Compañía Ballet de Santiago
Sebastian Vinet, Compañía Ballet de Santiago
NYCDP Questionnaire:
Where did you grow up and how did you get interested in dance?
SV: I grew up in Santiago. I’ve always been interested in art. I love acting , so when I was little I work on national television before I started dancing. I think Michael Jackson is who got me into dancing, and the movie billy Elliot got me interested in ballet at age 12.
How did your background and your family’s background; affect your passion for dance?
SV: There are no dancers in my family, so none of my family members or even me, knew what I was getting myself into when I started dancing, I come from a very supportive family, so that has helped me to be where I am professionally and emotionally.
What career would you have chosen if you could not have been a dancer?
SV: Maybe I would of stayed working in television, or a dj, I have a big passion for electronic music. I produce music when I’m at home,
I became a resident DJ in different venues/clubs while I was in San Francisco, but now I’m dancing so much that I don’t have the energy or the time to do that anymore.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started dancing professionally?
SV: How physically painful this career can be and how strong emotionally you have to be.
Of all the roles you have performed, which role helped you grow the most as an artist?
SV: I think every role helps you grow as an artist, even if is a role you have dance many times. But the one that has marked me the most is Nijinsky choreographed by John Neumeier.
If a child told you they wanted to be a dancer, what advice would you give them?
SV: Work hard, have fun, follow your dreams and make smart decisions.
How has social media changed a dancer’s status and what is required of them?
SV: I think social media is very important to stay connected and informed now days.
Some dancer aren’t fortunate enough to travel to different countries or dance in international galas and see what’s happening outside of their country and I think is very important to know what’s going on and watch other dancers, even if is on YouTube, because you learn so much from watching. And I think social media allows dancers to stay connected.
Do you have one moment in your career that you remember most fondly? Or one moment that you feel really defined your career or the trajectory of it?
SV: I have many, but I think the most important util now is winning the apprenticeship award at the 2009 Prix de Lausanne.
Who would you like most to have a coffee with (could be dead or alive)?
SV: Michael Jackson.
Who were some of the people who influenced you the most in your career?
SV: My family and Michael Jackson,
Whatever I do artistically, truly is because of Michael jackson, I think he is a genius.
What do you most value in your friends?
SV: Humor and honesty. It is so hard to find real friends in this career. Jealousy is a big thing we have to deal with every day.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
SV: Live day by day and not stress about the future. I admire people that live in the moment. I’m a very anxious person so I stress about the future very often.
If you could be an animal, what would animal would you choose and why?
SV: A bird, I would love to fly, the closest I been to that is skydiving.
Which person (dead or alive) would you most want to dance with if you could?
SV: Marianela Nuñez.
What is your greatest indulgence?
SV: Traveling.
What are your worst fears (professionally or personally)?
SV: I’ve always been afraid of the dark and professionally I think is to fail in any of the goals or projects I have.
What was your biggest mishap in a performance?
SV: That I forgot to go on !!!! And I remember also during my school days I had to carry a tray that had cups on it, across the stage, I can’t remember if I tripped but they all fell of the tray and went into the orchestra pit.
Is there a special meal you have before performances?
SV: Maybe fruit or something not too heavy but that gives me energy before I go on.
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