IN CONVERSATION WITH TILER PECK
interview by JANA LETONJA
photography YUMIKO INOUE
Tiler Peck is a legendary prima ballerina and longtime New York City Ballet principal, widely recognized as one of the foremost dancers of her generation. Celebrated for her musicality, athleticism, and groundbreaking artistry, she has spent over 20 years at the forefront of ballet while expanding her creative reach across stage and screen. This year alone, she has debuted original award-winning works at Lincoln Center, City Center, The Joyce, and London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, while also starring in Prime Video’s 'Étoile' and leading Susan Stroman’s 'Little Dancer'. On 21st October, Tiler releases her debut book, 'XO Ballerina Big Sis', a memoir-meets-guide inspired by friends and fans seeking her advice on how to navigate the dance world.
What inspired you to write 'XO Ballerina Big Sis', and why now in your career?
This book naturally evolved from an Instagram series I started a few years ago where I would sign off ‘XO Ballerina Big Sis.’ I would talk about difficult topics like competition or dealing with injuries, and I saw that there was tremendous response. Lots of questions were sent my way and I realized how much I was able to connect and help my audience by sharing my experiences with them. I have always felt that best part of having knowledge is getting to share it, and if this book helps guide the next generation of dancers to be their personal best, then it will be extremely rewarding knowing I helped a bit along the way.
The book is part memoir, part guide. How did you strike the balance between sharing personal stories and offering practical advice?
I say the book is part memoir because I share some things that have happened to me, like my neck injury, to show how I dealt with the mental struggle as well as the physical struggle. Every dancer will deal with different injuries in their career, so instead of focusing on multiple injuries, I talk from personal experience and say this is what helped me, but doesn’t mean it is the only way. My goal is to give them tools and tips to use at their disposal, so they get to pick what works for them.
What do you hope parents, young dancers, and even non-dancers take away from the book?
I hope that every reader can feel the love and excitement I have for this incredible art form. I absolutely love to dance, and truly believe that there is no better feeling and form of expression than the ability to express yourself through movement. Dancing is the closest thing you can feel to flying and if you love it, I would say you should absolutely go for it. But I do warn that talent alone is not enough. You must have incredible work ethic and a desire to learn as the amount of work you put in equals the amount you’re going to get out from all of your effort.
If you could give just one “big sister” piece of advice to a child entering ballet, what would it be?
Embrace who you are. It’s important to remember that the dance world has room for many types of ballerinas. Don’t waste your time worrying about what you don’t have that others do. Instead, focus that time and energy on making yourself the best dancer you can be.
You just completed your 20th anniversary season with NYCB. Looking back, what does that milestone mean to you?
I honestly still can’t believe that the little me who watched NYCB’s ‘Nutcracker’ at 11 years old and said “Daddy, I am going to be on that stage someday,” has now just finished her 20th season. The time flew by, but I have loved every minute of it and wouldn’t change it for anything.
How have you evolved as an artist since first joining NYCB as a teenager?
When I first got into the company, I was fifteen and very young. Early on, you are focused on being a perfectionist and trying to be technically brilliant. But what’s amazing about this career is that you get to mature as a ballerina the way you do as a person. Your artistry grows every year, and you are able to bring more depth to roles.
What has been the most rewarding performance or role of your career so far?
It is so hard to name just one. I will never forget debuting ‘Swan Lake’ after being in the company for 12 years. It was a role that I thought they would only give to the taller dancers in the company, and so it was so worth the wait, because I felt like I could really understand both Odette and Odile by the time I actually got to dance it.
Ballet is such a demanding art form. How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired year after year?
I think it’s simple. If you love it, it’s all worth it. Yes, the trajectory isn’t always going to be a straight line and there will be many ups and downs, but the reward of getting to do what I love for a living is priceless.
This year alone you’ve starred in 'Étoile', curated festivals, and debuted new choreographic works. How do you decide which projects to say “yes” to?
I say yes to the projects that challenge and inspire me. And this point in my career, I am only interested in things that push me to try something new or help me dig artistically deeper within myself. This year happened to be full of those opportunities, and I’m so grateful.
You’ve choreographed original work in addition to performing. What does choreographing give you that dancing doesn’t—and vice versa?
Choreographing gives you a voice. As a dancer, your body is the instrument of the choreography, and you are the interpreter of the choreographer. As a choreographer, I get to voice my vision and ideas, and love collaborating with the dancer in front of me. But being able to do both at the same time is rare for a ballerina. Since I am still dancing, I choreograph in pointe shoes, which I think gives me a unique perspective on how my work will feel on the dancers, because I can feel it for myself.
Beyond ballet and the book, what’s coming up next for you?
We are gearing up for our Fall Season at New York City Ballet as we speak. I am really looking forward to it. My show ‘Turn It Out With Tiler Peck & Friends’ at New York City Center just finished, and my book, ‘XO Ballerina Big Sis’, comes out today. And my documentary, ‘Tiler Peck: Suspending Time’ premieres with PBS on 7th November. After that, I head to Barcelona to perform and choreograph at Royal Opera House. So, lots going on, but I am looking forward to it all very much.
