The Journey of a Movement Artist: Embracing Versatility and Growth by Michael Cornell

When you’ve professionally danced with a ballet company, performed classical roles, or created a ballet training system for adults based on strict, classical form and technique, people often assume that you’re specifically and only a classical ballet dancer. However, my journey has taught me that defining oneself merely by a primary technical area of study is limiting. As dancers and artists, I prefer to define myself with a much broader brush.

In my early years, I worked with an artistic director who had a visionary approach. He would often remind us, “You are movement artists,” pushing us to see beyond classical ballet. This perspective encouraged me to explore and embrace versatility in dance. I believe that while classical training is invaluable, broadening one’s horizons to include different dance styles and the work of various choreographers enhances a dancer’s ability to move with varied musicality, dynamics, and postures.

Versatility was a central theme in my early career. My director emphasized the importance of being adaptable, a lesson that has stayed with me throughout my life. While specializing in a specific style can lead to stunning performances, as seen in companies dedicated to choreographers like José Limón, Martha Graham, and Paul Taylor, versatility brings its own rewards. It allows dancers to continually challenge themselves and grow artistically.

For my early six years in a company, I thrived in an environment that valued experimental work. Our company didn’t always excel at classical performances, but we shone in creating new, innovative pieces. This process of constant experimentation pushed me out of my comfort zone daily, fostering immense artistic growth. Being pushed outside your comfort zone is not often discussed in the world of professional dance, yet it is crucial for development. The more a dancer pushes themselves, the more they grow, much like earning compound interest in a savings account.

As I have matured, I began to appreciate the process of dance more than the outcome. This shift in focus can provide a dancer with longevity in their career. Loving the process means you will never want to quit dancing. Many people stop dancing because they tell themselves they aren’t good enough. I’ve done work that I wasn’t particularly good at, but I always enjoyed the process. This has created new goals and longevity. I cannot imagine having dance in my life.

There was a moment when my interests began to shift, leading to a personal transition. I lost interest in dancing for my company and this was a natural process of my growth. I had spent a significant portion of my twenties sacrificing my body and life for the art, and this dedication laid the powerful foundation for my future endeavors.

The discipline and adaptability I learned as a young dancer have served me well in life and business. Dance taught me to live fearlessly and embrace new challenges. Today, I spend my free time practicing authentic Argentine tango, applying the vast array of tools I’ve acquired over the years. Weekly practice sessions with my tango partner are intense and focused, akin to a professional athlete preparing for a major match.

In the studio, I’m consumed by thoughts of musicality, precision, fluidity, spacing, posture, dynamics, silence, and breathing. My background and training have endowed me with a dance brain that processes information at a high speed, much like a sophisticated computer system. When I dance, I bring the collective influence of every artist who came before me into the moment.

My dance is not just a reflection of me as an individual; it is the culmination of the work and wisdom of countless artists. This is my argument for becoming a movement artist. Even if one specializes in a particular form, having a broader repertoire enhances the refinement of one’s dance.

I am of the opinion the greatest dancers do not simply produce virtuosity, the legendary artists transmits an important message through dance of our collective humanity and experience. I argue it takes great depth and versatility to produce that type of work. I have not personally reached this level of excellence, but I have been around those who have, and they are inspiring.

In summary, the journey of a movement artist is one of embracing versatility and constant growth. While specialization has its merits, exploring different forms of dance enriches the artist’s experience and skill. Dance teaches us to live fearlessly, adapt, and continually push our boundaries, both on and off the stage.