Infinite Steps

Portraits of dancers rendered through reflective

storytelling and exquisite photography, illustrating the varieties of

individual paths within the world of ballet



Infinite Steps

invites readers into the deeply personal journeys of thirty-three ballet

dancers from around the world, tracing their paths from first pli?s to final

bows and beyond. Through intimate profiles by writer and dancer Gavin Larsen

and stunning photographs by Gene Schiavone, this book reveals the physical

demands and quiet triumphs that define a life in ballet. Each chapter offers a

glimpse into a dancer's inner world, illuminating the realities behind the

moments portrayed by the images.

The dancers featured in this book span

generations, career stages, and perspectives. Some, such as Misty Copeland, are

internationally celebrated stars, while others are just beginning their

journeys, and still others have transitioned into new lives beyond the stage.

Alina Cojocaru began dancing in Kyiv at 9 years old before becoming a principal dancer with The Royal Ballet and English National Ballet. Paloma Herrera became one of the

youngest principal dancers in the history of American Ballet Theatre, and

Marja' Quaqua received Copeland's prestigious Ballet in the City Scholarship

for emerging Black dancers. Kylie Edwards performed with the City Ballet of San

Diego and transitioned to an acting career, while Vjola Hajati found a second

home performing cabaret at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

From the discipline of training to the

vulnerability of retirement, these stories reflect the full spectrum of what it

means to be a dancer, resonating with Schiavone's images of the artists at work

and rest. Infinite Steps

is a tribute to the resilience, craft, and humanity of dancers. For lifelong

ballet lovers, students dreaming of the stage, or anyone interested in learning

about the people behind incredible art, this book offers a rare and heartfelt

look at the many ways a life in dance can unfold.