But there are spaces where Black and queer people should exist. It was this safe place where I was recognized for my talent, and I could do or be whatever I wanted."Edwards : "There are companies where I feel I would have a lot easier opportunity to succeed. "Ballet became my avenue to escape my environment. What made you choose and stay with Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB)? You could’ve applied for a predominately Black company like the Harlem Ballet Theatre. Schools don’t teach us about prolific Black ballet dancers like Arthur Mitchell, Albert Evans, Lauren Anderson, and Misty Copeland-much less Black and queer ones. It became the thing I did on Saturdays, and then it became my everyday."įlintside: Ballet is a very white-dominated profession. Growing up, because I had so many brothers, it was easy that was my after-school activity. She was driving me to, doing my hair for performances and things for auditions. There were a couple of other guys in my class, so she accepted it. That's how I started."įlintside: How did your family feel about you pursuing ballet as a profession?Įdwards : "My mom recognized that boys did ballet too. When I got the opportunity to dance, I danced my heart out.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET ASHTON EDWARDS PROFESSIONAL
I saw these professional ballet dancers, and they were all Black. I'd seen The Nutcracker the year before because we do it in Flint. They had all the kids try different instruments, dance, acting, and singing. It just so happened that there was a school field trip to the Flint Institute of Music. That was who I was-that's who I connected with. How did that happen?Įdwards : " I knew when I was three-years-old that I needed to be a dancer. On break in between classes, Edwards sat down with Flintside to discuss breaking barriers, queer identity and adding to Black ballet dancers’ legacy.įlintside: You don’t hear stories about people doing ballet in Flint.
"My life's goal is for Black kids to know that they are so much more than their wildest dreams."Through hard work, determination, and the support of his family, Edwards moved from Flint to Seattle, Washington, to join Pacific Northwest Ballet’s (PNB) elite Professional Division, where he intends to upend traditional ballet standards and make space for new generations of ballet dancers.
From the age of three, Edwards fell in love with ballet taking classes at the Flint Institute of Music and landing a spot in the famed ballet act, The Nutcracker. He’s done it all while Black and queer-both in terms of his sexuality and gender. With style, dignity, and grace Edwards has jumped, leaped, and asserted his way into a majorly white-dominated profession. FLINT, Michigan - In the world of ballet, 18-year-old Flint native Ashton Edwards is the exception and not the norm.
0 kommentar(er)
