Our Monthly “Meet the Artist” Series: Cristina Page

 Meet new company artist Cristina Page, who just began her first season with the Charlottesville Ballet.

THE BASICS

Name: Cristina Page

Age: 23

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Hometown: Salem, Virginia

Role in C’ville Ballet: Company Artist

 

Check out this video of Cristina’s recent photo shoot for a project with local photographer Guillermo Ubilla of GXU Images:

FAVORITES…

Food: Mmm…peanut butter

Cristina at UVA, courtesy Jonathan Taylor Photography

Color: Purple

Book: I have too many favorite books, but Toni Morrison, Ayn Rand, and Dave Eggers make the list for favorite authors.

Movie: Love Actually (go ahead, call me cheesy)

Quotation: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”-Yogi Berra

Spot in C’ville: Integral Yoga–I love their smoothies!

 

NERDY DANCE QUESTIONS

Jonathan Taylor Photography

Tell us about your dance background and training:

I grew up dancing at the Roanoke Ballet Theatre in Roanoke, VA, then had a quick stint in the Washington Ballet‘s pre-professional division during high school.  I came back to Roanoke to train with Unurbat Gunajaav, then moved to Charlottesville to attend the University of Virginia in 2008.  At UVA I danced and choreographed in many dance department concerts.  I earned a BA in Modern Studies–an interdisciplinary program which merged studies in Modern Literature and Modern Dance.  I previously attended intensive programs at the Kirov Academy, American Ballet Theatre, Paul Taylor, and the American Dance Festival.

Cristina in Charlottesville Ballet’s Mainstage One Performance, October 2013.  Photo by Keith Alan Sprouse.

 

What genres of dance do you enjoy?

All of them!  I love watching and trying out all genres of dance, both performance and social.  I dream of being good at hip-hop, but I’ll always have ballet and modern to fall back on!

 

What kind of pointe shoe do you wear?

I switch back and forth between Bloch Suprimas and Russian Pointe Rubins.

Favorite dancers or role models?

Merce Cunningham and my parents!

Photo Courtesy of Guillermo Ubilla, GXU Images

Do you have a favorite ballet:

La Bayadere.  I love how different and more dark it is than the other classics, and the costumes are always stunning.

 

What is your favorite ballet step/movement?
Pas de basque- it doesn’t get the credit it deserves.

 

Tell us, why do you dance?

Because it feels great. Every day I have the opportunity to master something and challenge myself with something new.

 

OTHER

Cristina overlooking Shenandoah National Park

What other jobs/activities/pursuits are you involved in?

I will be heading to medical school in the fall of 2014!  Woohoo! I also work in the Cardiac Monitoring Unit at UVA Hospital.

What other talents or passions do you have?

I play the piano and guitar for fun.  I am also trying to learn the ukulele, but am not so good at it yet.  I love the great outdoors-you can find me in the mountains hiking, backpacking, or skiing!

Anything else you’d like to express?

I am thrilled to be working with such wonderful dancers this year at the Charlottesville Ballet.  They have welcomed me in like family, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to commit myself to dance for one more year before I start my career in medicine.

I also hope that everyone will come see the production of The Nutcracker Suite on December 21 and 22 at PVCC.  I will be dancing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Sunday 2:00pm show and can’t wait to share the magic of this holiday ballet with Charlottesville audiences!

 

Thanks for enjoying our “Meet the Artist” segment– and look for a new Charlottesville Ballet artist profile next month!

(c) Charlottesville Ballet 2013

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