Patricia McBride Quotes

#1. I always had an inferiority complex, like I wasn't good enough. I was shy. But dancing gave me so much joy, and I was good at it. I felt like a whole person because I could dance.

Patricia McBride

#2. It was a pleasure to meet President Obama and Michelle. I'm not a political person, but I admire what he has done.

Patricia McBride

#3. In Europe, a great dancer might be on the same level as a movie star. In America, not so.

Patricia McBride

#4. When you're a star, critics can't make or break you.

Patricia McBride

#5. I cherish the ballets made for myself by Mr. Balanchine. He never lost his temper. He was quiet, humble, the genius of the 20th century.

Patricia McBride

#6. I danced with Jacques d'Amboise. At that time, he was the tallest man in the company. So it was a different kind of choreography. It was lyrical.

Patricia McBride

#7. I am just so thankful that my mom was a fantastic mom. She wasn't a stage mother; she didn't push me. She was happy if I was happy. We are so different. I was very shy; my mom did all the talking. She was my strength. She never expected that I would be this ballerina.

Patricia McBride

#8. I used to say I didn't want to teach. I was still excited about dancing. It's hard to do both. It's as exhausting teaching as it is to dance.

Patricia McBride

#9. In the beginning, he taught you how to hold your fingers, use your head, hold your shoulders, how you glissade, bourre - the exact way he wanted you to do the steps. It was relearning the whole Balanchine technique.

Patricia McBride

#10. I remember my dreams when I was a junior soloist. 'Oh, I hope I don't end here,' I thought. 'I want to do the ballerina in 'Scotch Symphony.' I don't want to be the little Scotch girl.' And I actually went beyond my wildest dreams. I worked with Balanchine. I had ballets choreographed for me.

Patricia McBride

#11. When I hung up my toe shoes, I didn't look back. In all my years, I have never looked back.

Patricia McBride

#12. Breathe through your movements.

Patricia McBride

#13. I felt that Balanchine was my father towards me. He was the person I most admired and looked up to.

Patricia McBride

#14. Most ballets are more interesting than most men.

Patricia McBride

#15. When you dance, it takes a lot of stamina, but it never seemed like work 'cause I was doing something that I so loved doing. It was always a joy. And you know, to have beautiful ballets made specially for you is such an honor. I always said it was better than diamonds.

Patricia McBride

#16. Conrad Ludlow was an extraordinary partner ... We just called him the greatest partner because he just knew what a woman's balance was.

Patricia McBride

#17. I want to be happy, to look back and feel I danced well at the end of my career and didn't dwindle off. It would be too sad.

Patricia McBride

#18. The ballets you do make you into the final product you are. And I had extraordinary partners.

Patricia McBride

#19. I was determined to dance. That's why I lasted so long.

Patricia McBride

#20. I have such respect for ... the Kennedy Center Honors. To be an artist in America and to be honored for it is extraordinary. In Europe, they really honor their artists. And you are on a very high level. And here it's not as revered as it is in Europe or Russia or anywhere in the world.

Patricia McBride