Helga Paris Morales, hailing from Puerto Rico, is a professional ballet dancer with the studio company of The Washington Ballet. Helga moved to Cincinnati, Ohio with her family as a child and received the majority of her training from The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, before going on to join The Washington Ballet’s Professional Training Program. Helga’s dancing prowess is supplemented by her artistic talents as a choreographer, and at 20 years old, she has already created multiple pieces during her time at The Washington Ballet.
1. To get off to an unconventional start, please write a haiku that describes what dancing feels like to you.
Electric feeling The original language Rhythm by movement
2. How did you get into dancing? How did you become a professional dancer?
My mom. God bless her. From a young age, I was a very hyperactive child and ironically had an inverted leg. My mom thought it a great idea to burn some of my energy and get therapy through bomba, ballet, and tap classes. She had no idea how much I would end up falling in love with the theater and art form.
3. Did dancing help you through anything difficult in your life?
Absolutely. Dancing, the studio, it has always been an escape for me. It’s been a way for me to siphon emotions, and as a child the studio kept me safe from trauma. This art form has quite literally been my sanctuary.
4. What adversities or obstacles have you had to overcome to continue pursuing your profession?
I think as dancers just thinking about dancing can be an obstacle, haha. I mean, you have to crack and remold your body. Personally for me, it has been the financial investment that ballet requires, as well as just accepting my own self and movement quality. You constantly compare yourself and your abilities to those around you, and forget about your own light. It is certainly a distraction and mental obstacle, not to mention the extra weight of facing adversities as a black woman in this world (period). But you move forward and do everything you can to rise above, because that is the mission.
5. Tell us your funniest story about the dance world.
The first time I went on stage in the U.S., it was for a tap recital. I was about 7, and we had to walk on stage and wait for the music. But I was just too darn excited to dance, and in the midst of the wait, I started to break dance for a few seconds only to come to a dead serious stop and actually wait for the music. The moment of silence before the roar of laughter from the crowd. Pretty sure I laughed a little too. Luckily I was only 7 then; I was just so happy to be onstage. I have more self control now 🙂
6. In your time as a dancer, what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever had to do?
Once when we were doing the Waltz of the Flowers in Nutcracker, there was a large piece of costume on the floor, and the craziest thing I have ever done was to try to pick it up, leave the stage, and enter just in time for another entrance. I would like to say that it was nicely finessed, but to be honest that was some craziness. Everyone was looking at it to see who was going to pick it up or kick it off the stage, and about five people missed the costume. I thought I was in a good position to be able to grab it, but really I complicated my life.
7. What would you say to someone who is hesitant to go see a ballet performance?
It’s going to be an experience like no other, and it’ll make you truly appreciate the human body. Also, who can deny some good music?
8. If you had only one sentence to convince someone of the importance of the arts, what would you say?
Like scientists, artists have the responsibility to present observations and direct ideas, conversations, and experiences.
9. If ballet had a slogan, what would it be? Or if you had a slogan, what would it be?
Break to rebuild.
Edited by Adelaide Clauss
Dancers Are 