THE DANCE ENTHUSIAST'S A TO Z: Q for Miranda QUINN and QUINN Starner
Miranda Quinn
Biography
Miranda Quinn joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company in 2019. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, she trained in various genres of dance at the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts from the ages of 2 to 18. Quinn graduated from The Juilliard School in 2019 under the newly appointed direction of Alicia Graf Mack. Her attendance at the school was made possible by the Jerome L. Greene Fellowship. She is an alum of the Springboard Danse Montréal, Arts Umbrella, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago summer intensives. Today, she is honored to be part of the mission of maintaining the Ailey legacy. Follow her on Instagram at @mirandaming4.
Image captions & credits: Both cover image of Miranda Quinn dancing and headshot courtesy of the artist
Quinn Starner
Biography
Quinn Starner has been a member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet since March 2022. She was born in Lambertville, Michigan, where she began her training at the age of 7 at Viva Dance Company in Monroe, Michigan. She received additional training at Toledo Ballet, Company C in Toledo, Ohio, and Indiana Ballet Conservatory in Carmel, Indiana. Starner attended summer programs at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, in 2015 and 2018, before enrolling full-time for the 2018 winter term, and became an apprentice with NYCB in August 2021. As they say, the rest is history. Follow her on Instagram at @quinn_starner.
Image captions & credits: Cover image of Quinn Starner dancing by Erin Baiano | Headshot of Starner by Lindsay King
What made you decide to enter this profession?
Quinn:
My adoptive mother owned a dance studio when she got me, so I don’t remember a time when dance was not part of my everyday life. Once I learned that this could be my career, that was it. I knew dancing in a professional company was what I was going to do.
Starner:
I started dancing at the age of two and fell in love with it instantly. I grew up doing competitions and grew to love it more every step of the way! I realized early on that my favorite place in the world was on the stage. I was probably about 12 when I really decided that I wanted to pursue dance as a profession. I just couldn’t imagine doing anything else!
Who has been the biggest influence on your life and why?
Quinn:
I don’t think I can chose any one person who has influenced my life most. It truly takes a village, and I have been extremely privileged to have so many mothers, teachers, and supportive family members who have all played integral roles in my life. I wouldn’t be here without a single one of them.
Starner:
My mom has been the biggest influence in my life. She has always been someone I look up to in so many ways. She has always been there for me through everything. She taught me how to be strong, and to never give up on my dreams. She has inspired me so much and I am forever thankful for her and my family.
I can always rely on __________ to cheer up.
Quinn:
The Golden Girls! It's my favorite TV show. I’ve probably seen every episode at least 20 times, and I could watch them all 1,000 more times. Sophia is my favorite!
Starner:
There are a few things in life that can always make me happy. A sunny day, a cup of coffee, and a really challenging ballet class can always cheer me up.
I practice self-care by __________.
Quinn:
I do talk therapy and monitor how affective my anti-depressants are. I create and maintain support systems for times when I am struggling and need a little extra help — these might be people whom I know I can rely on any where and any time, or things such as crafting, getting a fresh haircut, and hanging with my best friends.
Starner:
Going for a walk in the park. I also love going to the gym and doing pilates and hot yoga. A nice hot bath at the end of a long day is the best! Also, getting facials and massages!
Pets or plants. Either way, why and what kind?
Quinn:
Pets! I don’t have any of my own because Ailey tours so much and I wouldn’t be able to take care of any at this point in my life. When I go back to Baltimore to visit family, I get in some quality snuggles with my mom’s dog and cat.
Starner:
I love pets. I have a cat named Bella that lives with me in the city and two dogs named Remey and Coco back home in Michigan! I love the unconditional love they give you and, of course, the cuddles.
Cooking or eating out? Either way, what is your favorite meal?
Quinn:
My favorite food is sushi and although I enjoy making it, I usually just get it at a restaurant.
Starner:
That’s a hard one for me to pick; I love both for different reasons. I love cooking in because it’s always fun to make something new. I love eating out because I love dressing up and eating out with family and friends. My favorite meal is either a salad or hummus.
If you could relive the past or catch a glimpse of the future, which would you pick and why?
Quinn:
Relive the past for sure. I have no regrets, but it would be nice to go back and take advantage of more knowledge and opportunities that I had access to in my time at Juilliard. If I knew what the future holds, life would lose its mystery and meaning.
Starner:
I have so many wonderful memories in my past that I love to think back on, but I always try keep looking forward in life. So I think I would pick a glimpse of the future.
What is your personal approach to handling challenging people or situations?
Quinn:
Kill ‘em with kindness! They can’t be upset with you if you are doing everything you can and if the situation is still challenging, at least you know you did your best.
Starner:
Always try to see the other side of the situation. I don’t like confrontation, so I try to make things better when it comes to people. In situations, you can always find a way to work through it instead of getting upset or giving up.
How has your personal life changed since the pandemic?
