BWW Danceworld Young Dancer Profile: CHRISTINA SCHIFANO, A Dream Discovered
By: Christina Pandolfi May. 24, 2017
So often, the desire to dance is intrinsic at birth; it can't be separated from a person's essence and has always been in their very heart and soul. But what about when the passion is discovered later in life? When something moves you so powerfully that it becomes a new avenue for happiness and clarity?
For California transplant Christina Schifano, that's exactly what happened. "I knew I wanted ballet to be my career when I was 14 years old and attended American Ballet Theatre's summer intensive in Alabama. We danced all day long and the teachers had all been dancers with American Ballet Theatre and I looked up to them. They opened my eyes to the ballet world."
Starting her dance career at Seiskaya Ballet under Mme Valia Seiskaya, which allowed her to perform various pas de deux and leading roles in "The Nutcracker," Schifano continued to evolve as an artist by embracing her dramatic prowess at Ellison Ballet. Her most renowned role? "Carmen was extremely special. Edward Ellison really instilled in me the importance of telling the story. I watched the opera to get the emotion and character [and] we spent many rehearsals working on the port de bras found in flamenco dance. I performed the role in competition and it earned me my contract with The Washington Ballet."
After relocating to Washington D.C. to dance under the tutelage of Septime Webre in The Washington Ballet's studio company, Schifano expanded her repertoire by tackling one of ballet's most challenging choreographers: George Balanchine. "It was the end of my first season dancing in Balanchine's 'Rubies.' It was such an honor." Schifano continued to explore and hone her craft by dancing in time-honored ballets, like "Don Quixote," "Sleeping Beauty," and "La Sylphide".
But after moving over to The Colorado Ballet, Schifano discovered an entirely new passion that only strengthened her dancing. "I have very severe scoliosis and injured myself in my first year in Colorado Ballet. I was introduced to Pilates in physical therapy and fell in love with it. It has given me such a profound understanding of body mechanics and has prevented me from further injury." Now a BASI-certified Pilates instructor, Schifano is helping others discover their own strengths. "I feel like I'm truly making a difference in people's lives and it is a career I can take with me for the rest of my life."
Currently, Schifano resides in the San Francisco Bay area, and when she's not teaching Pilates, she's dancing with Menlowe Ballet. And as for advice for young dancers just starting their careers? "Attention to detail is the most important thing. Never be afraid to ask a question. Watch as many live performances as you can...there are such wonderful examples out there to learn from."
Photo Credit: Rachel Neville
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