Conversations with Megan, featuring Jock Soto, in honor of Maria Tallchief for

I’m honored to help #GoogleDoodles celebrate Maria Tallchief and Native American Heritage Month! I have had the privilege of dancing many of the same Balanchine ballets that she danced with New York City Ballet including the First Movement of Symphony in C as well as Sugar Plum in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker and Allegro Brillante (both of which she originated roles in). She was really America’s first ballerina and it’s incredible to look back and realize the gifts she left us with us in her collaborations with Mr. B. Every time I get to do a Balanchine ballet, the legacy of each role is palpable in the steps and while I never got to meet Maria personally, I can feel what a technical and special dancer she was from the ballets that we have shared.
In honor of Maria and Native American Heritage Month, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview another Native American NYCB dancer, Jock Soto, for my KZbin channel. We reminisced on his first meeting with Miss Tallchief, and he spoke of the importance of knowing someone of the same heritage. We delve into how he started ballet, first dancing with his family in their native dances, and then becoming obsessed with the world of ballet and finding his way to NY. We talk about his legendary partnerships with Heather Watts and Wendy Whelan, and how he became such an incredible partner.
Learn more about Maria Tallchief with @GoogleDoodles → bit.ly/35jb201
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[@squalter.kaufmann]

Honestly this is how we begin to know the depth of life’s beauty. Caring enough to mine down to the core. Megan, you say you’re only about technique, but your artistry shows us the sneaky psychologist and empathetic friend we ALL need.

[@kathymyers7279]

Omg what a great comment. Agree 💯

[@bettymaines6305]

What an amazing interview, and what an incredible attitude of humility from a ballet star - “I just want to disappear behind the ballerina so she can float.” And the irony is - In disappearing, it allows you to rise and shine with the brightest of the stars. What a privilege it was to hear this interview. I am both honored and blessed. Thank you .

[@deborahhigginbotham7276]

This is my favorite collaborated interview of this series. Jock Soto's innate gentleness and amazement of life show a beautiful inner self.

[@kathymyers7279]

I could listen to Megan interview dancers all day. One of the best things to come out of all this mess. Thankyou Megan Fairchild.

[@ningsun626]

This is probably the best interview I have seen…it s such honest , straight, humors and moving piece you have done , thank you Megan. I m just a amateur ballet student starting ballet 5 yrs ago at age 54, and happens to be interested in the ballet history from Classical to the very new styles. Jock is a beautiful dancer and best partner, not only coz his work ethic, but also his beautiful personality as a person. I was searching trying to find the ‘after the rain’ he did w Wendy but no luck. Any suggestion Megan? Thank you so very much again. I was so much drawn to your interview, I decided to skip my eve ballet class…

[@noahburke]

I love this interview! Jock Soto is one of my favorite NYCB dancers. He had such stage presence, he seemed to fill up the entire stage, even when he was alone. We used to be neighbors in the West Village (he doesn't know me) and I would see him once in a while at the Equinox gym and also at Genes. As for Maria Tallchief: I know her daughter, the fine poet Elise Paschen. If you like, I can post "The Week Before She Died," Elise's poem about her mother. Thank you for this fascinating interview! The anecdotes are terrific.

[@photographedemode]

So nice to hear this interview, I've admired him for years. The story of him being discriminated against in a store in New York City, that is incredible. Surprised he patronised the store, I would have made sure to boycott it.

[@agr1323]

Awesome! These really are the highlight of the day when you post them ☺️

[@kathyschmit7698]

That was so beautiful to watch. I am so happy to be so proud of this wonderfully talented indigenous beauty

[@griffinzoo]

Thank you for this! Love and blessings from Albuquerque, Jock!

[@okaminess]

Yá’át’ééh Jock! 🥰

[@marymohagheghi4875]

These interviews are wonderful.... thank you

[@judithricca6915]

Thank you Megan for this special interview with Jock, which led me to recall many special moments that he created on stage with both Heather & Wendy, moments that were as if the air was just sucked out of the theatre.

[@LChonie]

Oooh my goodness this was the interview I didn’t know I needed!! His career with Wendy was always fascinating to me and now I think I’m even more fascinated!! Thank you Megan and thank you Jock!! 😍😍😍

[@David-pt8ge]

This made me so happy.

[@edwardwillinger8438]

Having watched Jock Soto dance from his SAB Workshop days, I especially enjoyed this. And again, though it’s terrible we can’t see you onstage, it’s a pleasure to experience this other talent you have.

[@raquelcolon5785]

Loved loved this conversation. I got up this morning feeling so sad. I was in Times Square last night and walked down 46th Street. All those wonderful broadway shows all shut down. I was so sad. Didn’t want to hear or watch the news today. So getting this alert was exactly what I needed. Jock Soto, a legend in the ballet world. So glad to see he is doing well. When are you getting Wendy on? That is a must! Again; thank you for a wonderful hour!

