Infinite Steps: Thirty-Three Dancers and Their Lives in 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廥 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.