Exclusive Interview, by Lekha Shankar
The lead-dancer of the famed Geneva Ballet Company’s production of the mythical love-drama ‘Tristan and Isolde’ at the International Festival of Dance & Music, is Thai-born SARAWANEE TANATANIT. An outstanding ballet dancer who has won scholarships, competitions, awards in Thailand, Canada,Europe, US, the petite dancer worked with the famed American Ballet Company in New York for eight years, before moving to the Geneva Ballet Company where she’s now completed eight years. She has played the lead in many of their classic dramas-including Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, and now, Tristan and Isolde.
Soon after moving to Canada, at the age of thirteen, Sarawanee was awarded the Royal Academy of Dancing Solo Seal, which was the start of her phenomenal dance career. In 2003, she won the prestigious ‘Critic Choice’ award of the American ‘Point’ Magazine.
In 2008 she was named one of Dance Magazine’s ‘Top 25 to Watch’.
In 2015, a documentary on Sarawanee Tanatanit’s life, was aired on the popular ‘Thai DNA’ program.
What’s interesting to note, is that the dancer kept in touch with her Thai roots, performing the Rama Kien at the Lincoln Center Festival in New York, and also partaking in thePatravadi Festival at Bangkok.
The much-awarded ballet dancer declared that it was her proudest moment to play the lead in a top ballet-drama, in her homeland, which was she was so excited by this performance of Tristan and Isolde, at the Thailand Cultural Centre, on Saturday 24 September.
The lead-dancer of the famed Geneva Ballet Company’s production of the mythical love-drama ‘Tristan and Isolde’ at the International Festival of Dance & Music, is Thai-born SARAWANEE TANATANIT. An outstanding ballet dancer who has won scholarships, competitions, awards in Thailand, Canada,Europe, US, the petite dancer worked with the famed American Ballet Company in New York for eight years, before moving to the Geneva Ballet Company where she’s now completed eight years. She has played the lead in many of their classic dramas-including Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, and now, Tristan and Isolde.
Soon after moving to Canada, at the age of thirteen, Sarawanee was awarded the Royal Academy of Dancing Solo Seal, which was the start of her phenomenal dance career. In 2003, she won the prestigious ‘Critic Choice’ award of the American ‘Point’ Magazine.
In 2008 she was named one of Dance Magazine’s ‘Top 25 to Watch’.
In 2015, a documentary on Sarawanee Tanatanit’s life, was aired on the popular ‘Thai DNA’ program.
What’s interesting to note, is that the dancer kept in touch with her Thai roots, performing the Rama Kien at the Lincoln Center Festival in New York, and also partaking in thePatravadi Festival at Bangkok.
The much-awarded ballet dancer declared that it was her proudest moment to play the lead in a top ballet-drama, in her homeland, which was she was so excited by this performance of Tristan and Isolde, at the Thailand Cultural Centre, on Saturday 24 September.
Photo credit: Gregory Batardon
Excerpts from an email interview:
Did you have your early dance-training in Bangkok?
I wanted to take dance classes like every other kid, and joined the Kanjana Ballet School and the Vararom Dance Centre
Did you then train in gymnastics?
Yes, I moved to rhythmic gymnastics and under the training of my coach ‘BB’, I was soon in the National team of Thailand. I partook in the SE Asian Games at Chiangmai, where I won a Gold medal. I was also the winner of the Thailand Junior Rhythmic Gymnastic Championship.After that , I was awarded a scholarship from the Sports Authoity of Thailand to go to Vancouver in Canada and have further training in rhythmic gymnastics .
Was it in Canada that you started your dance training?
Yes, I joined the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver.After that, I partook in many competitions in Europe, won awards, and then got an apprentice scholarship to the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in New York City. The following year, I joined the main company and worked for seven years as a professional ballet dancer in that amazing company.
You lived in many countries- how different were the experiences?
Every country is different, in terms of people, culture, environment, work-philosophy, language and lifestyle. And I had to adapt myself all the time. It was not easy, but I worked hard in every country.
How special is Switzerland, after living in so many countries?
My dance career is very secure in Switzerland. We are all well taken care off, in terms of health and fitness. Another thing I love about the Geneva Ballet Company, is that we tour a lot! I also love the Swiss countryside and the Swiss lifestyle-it’s a wonderful place to live in.
