Bean (Lilith) Shindell started training in ballet at the age of one and a half at Dancers’ Workshop in Jackson, Wyoming. At the age of eleven Bean started privately training with Ahita Ardalan Bergman (Paris Opera Ballet). She has also attended various summer programs including Ballet West, The Academy of Dance Arts, and the Ballet Society of Colorado Springs. She has also had coaching from Maria Krowski (New York City Ballet). While training at Dancers’ Workshop Bean preformed in many productions including Cinderella, The Wizard of OZ, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Bean has performed many variations including the Woodland Fairy from Sleeping Beauty, Oddett’s Variation from Swan Lake, and the second variation from Walpurgisnacht. She has performed in The Nutcracker with both San Diego Ballet and Eugene Ballet. Bean has also gotten to perform in many amazing ballets during her time with the San Diego Ballet including Firebird, Les Sylphides, Joplin, Noche de Ronda, and many more. Bean is extremely excited to be starting her third season with the San Diego Ballet!
Who influenced you most to become the dancer you are today?
Ms. Ahita! Ahita Ardalan Bergman (Paris Opera Ballet) is my second mother, and she has defiantly influenced my dancing the most. She knows everything about the dance world, and she has helped me with everything from deciding on which summer program to attend, to coaching my variations, to telling me how my makeup should be for a performance. From the first master class that I took with Ms. Ahita when I was eleven there was an instant bond. Ms. Ahita has always helped me be my best, and every class I take from Ms. Ahita I leave a better dancer than when I walked in. Ms. Ahita has helped me in every way to accomplish my dream of being a professional ballet dancer. Without her I would not be the dancer or person that I am today.
What was the funniest episode(s) you’ve experienced in your career?
There are always little funny things happening at the studio, the theater, and during performances, especially while preforming a role that calls for more acting such as a party parent in the Nutcracker.
Who would you most like to share the stage with (living or dead)?
I would love to share the stage with Sylvie Guillem. Sylvie Guillem has spectacular technique and artistry. She has such amazing control over her body, and she makes every step look effortless. Her artistry is so natural, and she really tells the story with her emotions. I aspire to dance as flawlessly as Sylvie Guillem.
What goes through your mind just before you perform?
Right before I perform I think about all the corrections that I have received. Then I think about the character and the story that I am portraying. Lastly, I just relax and tell myself that I know what I’m doing.
What do you like/admire most about San Diego Ballet?
I love the repertoire. There is some of everything. In this day and age dancers need to be able to do everything, and San Diego Ballet is an example of a company that does it all and is amazing at it all!