From SAB to Boston Ballet:
An Interview with Alumna Addie Tapp

A Glenwood Springs, CO, native, Addie Tapp began her journey to the stage at age 6 with ballet lessons at the Glenwood Dance Academy. She first came to SAB for Summer Course at age 14, explaining, “I always treasured Balanchine’s creations and dreamt that one day I would be able to perform some of his ballets. My admiration of his work and technique led me to audition for SAB’s summer program in 2010, and I was stunned and delighted to find out that I was accepted into the year-round program.”

Addie continued to train at SAB for four years until graduating from high school, and she has fond memories of cultivating strong friendships with her classmates that remain in her life to this day. “Leaving home at a young age can be difficult, but I found that the community I was surrounded by helped me feel comforted and content with my decision,” she explained. “I also hold close to my heart the countless hours spent in the studios training with each of the unbelievably special instructors that taught me during my four years at the School. The stories that they told and the wisdom that they shared stick with me to this day.”

Addie’s dream of performing Balanchine’s work came true when she danced Serenade in the 2014 Workshop Performances. “When I found out we were performing this ballet for our final Workshop performance, and that I was cast in one of the leading roles, I was over the moon with excitement. I remember feeling shocked, but also honored to get the opportunity to perform this role on stage.”

Reflecting on her transformation from student to professional dancer, Addie recalls many things she learned from SAB faculty that have benefitted her in her career. “At the School, we were taught to be quick, sharp and musical. For someone of my height (5’10”) this was something that was quite difficult for me initially, but over time the movement began to feel more natural. I learned that it was important to know the intention of my movements and to stay on top of the music. Today, when I am rehearsing ballets, I focus on these elements throughout all of the different types of repertoire that I work on.”

After joining Boston Ballet’s corps de ballet in 2014, Addie was promoted to second soloist in 2016 and soloist in 2019. For Addie, it was an honor and a privilege to be accepted into Boston Ballet. “Although I was nervous to enter the professional realm of the ballet world, I felt confident with the step I was taking in joining the company,” she said.

Addie remembers the professional company audition process from her time at SAB, and she admits it can feel intimidating. Her advice to students in their final year at the School is to “trust in yourself and the effort that you have put in to get where you are currently. Be confident in your abilities and recognize the traits in your dancing that make you special. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the arts and live performance substantially, but Addie has found a way to look at the bright side of these circumstances, and is looking forward to better days ahead.

“I have found that this time has given me the opportunity to reconnect and strengthen relationships with many of my family members and friends. Although sometimes it feels hard to stay positive, I remember the special passion and drive that we all have for what we do. My fingers are crossed that the arts will be back in the full swing of things before we know it.”

As Addie looks forward with hopefulness to seeing ballet returning to the stage, one particular moment from her time at SAB truly stands out from her final Workshop performance of Serenade. “During the last moments of the ballet, three men carry the Waltz Girl on their shoulders to the back of the stage, as if she were being lifted to the heavens. In this moment, as the curtain slowly fell, I felt as if one chapter was coming to an end and I was finally ready to start the next.”