ballet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet/) [Ballet dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet-dance/) [Ballet dancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet-dancer/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) ## Related quotes > [The discipline that ballet requires is obsessive. And only the ones who dedicate their whole lives are able to make it. Your toenails fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-cruz/the-discipline-that-ballet-requires-is-obsessive-and-only-the-ones/) [Penelope Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-cruz/) > [As a professional ballet dancer, I have to accept that weekends are about work. The notion of a leisurely break with all the buzz…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/as-a-professional-ballet-dancer-i-have-to-accept-that-weekends-are/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) > [I just realized I wanted to do more than ballet. I was offered an apprenticeship, so I was about to join a company and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-just-realized-i-wanted-to-do-more-than-ballet-i-was-offered-an/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I had to quit ballet because it felt like a part of me was dying inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-saldana/i-had-to-quit-ballet-because-it-felt-like-a-part-of-me-was-dying/) [Zoe Saldana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-saldana/) > [I'd quit ballet school, which I thought was going to be my path, but my gut instinct told me to do something different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-vikander/i-d-quit-ballet-school-which-i-thought-was-going-to-be-my-path-but-my/) [Alicia Vikander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alicia-vikander/) > [Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character - the perseverance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/once-you-become-a-professional-to-get-through-a-ballet-like-swan-lake/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [In order to dance professionally, you have to start at a young age. No matter what, your muscle structure and your bones have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-chen/in-order-to-dance-professionally-you-have-to-start-at-a-young-age-no/) [Joan Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-chen/) > [Dance till the stars come down from the rafters Dance, Dance, Dance 'till you drop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/dance-till-the-stars-come-down-from-the-rafters-dance-dance-dance/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [I went to 'The Nutcracker' every year with my grandma and aunt. Then, in my early teen years, I thought I wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jinkx-monsoon/i-went-to-the-nutcracker-every-year-with-my-grandma-and-aunt-then-in/) [Jinkx Monsoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jinkx-monsoon/) > [No matter what people tell you, you should focus on your goals and you should do what you want to do, especially if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michaela-deprince/no-matter-what-people-tell-you-you-should-focus-on-your-goals-and-you/) [Michaela DePrince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michaela-deprince/) > [I always wanted to be an actor. I was one of those lucky kids - or cursed kids - who always knew what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/i-always-wanted-to-be-an-actor-i-was-one-of-those-lucky-kids-or/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [How can you live the high life if you do not wear high heels? I don't understand why women wear these ballet pumps. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-rykiel/how-can-you-live-the-high-life-if-you-do-not-wear-high-heels-i-don-t/) [Sonia Rykiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-rykiel/) > [For ballet dancers, style is about melding personal expression with physical form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-helen-bowers/for-ballet-dancers-style-is-about-melding-personal-expression-with/) [Mary Helen Bowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-helen-bowers/) > [I'd rather be a guy that can build a house or fix a car than be able to walk like a ballet dancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/i-d-rather-be-a-guy-that-can-build-a-house-or-fix-a-car-than-be-able/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [So I'm studying ballet every day and really training so people will see me as a ballet dancer, which no one's seen before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sutton-foster/so-i-m-studying-ballet-every-day-and-really-training-so-people-will/) [Sutton Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sutton-foster/) ## More by Margaret Qualley > [I went to the Professional Children's School in New York, and I started modeling because I could do that until I actually figured out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-went-to-the-professional-children-s-school-in-new-york-and-i/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I was a dancer, growing up, and I definitely thought that was going to be my profession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-was-a-dancer-growing-up-and-i-definitely-thought-that-was-going-to/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I don't really know what I'm doing, to be honest. I come up with things, and maybe it works, and maybe it doesn't, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-don-t-really-know-what-i-m-doing-to-be-honest-i-come-up-with-things/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I think gender parity is a crucial part of any healthy society. It's applicable to the entire world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-think-gender-parity-is-a-crucial-part-of-any-healthy-society-it-s/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [Ballet, there's a right way to do things, and it's black and white, and it's all striving for perfection. Acting is not that way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/ballet-there-s-a-right-way-to-do-things-and-it-s-black-and-white-and/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I was one of those dancers who they say wants to feel the floor through their pointe shoes. I would end up not wearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-was-one-of-those-dancers-who-they-say-wants-to-feel-the-floor/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [It's a normal part of the culture of ballet to go to a nutritionist in your first few weeks. They write down everything you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/it-s-a-normal-part-of-the-culture-of-ballet-to-go-to-a-nutritionist/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I think being in the city is the perfect way to figure out what I