Quinn:
My personal life hasn’t changed much since the pandemic, but during quarantine I was able to spend some great quality time with my family that I would’ve never gotten otherwise.
Starner:
I appreciate all the simple things in life and all that I have. I take nothing for granted. The pandemic was hard. I missed dancing. I missed people.
How has your art or approach towards art changed since the pandemic?
Quinn:
I’ve been able to stay more present in my artistic choices and take each opportunity to dance as a way to push farther and just have fun, because I now know that outlet for communal joy and connection can be disrupted in an instant.
Starner:
I have always appreciated my art, but I never thought that things in the world could prevent me from doing it. It has made me more thankful to be doing what I love every day.
What is the last show you saw and loved?
Quinn:
I really loved Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake when I saw it at New York City Center. It was truly one of the best dance performances I’ve ever seen! The way the choreography illustrated Tchaikovsky’s music was perfect harmony!
Starner:
Ironically it was at my company (NYCB) in a program that I was not in during the spring season.
What is your pre-performance (as a spectator or a performer) ritual?
Quinn:
My pre-performance ritual includes a 10 to 15 minute abdominal workout, a ballet barre, and plenty of time to sit and enjoy the process of doing my makeup. If I’m feeling especially exhausted and need a little pick-me-up, I do my makeup with some fun colors or a new design to get myself excited!
Then I get to the stage with time to review choreography and connect with the other dancers.
Starner:
I always love to do a little pre-show barre and some pilates to warm up.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall for this moment in dance history: __________.
Quinn:
When Eleanor Powell was filming her number with the dog in Lady Be Good. Wow, talk about mastery and the gift of dance.
Starner:
I wish I could be a fly on the wall and see Mikhail Baryshnikov dance in person. I love watching videos of him dancing and he has brought so much to the dance world.
I also wish I could see my teachers from my old ballet school Alyona Yakovleva and Tatiana Pail dance in person. There have always been such an inspiration to me. I would love to see that moment.
I have / have had the most fun performing __________’s choreography or trying out this genre of dance _____________.
Quinn:
Aside from Alvin Ailey’s iconic modern/jazz style of course, I really enjoyed performing Nacho Duato’s Por Vos Muero in college. It was such a memorable experience, and I loved the arc of the piece. It had a little of everything: drama, passion, joy, and celebration. I thoroughly enjoy technical work with a little theatricality.
Starner:
I have the most fun performing any type of contemporary and I also love to perform (George) Balanchine and (Jerome) Robbins ballets.
Is there a book, podcast or TV program you recommend to others and why?
Quinn:
Well, I love me some true crime podcasts, but if you are looking for something dance-related, I loved Love Death and Robots: Jibaro. Talk about abandonment in movement! Whoa!
Starner:
I have always loved watching Center Stage because I recognize or have worked with dancers who were in the film.
I also like listening to The Rosin Box or New Combinations with Wendy Whelan. Both are very fun and insightful.
This city or country is the best place I have ever been to for art: __________.
Quinn:
The most beautiful and memorable art I have seen in my life thus far has been in Japan. It was the work of Tadao Ando and James Turrell. These artists use lighting and architecture to create immersive illusions of perception. Real life magicians!
Starner:
Madrid is the best city I have been to for art.
Which social media app are you most drawn to?
Quinn:
Youtube! I love a YouTube rabbit hole. My most-watched genres are make-up videos and comedy.
Starner:
I would say that I am most drawn to Instagram or TikTok.
What advice do you have for young people in your field?
Quinn:
Do EVERYTHING! Being a well-rounded dancer is more valuable than being extremely good at one genre and not being able to translate what you know into other styles of dance. Everything relates to another in some way and the more you can do, the more opportunities will come your way. Diversity in personal expression is a huge asset.
Starner:
My advice is to never give up on your dreams and if you want it bad enough you can always make it happen. I would say you always have to believe in yourself and be your biggest supporter.
How can we amplify the voices of overlooked and deserving artists?
Quinn:
We can do our best to educate ourselves and others about the origins of different artistic expressions, and find innovative ways to make space for underrated artists within the major artistic organizations of the world, in honor of and despite tradition and legacy.
Starner:
By awarding more scholarships to provide opportunities that they would normally not have exposure to.
Plus continuously expanding the dance world to people who are not as aware of how creative and inspiring it is to watch and do.
How do you spread enthusiasm about dance?
Quinn:
The way I spread enthusiasm about dance is in my performance. If I’m really enjoying myself on stage, I am sure to let the audience know. I must find a way to make my character, mood and story true to me. To at least half of the audience, the technical steps don’t mean much. It’s all the in-betweens and the facial expressions that move people to experience this thing with you that words cannot describe. Then it can be a chain effect when they leave with that feeling you gave them, and they share what they experienced with others.
Starner:
I spread my enthusiasm about dance every time we have a show. I can feel the love for it pouring out of me. It’s the most special feeling.
