Patricia Mcbride Quotes

Powerful Patricia Mcbride for Daily Growth

About Patricia Mcbride

Patricia McCarthy McBride (born February 8, 1946) is an influential American ballet dancer, choreographer, and arts administrator who made significant contributions to the world of dance throughout her illustrious career. Born in Chicago, Illinois, McBride's passion for dance was ignited at a young age when she began taking classes at Hubbard Street Dance Studio. Her talent quickly became apparent, leading to her acceptance into the prestigious School of American Ballet (SAB) in New York City at the age of 13. After graduating from SAB, McBride joined the New York City Ballet (NYCB), where she rose rapidly through the ranks to become a principal dancer under the tutelage of legendary choreographer George Balanchine. During her tenure with NYCB, McBride originated roles in numerous seminal works, including Agon, Ballo della Regina, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. In 1975, McBride retired from performing to focus on choreography and arts administration. She went on to create over 40 ballets for companies worldwide, earning acclaim for her unique storytelling ability and innovative movement language. As a choreographer, McBride has collaborated with renowned artists such as Plácido Domingo, Itzhak Perlman, and Yo-Yo Ma. McBride's major works include the full-length ballets Cinderella, Sleepy Hollow, Peter and the Wolf, and The Nutcracker for San Francisco Ballet; Serenade for Pennsylvania Ballet; and Aladdin for National Ballet of Canada. In 2018, she was inducted into the National Museum of Dance & Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York. Throughout her career, Patricia McBride has been recognized as a trailblazer and role model for countless dancers, inspiring generations with her artistry, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the dance world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Dance is the hidden language of the soul of man."

This quote suggests that dance serves as a profound, non-verbal expression of human emotions, thoughts, or feelings. It implies that through dance, people can communicate their inner world – their joys, sorrows, dreams, fears, and hopes – in a way that transcends the boundaries of language. In essence, dance is seen as a universal, instinctual means for individuals to connect with themselves and others on a deeply emotional level.


"To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful than you are, more powerful, more free."

This quote by Patricia McBride conveys a sense of transcendence and liberation that dance can provide. It suggests that through dancing, one can momentarily escape the confines of their physical self, becoming something greater – more expressive, more beautiful, freer, and more powerful. Dancing, in this context, is not just about movement but an act of personal growth and spiritual expansion, where individuals can tap into deeper emotions, creativity, and a sense of freedom that transcends their everyday lives.


"In ballet, it's not about perfection, it's about passion."

This quote highlights that the essence of ballet lies not in achieving a flawless performance but rather in expressing a deep, emotional connection and enthusiasm for the art form. Passion is the driving force behind every movement, leap, and pirouette; it's the authentic emotion conveyed through every gesture that truly captivates an audience. The pursuit of perfection should not overshadow the importance of genuine passion in ballet, as it is this emotional intensity that brings performances to life.


"The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word."

This quote suggests that, like a poem, dance communicates ideas and emotions through a series of movements. Each dance move is a word in the poem, conveying meaning to the audience. The sequence and rhythm of these movements create a narrative or express an emotion, much like words do in a poem. The beauty lies in the ability of both dance and poetry to transcend language barriers and speak directly to our senses and emotions.


"Ballet is the discipline that teaches us to be silent and still, and yet speak volumes with every pirouette, every leap, every step we take."

This quote by Patricia McBride suggests that ballet, as an art form, instills a unique ability to communicate deeply through subtle and precise movements. Rather than relying on words, the dancer expresses emotion, power, and grace with every pirouette, leap, and step taken. The discipline required for ballet, which includes being silent and still, serves to intensify this silent language of dance, making each movement carry a profound impact.


When you dance, it takes a lot of stamina, but it never seemed like work 'cause I was doing something that I so loved doing. It was always a joy. And you know, to have beautiful ballets made specially for you is such an honor. I always said it was better than diamonds.

- Patricia McBride

Honor, Doing, Diamonds, Stamina

I have such respect for... the Kennedy Center Honors. To be an artist in America and to be honored for it is extraordinary. In Europe, they really honor their artists. And you are on a very high level. And here it's not as revered as it is in Europe or Russia or anywhere in the world.

- Patricia McBride

Artist, Here, Very, Honors

I cherish the ballets made for myself by Mr. Balanchine. He never lost his temper. He was quiet, humble, the genius of the 20th century.