Did you have your early dance-training in Bangkok?
I wanted to take dance classes like every other kid, and joined the Kanjana Ballet School and the Vararom Dance Centre
Did you then train in gymnastics?
Yes, I moved to rhythmic gymnastics and under the training of my coach ‘BB’, I was soon in the National team of Thailand. I partook in the SE Asian Games at Chiangmai, where I won a Gold medal. I was also the winner of the Thailand Junior Rhythmic Gymnastic Championship.After that , I was awarded a scholarship from the Sports Authoity of Thailand to go to Vancouver in Canada and have further training in rhythmic gymnastics .
Was it in Canada that you started your dance training?
Yes, I joined the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver.After that, I partook in many competitions in Europe, won awards, and then got an apprentice scholarship to the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in New York City. The following year, I joined the main company and worked for seven years as a professional ballet dancer in that amazing company.
You lived in many countries- how different were the experiences?
Every country is different, in terms of people, culture, environment, work-philosophy, language and lifestyle. And I had to adapt myself all the time. It was not easy, but I worked hard in every country.
How special is Switzerland, after living in so many countries?
My dance career is very secure in Switzerland. We are all well taken care off, in terms of health and fitness. Another thing I love about the Geneva Ballet Company, is that we tour a lot! I also love the Swiss countryside and the Swiss lifestyle-it’s a wonderful place to live in.
 Photo credit: Gregory Batardon | How special is it for you to play the lead, in a ballet that's performing in Bangkok? It’s a dream come true, for me-! How exciting is it to play the lead in ‘Tristan & Isolde’? I’ve been playing the lead, ever since this production started two years back. For me, the excitement lay in working with Director Joelle Bouvier, who is so passionate about her ideas and her vision. I learned a lot from her, and evolved tremendously during the process. What advice would you give young Thai ballet-dancers who want to make it big? I believe in discipline and lots of hard work. It’s not easy to become a top professional dancer, because Dance is very physical, and you have to be very passionate and creative to keep alive in what you do. |
Is it easy for Asians to make it big, in the West, like you have done?
It’s not easy, but there are many Asian artists out there, doing well, including Thais. Speaking for myself, I think I had a really good training and working attitude, since I trained for rhythmic gymnastics. Luckily, I was exposed to performing arts since I was young, and was given a lot of support from my family I am proud to be here today as an artist expressing my own thoughts and able to use my passion, to communicate with people. However, I still believe that there’s a lot more for me to learn.
What do you miss most about Bangkok/Thailand, when you live abroad?
My family, and my Thai food.
What are your future plans?
This will be my last season with the Geneva Ballet, because I want to have the flexibility to work both in Europe and Thailand. I want to continue working in Europe, which is so rich in the performing arts. But I also want to do projects in Thailand, and develop the dance-scene here.
‘TRISTAN AND ISOLDE’ where SARAWANEE TANATANIT plays the lead, will be performed at the Thailand Cultural Centre (Main Hall), on Thursday 24 September, at 7-30 pm.
For more information, visit:
www.bangkokfestivals.com
www.thaiticketmaster.com
It’s not easy, but there are many Asian artists out there, doing well, including Thais. Speaking for myself, I think I had a really good training and working attitude, since I trained for rhythmic gymnastics. Luckily, I was exposed to performing arts since I was young, and was given a lot of support from my family I am proud to be here today as an artist expressing my own thoughts and able to use my passion, to communicate with people. However, I still believe that there’s a lot more for me to learn.
What do you miss most about Bangkok/Thailand, when you live abroad?
My family, and my Thai food.
What are your future plans?
This will be my last season with the Geneva Ballet, because I want to have the flexibility to work both in Europe and Thailand. I want to continue working in Europe, which is so rich in the performing arts. But I also want to do projects in Thailand, and develop the dance-scene here.
‘TRISTAN AND ISOLDE’ where SARAWANEE TANATANIT plays the lead, will be performed at the Thailand Cultural Centre (Main Hall), on Thursday 24 September, at 7-30 pm.
For more information, visit:
www.bangkokfestivals.com
www.thaiticketmaster.com
Photo credit: Gregory Batardon
