Dance for You Magazine Issue 76 (2017)

DANCEforYOU magazine
15
The American Dream must have seemed
a utopian dream for a boy from San
Fernando de Henares - a small town 14
kms away from Madrid - who, in the early
80s, was taking his first ballet lessons from
Víctor Ullate. However, he did not only
made his debut in VU’s ballet (1992-1995)
but took a leap to the USA, where he has
developed most of his career: Pennsylvania
Ballet (1996-1997), American Ballet
Theatre (1997-2002) and from 2003, New
York City Ballet (NYCB). Principal Dancer
in the NYCB since 2005, De Luz, was
awarded the “Oscar of ballet” (Benois de
la Danse award) in 2009, and has recently
been awarded the Spanish National Dance
Award. In this interview for DANCE FOR
YOU MAGAZINE, Joaquín de Luz reflects
on his career and recent successes.
At age 40, how do you feel at this point of
your career?
I'm at the best moment of my life and career, where I enjoy
at its fullest every moment I have onstage; I go out there
as if it was the last. And even though I have to do a lot of
extra work to keep it finely tuned, my body is responding.
There are always unachieved goals. I would have liked to
dance at Teatro Real in Madrid (Royal Theatre) and for The
Spanish Royal Family, and collaborate with Ballet Nacional
de España (Spanish National Ballet) –one of my favorite
companies in the world. But there are also things that
I hope to achieve before I retire. I'm transitioning into the
health and conditioning world. 8 years ago, I had a bad
injury in my back. Three different doctors told me I would
have to quit dancing. Through research, and developing
a program at the gym, I found a way to stay away from
surgery and to continue dancing. I have now designed
a successful strengthening/injury prevention program for
NYCB both for dancers and non dancers, which I hope to
be teaching to trainers from other companies.
What has it meant to you to be awarded the
Spanish National Dance Award?
It is a great honor. Though I have been living in America
for the past 20 years, I feel very Spanish. I carry my country
in my heart, and I am always proud to represent it.
The award is my country’s acknowledgement of my
career and I feel very proud. I come from a very humble
place. As a little boy growing up in a small town, mid class
family, if anyone had told me I would be where I am today,
I would not have believed it for a second. I have always
kept my feet on the ground, never taken things for granted.
I have earned every single thing I have been blessed
with through sweat and sacrifice. Awards do not change
any part of that: where I come from, where I am headed...
Has the award got the monkey off your back?
Yes, indeed. In these past 20 years, I have danced for two
of the most prominent companies in the world, premiered
pieces by important choreographers, been guest
for major companies and danced at really important
events… And not once has the Spanish media shown
any interest. But the problem comes from above, from
the politicians that don't foster culture. Perhaps, I should
have dated an actress or a TV celebrity to become famous,
haha. Spain could have one of the foremost dance
companies in the world. The talent is there, but has
to migrate because of lack of government backing and
infrastructure. Although I am very grateful, the award is
not going to erase all that. That doesn’t mean I feel bitter.
Perhaps not having that extra attention has made
me more humble. With the head down, one is able to
keep focused and drive forward. >>
Joaquin De Luz
in Jerome Robbins’
Andantino´
Photo by Paul Kolnik
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