We were lucky to catch up with Adele Billotte recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Adele thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Hello everyone! I’m Adele, and I’m thrilled to share a bit about myself and my journey in the world of dance. Currently, I’m a student at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City, where I’m living my lifelong dream of becoming a professional dancer.
My passion for dance began when I was just six years old, inspired by my mother, who was also a dancer. I started my training in a small studio in Brignoles, a charming town in the south of France. Watching my mom dance sparked my passion, and I knew I wanted to twirl in her footsteps. Even though she couldn’t chase her dream of going pro due to costs, I’m beyond lucky to live that dream for both of us. Now, at 21, I’m on the brink of making my professional dance dreams come true in America.
From France to full-time training in NYC, my dreams became real life pretty fast. But it wasn’t just dreaming that got me here – it was all about passion, hustle, my amazing community, and sheer dedication. So, if someone says “No” or it feels “too hard,” don’t give up. Chase your dreams, commit fully, and go after them with all you’ve got!
Adele , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m excited to share a bit about myself and the art that serves as an extension of my thoughts, experiences, and dreams.
When I was 10, I decided to chase my ballet dreams in Marseille, at a top-notch dance school. My days were anything but ordinary – after school, my mom would pick me up 30 minutes early, and we’d drive an hour to my dance class. Homework happened in the car, and dinner was often super late. But I loved it! In the 6th grade, I had two choices: stay in Marseille with a host family or head to a dance school in Cannes. I went for Cannes, spending two years in boarding school. It was tough leaving my family, but the chance to dance every afternoon was worth it. In the 8th grade, I switched to the conservatory in Aix-en-Provence, commuting 45 minutes each way. Mornings were for regular school with a twist – classes full of dancers and musicians. Afternoons were all about dance. But, with health issues and a bit of a rough patch fitting in with my dance group, I took a year off to reset. During that break, I realized my ultimate dream was to dance professionally in the U.S., especially at Alvin Ailey. After tons of research and some serious recovery, I homeschooled for a bit, then went back to school in my hometown, training in U.S. dance styles.
I spent two intense years prepping for auditions, and guess what? I got into Alvin Ailey in New York! Now, I’m in my final year and loving every moment. As a student at Alvin Ailey in New York for the past two years, I quickly fell in love with this new life. I’ve made friends from all over the world. I’m still head over heels for American life, their mindset, and especially their work ethic when it comes to dance.
Curious about what a day at Alvin Ailey looks like? Here’s a sneak peek into my daily dance life! Each day in my dance program starts with a ballet class to get my body in shape, followed by my favorite part of the day: Horton technique, which is central to Alvin Ailey’s style. Sometimes, I have a break or take a Graham class with instructors from the Martha Graham School, where we explore a complementary dance technique. In the first semester, I enjoyed different complimentary classes such as West African Dance for its grounded movements, Music for its essential role in dance, and Musical Theater, which was a challenging but valuable experience. The second semester featured Composition classes for creating choreography and working with our advisor on Alvin Ailey repertory, a dream come true. Every day offers new techniques and opportunities, helping me grow as a dancer.
I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but I’m excited to see where all this will take me.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Starting dance at a very young age, I’ve always felt like my body was on a thrilling adventure! I never had trouble with weight or injuries, and my endurance was impressive, thanks to my lean build. Flexibility was my playful challenge, and I loved working on it.
As I grew up, I realized that just dancing wasn’t enough to keep my lean, muscular body with lots of stamina. Especially during those teenage years with all the hormonal changes. When I had to pause dancing due to a health issue, I quickly noticed some weight gain – classic teenage woes, right? I struggled to feel happy with my body, especially since physical appearance is so crucial in the dance world.
As a high-level athlete, our bodies are our lifelong tools, so it’s vital to care for them. Looking back, I wish I had learned to care for my body even before those teenage years. Our bodies are always evolving, and with my love for delicious food, I’ve had to balance it with extra sports and mindful eating. It’s a lifelong journey, but one that’s even more important during a high-level dance career.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, being an artist is like receiving a magical gift at birth that we get to unwrap and enjoy throughout our lives. Being an artist means having a special sensitivity that lets us explore unique paths and avoid the mundane routines of life. This sensitivity can be expressed through our voice, our ears, our bodies, instruments, or by creating and painting.
It’s in our DNA to be artists. Personally, my dream is to perform on stage while dancing, and though I haven’t reached all my goals yet, there’s something truly magical about being on stage. Combining dance and music is all an artist needs to feel complete. I love performing, having people watch me, and following the rhythm of the music, whether I’m dancing alone or with others. We also embrace the physical challenges that come with dancing because, as dancers, that’s what we call the magic of the stage.
As dancers, we always strive to be the best, and that’s why we put in so much effort. My goal is to become a professional dancer, traveling around the country and the world, showcasing all our hard work and passion on stage for everyone to enjoy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: adele.billotte
- Facebook: Adèle Billotte
Image Credits
Instagram: the.thief.of.time