Mexican dancer, Elizabeth Tapia, joined San Diego Ballet in March 2022 as trainee, later that year, she joined the company as a core member. She has performed corps de ballet in Giselle, Romeo et Juliet, The Nutcracker, Opus Swing, Que Bonito Amor, Stabat Mater.
Sleeping Beauty and The Jungle Book. Soloist roles in SDB includes Viva Vilvadi: Vivaldi ́s Four Seasons. Graduated from La Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey (ESMDM), Elizabeth has guested with Ballet de Monterrey, under the artistic direction of José Manuel Carreño; performing in their 2018 spring season as core member in Swan Lake and La Fille Mal Gardee, and their 2018 Summer tour to Spain with Bayadere and Swan Lake. She has also been a guest artist with The Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago as Snow Queen in their 2019 Nutcracker season.
Along her career, Elizabeth Tapia has performed roles as Paquita, Nikiya from Bayadere, Odette from Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, and soloist roles in The Nutcracker. Also, some of her neoclassical repertoire includes Inefable and Duende, choreographed by Diego Landin. Lastly, Elizabeth has been part of different galas and professional workshops such as: Monterrey International Ballet Gala, International Dance Festival in Córdoba, Monterrey International Ballet Competition and Gala de Danza México, produced by Christina Lyon and directed by Irina Dvorovenko and Maxim Beloserkovsky.
- What ignited your passion for dance?
My two older siblings used to take ballet and jazz class in the Cultural Center of Tecate, Baja California; I used to stay and watch them dance every afternoon. At only three years old, I was put in The Nutcracker production as a little kid in the Party scene, and ever since, I fell in love with dance.
2. What inspired you to pursue a professional career in dance?
When I realized that being on stage and being vulnerable in front of an audience, was so nurturing and a beautiful grounding experience for me. Also the feeling of being connected to the public and making someone else feel the emotions I try to transmit was my inspiration to pursue this career.
3. What is your favorite thing about being a dancer?
That my body, my mind and my soul are always in tune and connected, kind of in a meditative way; which helps me balance the artistic and emotional part with the technical way of dance.
4. What is your biggest dream for your dance career?
To be a soloist and to dance for as many years as my body would let me.
5. When you’re not pirouetting and perfecting your pliés, what brings you joy?
I love to read and keep educating myself, I also enjoy studying psychology, which is a way for me to understand the emotion behind my art, but most importantly, spending time with my family; if it weren ́t for them, I wouldn ́t be the dancer and the person I am today.
6. What is the most transformative experience you’ve had as a dancer?
Being invited to perform as a guest artist with Ballet de Monterrey, when I was still studying my Classical Dance Bachelor Degree in 7th grade. Getting to debut Bayadere in a Spanish theater with amazing dancers and coaches, has been one the most incredible experiences for me.
7. What is your favorite ballet?
The Bayadere, especially the fight scene with Nikiya and Gamzatti.
8. What is your favorite role you have performed at San Diego Ballet and what is a role you would like to perform in the future?
My favorite role that I have performed is one of the Fall Season ́s solo in Viva Vivald. I would really love to perform Kaa from The Jungle Book.
9. What is your favorite local spot in San Diego?
Torrey Pines.