want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-think-being-in-the-city-is-the-perfect-way-to-figure-out-what-i/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I left home at 15 to go to the North Carolina School of the Arts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-left-home-at-15-to-go-to-the-north-carolina-school-of-the-arts/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I think I would find being in Hollywood intense if I had more of a social life, but all I do is stay indoors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-think-i-would-find-being-in-hollywood-intense-if-i-had-more-of-a/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I lived alone, I didn't know anybody in New York, and I was definitely a recluse. It had been, like, two weeks, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-lived-alone-i-didn-t-know-anybody-in-new-york-and-i-was-definitely/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I like a bohemian floral dress, but then I'll throw on a leather jacket or a pair of lace-up boots to give it an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-like-a-bohemian-floral-dress-but-then-i-ll-throw-on-a-leather/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I just realized I wanted to do more than ballet. I was offered an apprenticeship, so I was about to join a company and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-just-realized-i-wanted-to-do-more-than-ballet-i-was-offered-an/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > [I explored the arts in general; I took painting classes and sketching classes and acting classes and all sorts of different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/i-explored-the-arts-in-general-i-took-painting-classes-and-sketching/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) > ['The Leftovers' takes place three years after 2% of the population has gone missing. And it's about how that changes society. Cults form as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-qualley/the-leftovers-takes-place-three-years-after-2-of-the-population-has/) [Margaret Qualley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) [Explore all 38 Margaret Qualley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-qualley/) ## More Ballet quotes > [“Afterwards Isabelle often wondered if the moments themselves were greater or the memory of them. At least the memory did not pass, while the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-bentley/afterwards-isabelle-often-wondered-if-the-moments-themselves-were/) [Toni Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-bentley/) > [One can be a great artist without being a great technician. There have been many famous ballet stars who did not have the ideal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-bujones/one-can-be-a-great-artist-without-being-a-great-technician-there-have/) Fernando Bujones > [So I'm studying ballet every day and really training so people will see me as a ballet dancer, which no one's seen before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sutton-foster/so-i-m-studying-ballet-every-day-and-really-training-so-people-will/) [Sutton Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sutton-foster/) > [No matter the style, the farther one goes the more obstacles increase, and the more distant appears the object it is desired to attain.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-georges-noverre/no-matter-the-style-the-farther-one-goes-the-more-obstacles-increase/) [Jean-Georges Noverre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-georges-noverre/) > [What I love most about ballet is being able to express my emotions through dance, and to be able to bring others joy through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michaela-deprince/what-i-love-most-about-ballet-is-being-able-to-express-my-emotions/) [Michaela DePrince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michaela-deprince/) > [It is not a question of who dances but of who or what does not dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-st-denis/it-is-not-a-question-of-who-dances-but-of-who-or-what-does-not-dance/) [Ruth St. Denis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-st-denis/) > [Ballet is pure and demands that you serve something larger than yourself, whether it be beauty or art, or a combination of both. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-martins/ballet-is-pure-and-demands-that-you-serve-something-larger-than/) Peter Martins > [Even though I am a professional, and I know what the steps are, I don't quite know how I'm going to do them, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-farrell/even-though-i-am-a-professional-and-i-know-what-the-steps-are-i-don-t/) [Suzanne Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-farrell/) > [I'd rather be a guy that can build a house or fix a car than be able to walk like a ballet dancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/i-d-rather-be-a-guy-that-can-build-a-house-or-fix-a-car-than-be-able/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-california-to-train-at-a-more/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Bob's work gleaned from hoofing, from vaudeville, from ballet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-reinking/bob-s-work-gleaned-from-hoofing-from-vaudeville-from-ballet/) [Ann Reinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-reinking/) > [You can imagine me as a kid growing up in redneck Texas with ballet shoes, tucking the violin under my arm. I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-swayze/you-can-imagine-me-as-a-kid-growing-up-in-redneck-texas-with-ballet/) [Patrick Swayze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-swayze/) > [I only started writing in the latter days of Spandau Ballet. I didnt know I could write because all had our roles within the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hadley/i-only-started-writing-in-the-latter-days-of-spandau-ballet-i-didnt/) [Tony Hadley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hadley/) > [All ballet, all reading, all music. That was my world, my inner world,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalia-makarova/all-ballet-all-reading-all-music-that-was-my-world-my-inner-world/) [Natalia Makarova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalia-makarova/) > [I can dance. I like hip hop and stuff and jazz movements, but I'm horrible in ballet. I tried.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keke-palmer/i-can-dance-i-like-hip-hop-and-stuff-and-jazz-movements-but-i-m/) [Keke Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keke-palmer/) [Browse all 1,227 Ballet quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I actually quit ballet when I was offered a job, an apprenticeship at North Carolina Dance Theater Company, run by John Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride, who are my idols. Everything sort of went perfectly. 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