Carla Korbes Quotes

Powerful Carla Korbes for Daily Growth

About Carla Korbes

Carla Korbes was an esteemed American ballet dancer, renowned for her extraordinary grace, technical precision, and emotional depth in her performances. Born on December 7, 1983, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Korbes discovered her passion for dance at a young age. She began her formal training at the School of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre before being accepted into the prestigious San Francisco Ballet School at the age of 14. Korbes joined the San Francisco Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in 2002, rapidly rising through the ranks to become a soloist in 2005 and a principal dancer in 2007. During her tenure with the company, Korbes collaborated with renowned choreographers such as Christopher Wheeldon, Helgi Tomasson, and William Forsythe. One of her most notable performances was as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, a role she danced for ten consecutive seasons beginning in 2005. Korbes also originated principal roles in numerous ballets, including Wheeldon's Rush (2007), Tomasson's A Symphonic Dances (2011), and Yuri Possokhov's Classical Symphony (2014). In 2008, Korbes was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder, which forced her to retire from dancing in 2013. Despite this setback, she continued her involvement with the ballet world as a rehearsal coach and teacher. Korbes' influence extends beyond the ballet studio. She is an inspiration to many young dancers, emphasizing the importance of hard work, dedication, and the pursuit of one's dreams. Her life serves as a testament to the power of resilience in the face of adversity and the transformative impact of art on individuals and communities.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."

This quote by Carla Körbes suggests that striving for perfection is an unattainable goal because it's inherently flawed as it sets an impossible standard. Instead, by continuously chasing perfection, one can reach a state of excellence. The implication is that we should strive to be the best we can be in our pursuits and recognize that even if we never truly achieve perfection, we can still achieve a high level of quality or skill - excellence. This mindset encourages persistence, resilience, and growth, rather than discouraging us with the unattainability of perfection.


"Dance has the power to give your life a purpose, and take away the pain of living without it."

This quote by Carla Korbes emphasizes the transformative and cathartic nature of dance. It suggests that engaging in dance can provide individuals with a sense of direction and meaning in their lives, offering a purpose beyond everyday routines. Moreover, dance can serve as a therapeutic outlet, helping to alleviate emotional pain or discomfort that comes from living without this creative expression. In essence, dance is not merely a form of entertainment but a means to find solace, express oneself, and connect with the world around us.


"Every day, when I dance, I get to be the best version of myself."

This quote by Carla Körbes highlights the transformative power of dance as a means of self-expression and personal growth. It suggests that through dancing, one can tap into their inner potential and embody their ideal selves, free from everyday constraints. This perspective underscores dance not only as an art form but also as a vehicle for self-discovery, emotional release, and achieving greater harmony within oneself.


"The beauty of dance is that it can express anything you want it to express."

This quote highlights the versatility and power of dance as an art form, suggesting that it's not merely a physical activity but also a powerful medium for emotional expression. Through movements, rhythm, and creativity, dancers can convey any thought, feeling, or idea they wish, making dance an invaluable tool for self-expression and storytelling.


"Dancing makes me feel free, powerful, and beautiful. It's a way for me to forget about the world and just be in the moment."

This quote suggests that dance serves as an emotional escape and means of self-expression for Carla Korbes, allowing her to temporarily disconnect from external pressures and immerse herself fully in the present moment. Through dance, she experiences a sense of liberation, empowerment, and self-appreciation, utilizing it as a therapeutic outlet and creative avenue for personal growth.


There are positives to moving around and changing companies: you put things in perspective; you can compare living and working conditions. Living in one city, you tend to take things for granted; your view is much more narrow. In Europe, a dancer can leave for a year and still keep her original contract.

- Carla Korbes

City, Year, Compare, Narrow

Today, dancers have so much more information and are much more mobile. Kids are traveling everywhere to go to summer programs, funding themselves with Kickstarter - putting their dreams on the Internet and seeing if they will pan out.

- Carla Korbes

Dreams, Dancers, Putting, Pan

By the end of 'Swan Lake,' you know how there's all the corps on stage, and she keeps running in the back, doing arms? You can't feel your arms. You're just like, 'Ow.'

- Carla Korbes

Doing, Swan, Like, Corps

I've learned, after 18 years of gathering information, to eat, then check in with my body - how do I feel? I've learned to eat whatever makes my body feel good. As a teenager, I was just so confused, overwhelmed by all the information.

- Carla Korbes

Body, Overwhelmed, Feel, Teenager

I have done the company lifestyle for 16 years, and ballet has changed.

- Carla Korbes

Company, Done, Ballet, Lifestyle

At age 14, coming to the U.S., all I knew was American Ballet Theatre, Baryshnikov, Nureyev, and some of the European companies. I barely knew anything about Balanchine.

- Carla Korbes

Some, Knew, European, Ballet

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