Dancing into Summer With Lizzie Devanney
Photography by Natalie Lynn
This day was spent photographing and interviewing our friend, the incredibly talented and beautiful Lizzie Devanney.
Lizzie is currently a PD at Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the most highly regarded ballet companies in the world. She began dancing at the age of four, training at the Dance Conservatory of Maryland under the direction of Barclay Gibbs until the age of 13. She then moved to North Carolina to attend high school at the University of North Carolina School for the Arts School of Dance. Lizzie spent her summers training at prestigious summer programs including the School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet School and Carolina Ballet. After attending PNB’s summer program in 2019, she was offered a position in the coveted PNB Professional Division. In addition to dancing full-time, Lizzie takes college courses through a partnership with Seattle University, where professors come to the ballet studios to teach.
What are your plans for this summer?
I was planning to study at Colorado Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet. Since everything has been cancelled, I am planning to continue taking virtual ballet classes with PNB for the next couple weeks. Then, I will be taking classes at my home studio, Dance Conservatory of Maryland. I’m also planning many beach trips since it’s the first summer I’ve really had the time to!
Do you have any advice for how dancers can stay in shape while social distancing?
There are some awesome yoga workouts on YouTube to incorporate into your routine. As for dancing, listen to your body. Now is a great time to get the rest you may not have known you needed. Or, maybe take a barre each day. That’s a really easy way to stay with it. Even just doing a 30 to 45 minute barre can help to keep your body engaging those ballet muscles! It will also help to make an easier transition for when studios can open again. I would also recommend to not get stuck dancing in the same spot each day. If you can, try going outside somewhere on a balcony or deck - I had my Zoom ballet class out on my deck today and it was amazing!
Lizzie’s Favorites:
Favorite Role: my favorite role I’ve performed is probably the First Violinist in Concerto Barocco. Also, Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker!
Favorite pointe shoe brand: Freed! I absolutely love them and wear Classic Pros.
Favorite leotard brand: Motionwear, Eleve and Yumiko are my favorites because they are great quality, last a long time, and work best for me!
Favorite dancer: Marianela Nuñez. Period.
Favorite city: Boston is my favorite city!
Favorite ballet: I really love Cinderella. But some other favorites include Le Corsaire, Don Q, La Bayadère, Swan Lake, and Agon.
Keep scrolling for more pictures from the photoshoot!
