A Conversation with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School Alumnus James Gilmer
James Gilmer has lived in many cities across the United States throughout his ballet career, but it all began in Pittsburgh. Beginning at the age of eight, James trained with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School until he graduated at 18. Since then, James has been taking the lessons he learned from the School, such as young mens classes with Alan Obuzor and Pre-professional classes with Janet Popeleski, to make his mark in professional companies.
PBT School recently caught up with James, now a dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, about his experiences at PBT and the career that followed. Listen to the conversation below!
I’ve always praised the instruction and the technique that I gained [at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School]. I think back on that stuff all the time whenever I’m in a professional setting. Even if it just takes a little minute to adjust something it’s like, oh wow, I’ve been thinking about that particular thing for years because of somebody at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School.
Cover Photo by Steven Vandervelden