DANCER HIGHLIGHT: TATIANA STEVENSON

Photo: Corps Artist Tatiana Stevenson and Artists of Ballet West | By Beau Pearson

What is it like being a professional ballerina? Ballet West Corps Artist Tatiana Stevenson shares what her day looks like, which usually starts with breakfast, coffee, and then a five-minute walk from her house to the studio in downtown Salt Lake, above the Capital Theatre. Some days she teaches Gyrotonics before class, and other days she goes straight to class, which is when she gets her body set up for the day and takes note of what she needs to focus on during rehearsals.

“Taking ballet class every day is great for improving technique,” Stevenson says “If you don’t take class, you won’t improve as quickly as you’d like to.”

Class if followed by six hours of rehearsal. The best part she says is continually striving for perfection. “You are never bored since there is always something to work on, even as a professional,” Stevenson says. “As a student, your goal is to become a professional, which keeps you going. Once you become a professional, it’s more personal and focusing on self-improvement.”

Stevenson trained at the Dance Theatre of Harlem from age 11 until 16, then joined the Ballet West Academy Trainee program during her senior year, the only Trainee at the time still in high school. She joined Ballet West II two years later and then promoted to the main Company in 2022.

“I feel like I’ve grown up here since I was 17 years old when I started and it feels like my family here,” Stevenson said. Away from dancing, she spends time drawing, enjoying music, and cooking. During the off season, she visits family and friends in New York and continues teaching Gryotonics.

Follow Tatiana on Instagram @this_be_tati.