Justin Peck Quotes

Powerful Justin Peck for Daily Growth

About Justin Peck

Justin Peck (born September 14, 1981) is an American choreographer, dancer, and resident choreographer at New York City Ballet (NYCB). Known for his distinctive dance style that combines classical ballet with contemporary movement, Peck has emerged as one of the most influential figures in modern dance. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Peck showed an early affinity for dance. At age nine, he was enrolled at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of NYCB. After completing his training, he joined the NYCB company in 1997, becoming one of the youngest dancers ever to do so. Peck's choreographic career began in 2008 with the ballet In Creases for NYCB. His major works include In Progress (2013), The Times Are Racing (2014), Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes (2015), and The Most Incredible Thing (2017). Peck's unique approach to storytelling through dance has earned him numerous accolades, including a 2016 Tony Award for Best Choreography for the Broadway production of 'Carousel'. Peck's works often reflect his personal experiences and influences. He cites Aaron Copland's music, American Western culture, and modernist painters as significant inspirations. Peck's choreography is characterized by its dynamic use of space, physicality, and emotional depth, pushing the boundaries of classical ballet while staying true to its roots. In 2018, Peck was appointed the first Artistic Advisor for Ballet at The Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen, further expanding his influence on the world of dance. Justin Peck continues to push the envelope with his innovative choreography, blending tradition and modernity in a way that resonates deeply with audiences around the globe.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Dance is about expression and connection, not just steps and technique."

This quote by Justin Peck emphasizes that dance transcends mere movements and technical skills; it's a medium for self-expression and building connections with others. It suggests that the emotional depth, individuality, and interpersonal relationships established through dance are as important, if not more so, than the execution of specific steps or mastery of technique. Dance becomes a powerful tool for communication, empathy, and cultural exchange when these aspects are recognized and valued.


"The beauty of dance is that it can be so many things for so many people."

This quote by Justin Peck emphasizes the multifaceted nature of dance. It can serve as a form of self-expression, an emotional outlet, a means of communication, a source of entertainment, or even a medium to explore abstract ideas. Dance, in essence, is not just a performance art but can be a deeply personal and universal experience for each individual who participates in it or witnesses it.


"Movement is a way to understand yourself."

This quote by Justin Peck highlights the idea that movement, whether it's dance or any other physical activity, serves as a profound means for self-discovery. By engaging in movement, we can explore our emotions, thoughts, and even our deepest selves in ways that words may not always capture. It encourages us to listen to our bodies, to express ourselves freely, and to grow both physically and mentally through the journey of personal exploration and understanding.


"I think about the dancers as artists first and foremost. They're storytellers, and they have an ability to make the audience feel something deep within them."

This quote emphasizes that dancers are primarily creative individuals or "artists" who use their unique skills to convey stories through movement. The deep emotional connection established between performer and audience is a testament to their power as effective storytellers, capable of eliciting profound feelings in the viewers.


"When we dance, we can create a world that isn't bound by the limitations of reality."

This quote by Justin Peck suggests that dance serves as an avenue for human imagination and creativity to transcend the constraints of our physical world. Through the art of dance, individuals are able to construct a realm where they can freely express themselves beyond the limitations that often confine them in reality. It's a powerful reminder of the transformative power that art possesses in connecting us with our innermost thoughts and emotions.


When I'm in sneakers, it changes my body carriage. I feel more in my own skin.

- Justin Peck

Sneakers, More, Carriage, My Own

Ballet dancers are among the greatest living athletes.

- Justin Peck

Living, Dancers, Among, Athletes

It's time for there to be roles in the ballet where two men can fall in love, and a woman can lead a company of 20 dancers that include both men and women.

- Justin Peck

Love, Woman, Include, Both Men And Women

The ballet world, it's a crazy world.

- Justin Peck

Crazy, World, Crazy World, Ballet

When I put on my consumer hat, and I'm buying tickets to be entertained, I'm not interested in seeing, like, 'Don Quixote.' Unless someone really spectacular is dancing.

- Justin Peck

Dancing, Like, Tickets, Quixote

It's amazing what a resource modern technology is now for making ballets, and I film my rehearsals almost every day.

- Justin Peck

Making, Resource, Almost, Ballets

I'm trying to create ballets that I would enjoy seeing.

