--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I look at the people who are the…" description: "\"When I look at the people who are the guiding figures in modern dance, I think, 'This does not look to me like the way I want to spend my days.'\" — Twy..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/twyla-tharp-1069_dance_when-i-look-at-the-people-who-are-the-gu_1203523.png" --- # When I look at the people who are the guiding figures in… ![“When I look at the people who are the guiding figures in modern dance, I think, 'This does not look to me like the way I want to spend my days.'” quote by Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/twyla-tharp-1069_dance_when-i-look-at-the-people-who-are-the-gu_1203523.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/twyla-tharp-1069_dance_when-i-look-at-the-people-who-are-the-gu_1203523.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/twyla-tharp-1069_dance_when-i-look-at-the-people-who-are-the-gu_1203523.png) > “When I look at the people who are the guiding figures in modern dance, I think, 'This does not look to me like the way I want to spend my days.'” [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. Even admired artists may not align with personal aspirations; choose paths that resonate personally. **In simple terms:** Not all role models suit you. Key Takeaway Follow your own vision. Themes career art self-discovery Mood inspired thoughtful Type reflective motivational When to use this quote - career choice - artistic direction - mentor selection Key Concepts dance creativity personal values Questions to Reflect On - What qualities do you truly seek in a career? - How can you define your own artistic path? A Different Perspective Admiration can create unrealistic expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Modern dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-dance/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [The talent that has to be learned is finding out what someone's passion is and setting them up to realize that. You don't get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-cashmore/the-talent-that-has-to-be-learned-is-finding-out-what-someone-s/) [Pete Cashmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-cashmore/) > [I would have to challenge the term, modern dance. I don't really use that term in relation to my work. I simply think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-would-have-to-challenge-the-term-modern-dance-i-don-t-really-use/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [What we want from modern dance is courage and audacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/what-we-want-from-modern-dance-is-courage-and-audacity/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [A lot of people insisted on a wall between modern dance and ballet. I'm beginning to think that walls are very unhealthy things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/a-lot-of-people-insisted-on-a-wall-between-modern-dance-and-ballet-i/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [A lot of people insisted on a wall between modern dance and ballet, that the two disciplines were totally separate, and if you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/a-lot-of-people-insisted-on-a-wall-between-modern-dance-and-ballet/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [“Like I said, at Williamson I'm cool by default because I'm black. I can go out there and do a silly dance move I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-thomas/like-i-said-at-williamson-i-m-cool-by-default-because-i-m-black-i-can/) [Angie Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-thomas/) > [I can secretly dance, I think. But no one has seen me so I don't know if that's a fair judgment for me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-sovereign/i-can-secretly-dance-i-think-but-no-one-has-seen-me-so-i-don-t-know/) [Lady Sovereign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-sovereign/) > [“Dance first. Think later. Its the natural order! Or at least its mine anyways. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/dance-first-think-later-its-the-natural-order-or-at-least-its-mine/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [If you do not join the dancing you will feel foolish. So why not dance? And i will tell you a secret: If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/if-you-do-not-join-the-dancing-you-will-feel-foolish-so-why-not-dance/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [“...he will accompany us on a hike in the hills, leaping and whizzing back and forth, and coming when called as well as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-watts/he-will-accompany-us-on-a-hike-in-the-hills-leaping-and-whizzing-back/) [Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-watts/) > [You can get somebody to dance and make them jump in the club, but your feet gonna get tired. So when you put it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boosie/you-can-get-somebody-to-dance-and-make-them-jump-in-the-club-but-your/) [Boosie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boosie/) > [I love costumes in dance, I think it's very important. The clothes for dancing not only make you feel like somebody else, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blanca-li/i-love-costumes-in-dance-i-think-it-s-very-important-the-clothes-for/) [Blanca Li](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blanca-li/) > [Maybe we can use a metaphor for it, out of dance. I think for many years I was aware of the need, in