May Nagahisa
I met May in my first year at the Mariinsky Theater. She was as new to the company as I was, and she was international too, so we immediately started talking and got closer to each other.
She looks beautiful, with a delicate face, harmonious, long proportions and a lightness of form similar to a feather. Furthermore, she dances in such a precise and natural way, that it seems above human perfection.
May Nagahisa was immediately noticeable for her unique talent, very bright on stage, like a star ; she seemed born to dance.
Now a soloist at the Mariinsky Ballet, she is a jewel for the Saint Petersburg public, and at such a young age and being Japanese in Russia, this is exceptional.
Today, I ask May to share with us what "ballet" truly means to her.
I hope you will enjoy it.
1. How did you start ballet and did you know immediately you wanted to "dance your life" ?
I started ballet when I was 3. It was my mom’s dream to become ballerina. She wanted her child to be learning Ballet as well, so she took me to the ballet school.
Since I started ballet with very young age, ballet was becoming like my daily routine. I never imagined life without ballet.2. What is for you ballet ?
It’s part of me! I live with it, and live for it.
“Ballet” make me happy, make me sad and make me mad.3. For which reasons do you feel the desire/need to dance ? Is it a desire, a pleasure, a need or something else ?
As I said before, it’s part of me and my life. May without ballet(dancing) is not May. I’m glad that I arrived to this profession and thankful for my mom to have guided me into this world.4. How do you feel on stage ?
I feel there is an other side of me on stage. Mostly I don’t remember how I danced and felt on stage Because I concentrate a lot. But I think that’s the right feeling.
Time I get back to my self is in the end, when I bow. That’s the most precious moment!!5. Do you enjoy the rehearsing process ?
Yes, a lot. Especially I enjoy and love working with my coach. I’m so happy to have ELvira Gennadievna as my coach. I trust her with my heart.
We are human, so Of course, it’s impossible to have a good rehearsal every single day. These rehearsal process sometimes make me hate my self so much.
But I realized that, it’s only the work I’ve done in the studio can make my self calm and ready for the stage.
6.Are there any roles you would dream to dance and if yes why are you attracted by them ?
Yes, there are. But I won’t say which…, I want to keep them in my heart.7. is ballet and life in russia different from japan ? For example ? What was the most changing aspect for you ? Was it easy to adapt ?
It is very different, completely! Of course the language, people, culture…. So many different things.
Here in Russia it’s lot easier to experience the art. Like watching ballet, theater, going to concerts or museums…etc. The “Art” is part of people’s life. That’s one of the biggest thing I respect.8. Do you need inspiration to dance ? If yes, Where do you get your inspiration from ? Does your japenese roots inspired you ?
Yes, I always need the inspiration and motivation. The inspiration for the roles, I get from the videos of the other ballerinas. Especially I love watching the old recorded videos. To see the dancers from other generation make me think a lot and inspires me a lot.
The motivation, I get from the Kpop songs. I’m obsessed to it. I get so much power and energy from them.9. Describe yourself in a few words.
shy, picky, lucky, sensitive,(trying to be→)positive10. Which advise would you give to someone that want to become a professional ballet dancer?
To “Love” to dance as much as you can.
I believe that energy of Love and Passion can make you and bring you to what you want to become.
Thank you, May, for sharing your beautiful vision with us today.
you can follow May on Instagram https://instagram.com/may__nagahisa?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
