Jessica Dick (“Jessy”), from Muskegon, Michigan, is a professional dancer with The Washington Ballet. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance with a minor in Strategic Communications from Butler University. Jessy also is a wonderful ballet teacher, teaching private lessons as well as adult classes, and puts her minor in communications to good use by working for Zarely, a ballet and fitness clothing company.
1. To get off to an unconventional start, please write a haiku that describes what dancing feels like to you.
Mind body and soul Balance and pure harmony Truest form of self
2. How did you get into dancing?
Growing up, I was surrounded by the arts. My mom was a professional ballet dancer, and my dad was a high school English/Theater teacher with a deep love and appreciation for music and the arts. I trained at Grand Rapids Ballet Company until high school, when I transitioned into training locally from my very own mom. It was tough at times having your mom as a teacher, but I am forever grateful for her training and guidance. I would not be the dancer I am today without her and am so lucky that she didn’t force a professional dance career on me. She allowed me to make the decision to dance professionally on my own. In doing so, I have a bond with dance that feels as if it could never be severed; although it took me a longer time than most to commit to the idea of professional life, from then on I have been more committed and appreciative of the art form. I always knew dance would be part of my life in one way or another, but I also knew that going to college and getting a degree was important to me and something I wanted for my own personal growth and evolution. At that time, there were not a lot of professional dancers choosing the path to go to college…I took a chance and feel lucky everyday that I was able to both go to college and have a job as a professional dancer afterwards. Although the transition from college to professional life was very challenging, it has been such a rewarding process every day to reaffirm my love for this life I get to live. I have gained life experience and maturity from my time in college that will serve me in all areas of my profession. Life is about learning and growing, and dance mirrors that beautifully. Dance opens you to a world of creative expression that has no end or limit.
3. As a professional dancer who attended a full-time college program, what were some of the specific benefits and challenges that came from choosing the college route?
Going to college allowed me the space and time to start becoming a whole person. I met the love of my life and got to grow and evolve with him through some of the most transformative years of our lives. My roommate now is one of my best friends from college who ended up going to grad school at GW and is working now as an Art Therapist. College allowed me to meet people that had very different dreams than me, broadening my view of what life can offer. The most important piece of me that was able to grow was my emotional maturity and confidence in life. I see myself as a multifaceted person who has strengths and interests outside of the studio/stage, so when the performing aspect of my career is over I have options.
College gives you skills that can translate into any situation, but that doesn’t mean that it can prepare you physically the same way being in a professional training program/school can. Although we got a lot of performing opportunities, it is not the same as being part of multiple professional productions where, regardless of your role, you are continuously gaining a level of familiarity and overall comfort being on stage. When I went to The Washington Ballet, I saw how much dance was a passion for every single person there. At first, it was intimidating to see such beauty and talent, but I quickly switched my mindset to soaking up every ounce of knowledge I could. Instead of beating myself up about being older than the other dancers in my same position, I used it as strength. Knowing my emotional and mental maturity was strengthened through my experiences during college, I now see every physical obstacle as a way to grow into the dancer I want to be.
4. Did dancing help you through anything difficult in your life?
Dance helps me in more ways than one. I am realizing that more and more as the days go on. I find it keeps my mind calm and body healthy. The anxiety around the world can put a lot of stress on your body. Especially living through this difficult weird time, I find dance to be my saving grace. The thing about ballet in particular is that it involves so much of your mind and body working together. You have a million little muscles to be tuned into. You have to totally be present in the movement and moment. This is the gift ballet gives. The gift of escaping the every day stresses and connecting you to your purest form of self in any given moment.
5. What adversities have you had to overcome to continue pursuing your profession?
Dance is one of the most challenging art forms, because you have to be so in tune with yourself. I am constantly working on balance of my mind and body. This art form can be very difficult, not only physically but mentally. The biggest challenge that I have faced and continue to face is trusting myself. We have to put total trust in our bodies that our work every day in the studio will translate to the stage as strength and power. In order to be free on stage, to be your most expressive and purest self, you have to be able to let go of any thoughts of “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t think I can do this” or “I’m not strong enough”… and so on. Every dancer faces difficulties, and I believe once you are able to fully trust in the power within yourself, that’s when you shine the brightest. You look at some of the greatest ballerinas and watching them you never feel like they won’t be able to do something, because they emanate such strength, beauty and grace that comes with confidence and trust of their bodies. I am constantly working to find compassion for my body and am learning to appreciate every part of it, even if I see weakness. Dance for me has become a way to learn more about myself, and through that process of self-evaluation and reflection, I feel a deeper connection to myself and my body than I ever have. With more experience comes more understanding, and that is what I am realizing most. I am taking each day to learn and fine-tune my body, so that I can be one step closer to trusting myself in whatever situation I am faced with.
6. Tell us your funniest story about the dance world.
Dancer fails are pretty funny. Here is one from Nutcracker Snow Scene. I had two different spots to learn, each with different entrances, spacing, and choreography, so it was hard to keep track sometimes. There was one instance where I had to do a different spot in each of the two shows on that day, so I got a little mixed up… long story short I went upstage instead of downstage and fully body slammed my fellow snowflake. For a split second, we were in a very awkward hug, staring at each other with eyes wide in panic before continuing on and trying to act like nothing had happened. Good news: I never messed up that entrance again for the remainder of the run.
7. What would you say to someone who is hesitant to go see a ballet performance?
Just do it…what do you have to lose? If nothing else, you get to say you’ve experienced a live ballet performance. On the other hand, you have the potential to connect with an artistic, creative side of yourself that might not be exposed during your regular day. You get to disconnect from your problems or worries of the day and be present.
8. If you had only one sentence to convince someone of the importance of the arts, what would you say?
Life is about growth, pushing your boundaries, finding love, joy and passion, which wouldn’t be possible without the arts.
9. If you had a slogan what would it be?
Your body is smarter than you think.
Responses edited by Adelaide Clauss
Dancers Are 