Q&A with New Principal Christine Schwaner
Christine Schwaner returns for her seventh season with the company as PBT’s newest principal dancer. A native of Brazil, Christine has performed a variety of feature roles in PBT productions, including Swanilda in Coppélia, Svetlana in Dracula and the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty. As Christine gets ready to take the stage for her first season as a PBT principal, read more about the inspiration behind her ballet career:
What is your favorite role and why?
It is hard for me to pick one. I love all of them! Each and every one of the roles brings us a new challenge, technically and artistically!
What inspired you to start dancing and eventually pursue ballet as a career?
I used to watch my older sister Anne dancing, so my mom, Lourdes decided to put me in the same ballet class. And ballet is like this, once you fall in love with this beautiful art form, you are “hooked” for good!
Is there a ballerina or dancer that you consider your primary role model or inspiration?
I never get tired of learning. It is a non-stop process in striving to grow, to innovate, to reinvent! My biggest inspiration has always been my teacher in Brazil, Maria Clara Sales, from whom I never ever stop learning, even if I can just take one class a year with her on my vacation in Brazil. I absolutely learn from all of my colleagues – dancers and teachers – every day! The diversity of our company is just so rich and full of flavors that I believe it makes us special!
When you aren’t dancing,what is your favorite thing to do in Pittsburgh?
My favorite thing to do when I’m not dancing is walking at the park, with my husband and dog on a beautiful sunny day! Can’t get much better than that!