dance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-olds/maybe-we-can-use-a-metaphor-for-it-out-of-dance-i-think-for-many/) [Sharon Olds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-olds/) > [People ask me who I'd like to dance with. I think that Lucy Fallon - she's seems... She's a good height. I saw her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-pritchard/people-ask-me-who-i-d-like-to-dance-with-i-think-that-lucy-fallon-she/) [A. J. Pritchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-pritchard/) > [I like Sam Smith and Taylor Swift. I love pop music, but I also like Sam Smith's slow songs. That would be more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-ziegler/i-like-sam-smith-and-taylor-swift-i-love-pop-music-but-i-also-like/) [Maddie Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddie-ziegler/) ## 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 Dance quotes > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I make dance music because I love to dance. But I want to think at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-make-dance-music-because-i-love-to-dance-but-i-want-to-think-at-the/) [Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/) > [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/) [Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/) > [I like Sam Smith and Taylor Swift. I love pop music, but I also like Sam Smith's slow songs. That would be more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-ziegler/i-like-sam-smith-and-taylor-swift-i-love-pop-music-but-i-also-like/) [Maddie Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddie-ziegler/) > [I think it's useful to experience other types of dance and other cultures, and the life of a classical dancer these days is certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-bull/i-think-it-s-useful-to-experience-other-types-of-dance-and-other/) [Deborah Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-bull/) > [Everything in dancing is style, allusion, the essence of many thoughts and feelings. The abstraction of many moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-ailey/everything-in-dancing-is-style-allusion-the-essence-of-many-thoughts/) [Alvin Ailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-ailey/) > [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [“dances with mine as if we’ve been doing this our whole”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-michaels/dances-with-mine-as-if-we-ve-been-doing-this-our-whole/) [Corinne Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-michaels/) > [My body was so instrumental to how I took pictures: it was practically a dance. I used to use my legs a lot; now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leibovitz/my-body-was-so-instrumental-to-how-i-took-pictures-it-was-practically/) [Annie Leibovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leibovitz/) > [I would rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/i-would-rather-learn-from-one-bird-how-to-sing-than-to-teach-10-000/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) > [If you dance, you dance because you have to. Every dancer hurts, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-dunham/if-you-dance-you-dance-because-you-have-to-every-dancer-hurts-you-know/) [Katherine Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-dunham/) > [I'm not a dancer. Never took a dance class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrishell-stause/i-m-not-a-dancer-never-took-a-dance-class/) [Chrishell Stause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrishell-stause/) > [Being fit is the easiest part of being a dance professional. I used to just throw on a backpack full of rocks and run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-du-beke/being-fit-is-the-easiest-part-of-being-a-dance-professional-i-used-to/) [Anton du Beke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-du-beke/) > [I'm a horrible dancer, but I wanted to record songs that made me want to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lane/i-m-a-horrible-dancer-but-i-wanted-to-record-songs-that-made-me-want/) [Chris Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lane/) [Browse all 9,682 Dance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I look at the people who are the guiding figures in modern dance, I think, 'This does not look to me like the way I want to spend my days.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Twyla Tharp" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/when-i-look-at-the-people-who-are-the-guiding-figures-in-modern-dance/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/when-i-look-at-the-people-who-are-the-guiding-figures-in-modern-dance/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/twyla-tharp-1069_dance_when-i-look-at-the-people-who-are-the-gu_1203523.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/twyla-tharp-1069_dance_when-i-look-at-the-people-who-are-the-gu_1203523.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/twyla-tharp-1069_dance_when-i-look-at-the-people-who-are-the-gu_1203523.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I look at the people who are the guiding figures in modern dance, I think, 'This does not look to me…” — Twyla Tharp", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Twyla Tharp", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I look at the people...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/when-i-look-at-the-people-who-are-the-guiding-figures-in-modern-dance/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/when-i-look-at-the-people-who-are-the-guiding-figures-in-modern-dance/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```