New Dancer Spotlight: Josiah Kauffman
Josiah Kauffman, PBT’s sixth new dancer for 2019-2020, didn’t have an easy path to his professional career. But it was injury that cemented ballet as his passion. Get to know Josiah:
Fun Facts
Hometown: Belgrade, Montana
Family: “I have a dad and mom, a little brother and a little sister, a pug, and a cat. I love them all and I miss them a lot.”
Pre-performance ritual: “I spend some time in prayer and listen to music to get me pumped.”
Hobbies: “I love playing all sorts of instruments (guitar and mandolin). I also really enjoy playing chess.”
Favorite food: “Cheeseburgers!”
Favorite musician/song: “Rend Collective.”
Ultimate dream role: “Spartacus!”
Favorite role to date: “I got to play Basilio in Don Quixote at my school in Indiana this last spring.”
Q&A
How do you think you’ve grown as an artist during your training? How has it prepared you for a professional position?
“My teachers, [former PBT dancer] Robert Moore and Pollyana Ribeiro really emphasized dancing with artistry instead of just doing the steps for the steps. Growing up in a competition studio in my earlier years, I always thought choreography had to be trick-heavy and explosive to impress an audience. After switching to classical ballet, I learned that putting my heart and soul into choreography can be a lot more moving than just pulling off heavy tricks.”
Describe your ballet “epiphany” – the moment you knew this was what you wanted to do professionally.
“When I was 14 years old, I had a medical scare. The doctors told me I had fractured my C-4 vertebrae and I could be paralyzed from the neck down with too much movement – dancing was pretty much off the table. Being faced with the possibility of never dancing again, I realized what a crucial part of my life it was. Thankfully, they found that I only had a minor fracture and was able to continue my training.”
What are some of your personal goals for your first season as a company dancer?
“My goal is to grow more as a dancer and a performer.”
What’s the most fulfilling thing about being a ballet dancer?
“Striving for perfection is the most fulfilling thing for me. I like a challenge.”
What are you most looking forward to next season?
“Being able to dance and perform with professionals on a regular basis is something I am really looking forward to and I’m excited to see more growth in my abilities.”
If I wasn’t a ballet dancer, I would be…
“I like to work with my hands, so I’d probably build houses or do something with music.”