[@susanpainter4815]

Megan and Jock, this was a beautiful, intriguing, charming conversation and so thrilling to have been able to watch and listen to. Thank you both, SO much. I feel like I want to back up in the corridor and curtsey to both of you.

[@sallyjdawg]

Love you guys ❤️💜🙏🙏

[@robrivax]

Great interview! Interesting to hear how Jock said he was doing his own thing at a certain point in his career and that Peter said yes to keep doing that. I remember the first show I ever saw Jock dance at the State Theater and I remember getting that feeling too, that Jock did his own thing, and what a beautiful thing it was. That individuality is just soo important. Cheers to Jock and to you Megan. Enjoyed this very much.

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

This was a great interview!!!

[@kristiLB93]

Ooooooooo! I look forward to hearing this one!

[@kimclarke5440]

Very cool! A privilege to listen in to your conversation!

[@bethanyscott-donelan1624]

Amazing! ♥️♥️

[@hollyhynes4674]

Love you guys.

[@paulinecheng3494]

Thank you for asking about After the Rain PDD! Wonderful to hear about a brilliant piece.

[@paulinecheng3494]

What fun and informative interview!

[@uptownsunni3560]

I love him! I followed his career for years. Such a beautiful dancer. So glad that Megan is interviewing him. And his stories about Mr B!!!

[@lakb45]

Megan, you are so wonderful at doing these interviews! You can of course find the personal connections, but you are able to zero into exactly where each person is in life and draw out just what they want to talk about, but you frame all that is said in such an interesting way!! I look so forward to seeing you dance Dewdrop (that’s the right role, I hope!) in the 2019 NYCBALLET Nutcracker that is going to stream in December! Until then, I shall absorb all your content I can find on KZbin. You have the perfect personality for this!!! 🌹💃🏻🌹👩🏻‍💻🌹

[@meganfairchild6135]

Thanks Laura! Yes I am doing Dewdrop in that Nutcracker performance! Enjoy!! And Happy Holidays!

[@lakb45]

Megan Fairchild Looking forward to seeing you as Dewdrop! When the world is finally back to normal, my goal is to see the NYC Ballet in person I believe that would be so thrilling!! Happy Holidays to you and your family, too!

[@2112jaf]

Go Jock!!!!!!!!!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@silviavalencia3804]

Bonjour, LOVED the interview ! I would like to learn more about Jock Soto, I found on the net a documentary was made in early 2000 "WATER FLOWING TOGETHER" anyone knows where I can watch it/ rent it ? Cheers from Paris

[@1psoas9]

Let me bump this up --i'd love to see thatdocumentary, too!

[@squalter.kaufmann]

Treasures! Treasures! 🌟💙🌟💙🌟

[@ef1024]

Hi Megan, I am in love with these interviews, I've watched some of them several times. they are all so inspiring and uplifting. Just an idea, I would love to be able to listen to them when I go for walks outside, so I dont know if you could release them as a podcast? Of course there would be many factors to consider and you know best. One idea would be to release them after, say 6 months have passed of them being on youtube? Thanks for all these interviews, you have a gift.

[@meganfairchild6135]

You could just play the youtube interview on your phone and then listen to the audio! My husband does this all the time. :)

[@alastrinalok1989]

I love all the interviews! I have a question about my pointe shoes. (I got my new pointe shoes about 3 months ago) My box for my toes are really tight and I tried squishing it and really using exercises to work it in but it never gets soft enough for me. What can I do?

[@meganfairchild6135]

Lots of student shoes are just super hard in the box. First of all make sure the fit is right, otherwise you can't break them in well as you go through demi pointe. Then for extra freedom in the box you can squish them in a door hinge, hold the door open, stick the box in the angle of the door, and as you close the door with your other hand, the box is getting broken in. (Hard to explain without a demonstration). And then otherwise try water or rubbing alcohol on the outside of the box while your shoes are on (just spritzes of either), and then do some good releves really working the demi pointe.

[@alastrinalok1989]

@@meganfairchild6135 Thank you this will help a lot and I understand the door demonstration! thank you and keep up the great content, stay safe!

[@6gorks]

I still have Jock Soto & Heather Watts cook book :) I would like to know why there is so little out there about Margaret Tracey. Would you ever consider that interview?

[@meganfairchild6135]

Oh what a great idea!!!

[@Ms.Opinionated]

Hey Megan, Make sure to check out Hot Chocolate Nutcracker on Netflix. Debbie Allen created it.

[@shaunasavala5494]

I have to hope he just caught Maria Tallchief at a bad time 😂 what an odd response!

[@meganfairchild6135]

I agree! Lol

[@kathymyers7279]

What’s to not like?!

[@imthatbishhh5152]

Misty Copeland isn’t Just A figure For Diversity. SHE IS THE PRIMA!!! Have Respect ✊🏿 Black Ballerina 🩰 ...