--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At the ballet classes I took when I first…" description: "\"At the ballet classes I took when I first came to New York, I would see great dancers like Cynthia Gregory and Lupe Serrano. I would look at them and s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e9/twyla-tharp-1069_ballet_at-the-ballet-classes-i-took-when-i-firs_2510757.jpg" --- # At the ballet classes I took when I first came to New… ![“At the ballet classes I took when I first came to New York, I would see great dancers like Cynthia Gregory and Lupe Serrano. I would look at them and study what they could do, and what I couldn't do. And then I'd think maybe they should try what I could do.” quote by Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e9/twyla-tharp-1069_ballet_at-the-ballet-classes-i-took-when-i-firs_2510757.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e9/twyla-tharp-1069_ballet_at-the-ballet-classes-i-took-when-i-firs_2510757.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e9/twyla-tharp-1069_ballet_at-the-ballet-classes-i-took-when-i-firs_2510757.jpg) > “At the ballet classes I took when I first came to New York, I would see great dancers like Cynthia Gregory and Lupe Serrano. I would look at them and study what they could do, and what I couldn't do. And then I'd think maybe they should try what I could do.” [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Observing master dancers highlights personal gaps, prompting the desire to try their strengths. **In simple terms:** Seeing experts reveals one’s own limits. Key Takeaway Learn from others to expand your own abilities. Themes art self‑improvement observation Mood inspired thoughtful Type reflective creative When to use this quote - dance rehearsals - career mentorship - personal development workshops Key Concepts embodiment creative process skill acquisition Questions to Reflect On - What can you adopt from masters without losing self? - How to balance learning and personal style? A Different Perspective Imitation may stifle originality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ballet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Dancers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancers/) [New york](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york/) ## Related quotes > [Choreographers tend to treat ballet dancers like kids they can manipulate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/choreographers-tend-to-treat-ballet-dancers-like-kids-they-can/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) > [The Great dancers are not great because of their technique , they are great because of their passion ¬ ª](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nabil/the-great-dancers-are-not-great-because-of-their-technique-they-are/) [Nabil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nabil/) > [Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/great-dancers-are-not-great-because-of-their-technique-they-are-great/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [As an adult, I took ballet classes three times a week, and I believed it gave me better posture, a stronger body, and made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-hood/as-an-adult-i-took-ballet-classes-three-times-a-week-and-i-believed/) [Ann Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-hood/) > [On the other hand, I think it is wonderful for everyone to take ballet classes, at any age. It gives you a discipline, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-farrell/on-the-other-hand-i-think-it-is-wonderful-for-everyone-to-take-ballet/) [Suzanne Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-farrell/) > [I was sent to ballet classes when I was a little girl. I wasn't very good, but it's that thing where little girls always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/i-was-sent-to-ballet-classes-when-i-was-a-little-girl-i-wasn-t-very/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Dancers, like all performing artists, like nothing better than to be challenged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-kain/dancers-like-all-performing-artists-like-nothing-better-than-to-be/) [Karen Kain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-kain/) > [When I coach dancers, I always like to get on the dance floor with them or describe something by showing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darcey-bussell/when-i-coach-dancers-i-always-like-to-get-on-the-dance-floor-with/) [Darcey Bussell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darcey-bussell/) > [I follow dancers like Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce, as they are in my zone, but when it comes to Indian dancing, I am a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/disha-patani/i-follow-dancers-like-jennifer-lopez-and-beyonce-as-they-are-in-my/) [Disha Patani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/disha-patani/) > [Show dancing stood very well on its own a long time ago with dancers like Bill Robinson and Marilyn Miller.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-reinking/show-dancing-stood-very-well-on-its-own-a-long-time-ago-with-dancers/) [Ann Reinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-reinking/) > [Dancers are not like movie actresses. People look at our bodies, not our faces. They only recognise me when I sign my name on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/dancers-are-not-like-movie-actresses-people-look-at-our-bodies-not/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) > [“The thing is, baby, you don’t have long,’ he said. ‘We don’t have long. Dancers are like dragonflies – in one day, dead in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-rice/the-thing-is-baby-you-don-t-have-long-he-said-we-don-t-have-long/) [Eva Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-rice/) > [People tend to look at dancers like we are these little jewels, little cardboard cut outs, and yet we have blood and guts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jaffe/people-tend-to-look-at-dancers-like-we-are-these-little-jewels-little/) Susan Jaffe > [I find that dancers are only well trained in ballet these days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-find-that-dancers-are-only-well-trained-in-ballet-these-days/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [To me, this acquirement of nervous, physical, and emotional concentration is the one element possessed to the highest degree by the truly great dancers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/to-me-this-acquirement-of-nervous-physical-and-emotional/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) ## More by Twyla Tharp > [“A lot of habitually creative people have preparation rituals linked to the setting in which they choose to start their day. By putting themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/a-lot-of-habitually-creative-people-have-preparation-rituals-linked/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I have learned over the years that you should never save for two meetings what you can accomplish in one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-have-learned-over-the-years-that-you-should-never-save-for-two/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I always find that the best collaborations are when you work with people that know what they're doing, and you leave them alone to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-always-find-that-the-best-collaborations-are-when-you-work-with/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I don't mean this, but I'm going to say it anyway. I don't really think of pop art and serious art as being that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-don-t-mean-this-but-i-m-going-to-say-it-anyway-i-don-t-really-think/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [The art of these Fifties movies was in sustaining forever the moment before sex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/the-art-of-these-fifties-movies-was-in-sustaining-forever-the-moment/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [This is not a pleasant route for many young people to consider. You have to be either hopelessly passionate, or very stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/this-is-not-a-pleasant-route-for-many-young-people-to-consider-you/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I often say that in making dances I can make a world where I think things are done morally, done democratically, done honestly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-often-say-that-in-making-dances-i-can-make-a-world-where-i-think/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I had received my first establishment grants in response to applications filed the year before. To the pages of baffling forms I had simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-had-received-my-first-establishment-grants-in-response-to/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I find the aesthetics of the 20th century hopelessly barren.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-find-the-aesthetics-of-the-20th-century-hopelessly-barren/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I don't think that scheduling is uncreative. I think that structure is required for creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-don-t-think-that-scheduling-is-uncreative-i-think-that-structure-is/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I have always felt one of the things dance should do - its business being so clearly physical - is challenge the culture's gender…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-have-always-felt-one-of-the-things-dance-should-do-its-business/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [There really is nothing I ever had access to that I didn't appreciate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/there-really-is-nothing-i-ever-had-access-to-that-i-didn-t-appreciate/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [Destiny, quite often, is a determined parent. Mozart was hardly some naive prodigy who sat down at the keyboard and, with God whispering in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/destiny-quite-often-is-a-determined-parent-mozart-was-hardly-some/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [When it all comes together, a creative life has the nourishing power we normally associate with food, love and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/when-it-all-comes-together-a-creative-life-has-the-nourishing-power/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [Things change all the time, so why do people make such a philosophical to-do that things are constantly in transition?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/things-change-all-the-time-so-why-do-people-make-such-a-philosophical/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) [Explore all 298 Twyla Tharp quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) ## 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": "At the ballet classes I took when I first came to New York, I would see great dancers like Cynthia Gregory and Lupe Serrano. I would look at them and study what they could do, and what I couldn't do. 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