- Justin Peck

Trying, Seeing, Would, Ballets

George Balanchine is my role model because his work is so varied. You can see two ballets of his and not even realize that they are by the same choreographer.

- Justin Peck

Work, Role, Choreographer, Ballets

I've always thought of the process of creating ballets as being this kind of team effort. It's not like being a painter, where you have your paint, and you have canvas, and you just go at it. I'm working with these living, breathing, functioning human beings, and they have their own thoughts and ideas about what works well movement-wise.

- Justin Peck

Thought, Own, Works, Ballets

I think that story ballets, as great as they might sell, they're a really dated and awkward medium to tell stories through. I think there needs to be an updated or different approach to storytelling in dance. There needs to be less of a separation between the storytelling and the dancing.

- Justin Peck

Dancing, Through, I Think, Ballets

There's something refreshing about going to work with a different group of dancers. There are different ways of moving, different ways in which the institution functions. There's a contrast from place to place, so the variety and the experience of working in a different place feeds me.

- Justin Peck

Dancers, About, Functions, Different Place

I feel like there is a different, new energy when I collaborate with a living artist, whether it be a composer, designer, lighting designer. I love that process.

- Justin Peck

Love, Process, New, Collaborate

It's very difficult to switch back and forth between running rehearsals and then stepping in to dance in rehearsals as a dancer. Just to switch hats in an instant can be a little bit jarring, mostly physically, on the body.

- Justin Peck

Hats, Very, Mostly, Rehearsals

I like graceful and elegant partnering that gives an illusion of ease instead of emphasizing difficulty. I don't want to make something 'contemporary' or 'trendy,' because ballet doesn't progress on one track: it can branch out in many directions, and as Balanchine showed, there's always room for pure classicism and more subtle alterations of it.

- Justin Peck

Ease, Graceful, Pure, Alteration

I'm always interested in linking dance to mundane behavior that everyone can relate to.

- Justin Peck

Always, Relate, Mundane, Linking

My philosophy on choreography is that the making of a ballet is a team effort, and we're in this together. It's not me hammering on them. It's more about how we can elevate this piece collectively to something great.

- Justin Peck

More, Making, About, Team Effort

What's always interested me the most about ballet is it's this great opportunity for many different artistic mediums to come together to create a cohesive experience.

- Justin Peck

Opportunity, Always, About, Great Opportunity

Balanchine was just able to strike the balance between literal narrative and abstract dance.

- Justin Peck

Balance, Able, Strike, Literal

There is something about Dior that reminds me of New York City Ballet. They both have a classic, glamorous basis but are trying to evolve the arts in new and innovative ways.

- Justin Peck

City, New, Dior, Reminds

There is a clearing for new creative thought in choreography. I don't feel intimidated; there is a lot I can do that is new or innovative or different.

- Justin Peck

Thought, New, Feel, Choreography

My choreography is very classically based.

- Justin Peck

Very, Based, Choreography

I try and create choreography that's in conversation with the music that the audience is hearing.

- Justin Peck

Music, Create, Audience, Choreography

For me, the choreography always comes from the music.

- Justin Peck

Music, Me, Always, Choreography

The future of ballet is really in the hands of the creators, so if it's something that interests them to push the envelope with gender roles, then I think it will change. But if that's not of interest to a dance-maker, if their interest is to sort of preserve the way things have been done for the past 200 years, then nothing is going to change.

- Justin Peck

Hands, Been, I Think, Envelope

I've always felt that Balanchine is my ultimate teacher. I learn the most from observing his work and also dancing in it.

- Justin Peck

Dancing, Learn, Always, Observing

If I get a commission, it's like a flood of creative thought and energy.

- Justin Peck

Thought, Like, Get, Commission

I'm not a very good dancer. My feet don't point far enough; my extension is embarrassing. Dance, for me, has been hard because it's a strive for perfection.

- Justin Peck

Feet, Very, Extension, Perfection

I think it's interesting for people to be exposed to ballet in areas they wouldn't necessarily expect to see it.

- Justin Peck

Think, See, Expect, Exposed

Ballet is a classically based art form, so it comes with a certain set of rules, at least to start with; then it's about how far you want to push from there.

- Justin Peck

Art, Set, Based, Push

It's expensive to get studio space and dancers. My whole first three years, I was sneaking around in the studios and getting kicked out of them. It was kind of depressing.

- Justin Peck

Dancers, Studio, Studios, Depressing

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