- Patricia McBride

Humble, Made, Mr, Ballets

Mr. Balanchine wanted me to be myself. He didn't want me to look like anyone else. I love teaching our company dancers the Balanchine ballets. I try to give them what was passed down to me and what I learned from him. They dance it so beautifully. It also keeps me close to Mr. Balanchine. He's with me every single day.

- Patricia McBride

Love, Dancers, Teaching, Ballets

Most ballets are more interesting than most men.

- Patricia McBride

Interesting, More, Most, Ballets

I remember my dreams when I was a junior soloist. 'Oh, I hope I don't end here,' I thought. 'I want to do the ballerina in 'Scotch Symphony.' I don't want to be the little Scotch girl.' And I actually went beyond my wildest dreams. I worked with Balanchine. I had ballets choreographed for me.

- Patricia McBride

Thought, I Remember, Here, Ballets

The ballets you do make you into the final product you are. And I had extraordinary partners.

- Patricia McBride

Product, Extraordinary, Ballets

My daughter arrived when I was five months pregnant with my son. We adopted Melanie from Korea; she was 2 years old, almost 3. I always wanted to have a family. I had a good example because Melissa Hayden was a ballerina in our company, and she had two children and danced afterward, and Allegra Kent also did.

- Patricia McBride

Good Example, Almost, Melissa

I danced with Jacques d'Amboise. At that time, he was the tallest man in the company. So it was a different kind of choreography. It was lyrical.

- Patricia McBride

Kind, Tallest, Choreography

I've had an extraordinary life as a dancer. You tour the world, you see all the great capitals of the world, the beautiful old opera houses all over Europe - you go everywhere. As a teenager, I would always say, 'I can't believe this is happening to little me,' because it was always a dream to dance.

- Patricia McBride

Believe, Opera, Had, Teenager

In Europe, a great dancer might be on the same level as a movie star. In America, not so.

- Patricia McBride

Movie, Same, Dancer, Same Level

In the beginning, he taught you how to hold your fingers, use your head, hold your shoulders, how you glissade, bourre - the exact way he wanted you to do the steps. It was relearning the whole Balanchine technique.

- Patricia McBride

Beginning, Shoulders, Use, Exact

Mr. Balanchine was a great gentleman, and he loved his dancers. He was devoted to his company. He came to the ballet every night, and his presence was felt. It was like the whole company was dancing for him. And if he liked you, he trusted you to be yourself. He didn't try to change you and make you into something you were not.

- Patricia McBride

Dancing, Dancers, Whole, Presence

I am just so thankful that my mom was a fantastic mom. She wasn't a stage mother; she didn't push me. She was happy if I was happy. We are so different. I was very shy; my mom did all the talking. She was my strength. She never expected that I would be this ballerina.

- Patricia McBride

Strength, Thankful, Very, Push

Breathe through your movements.

- Patricia McBride

Through, Your, Movements, Breathe

When I hung up my toe shoes, I didn't look back. In all my years, I have never looked back.

- Patricia McBride

Back, Looked, Toe, Hung

I always had an inferiority complex, like I wasn't good enough. I was shy. But dancing gave me so much joy, and I was good at it. I felt like a whole person because I could dance.

- Patricia McBride

Dancing, Always, Like, Inferiority

It was a pleasure to meet President Obama and Michelle. I'm not a political person, but I admire what he has done.

- Patricia McBride

Pleasure, Michelle, Obama, President Obama

It was extraordinary 'cause I was 17 years old when I first danced with Edward Villella. And we were both young. But I had seen him dance, and he was already a star. So he was just so gentle and wonderful and kind, and we had a great rapport together. He was one of the most exciting dancers of our day.

- Patricia McBride

Young, Dancers, Cause, Rapport

I was determined to dance. That's why I lasted so long.

- Patricia McBride

Dance, Why, Lasted, Determined

Conrad Ludlow was an extraordinary partner... We just called him the greatest partner because he just knew what a woman's balance was.

- Patricia McBride

Woman, Him, Knew, Partner

I want to be happy, to look back and feel I danced well at the end of my career and didn't dwindle off. It would be too sad.

- Patricia McBride

Happy, Career, Want, Danced

I used to say I didn't want to teach. I was still excited about dancing. It's hard to do both. It's as exhausting teaching as it is to dance.

- Patricia McBride

Dancing, Excited, Still, Teaching

When you're a star, critics can't make or break you.

- Patricia McBride

Star, Break, Make, Critics

I felt that Balanchine was my father towards me. He was the person I most admired and looked up to.

- Patricia McBride

Father, Looked, Felt, Admired

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