Paloma Herrera

On December 21st, 1975, the world was graced with one of the most spectacular feet to ever dance. Her name is Paloma Herrera and she is the best ballerina I have ever seen.

Paloma had seen the world before the age 16. She has danced all over the world. Born in Argentina, then danced in South America, Russia, London and then New York. In New York she stayed when she entered the ABT (American Ballet Theatre). Now ten years later at 26 years old, she is principal dancer.

In the Company, she has danced as Mathilda Kchessinska in Anastasia, Polyhymnia in Apollo, Gamzatti and Nikiya in La Bayadère, the title role in Cinderella, Swanilda in Coppélia, Medora and Gulnare in Le Corsaire, the pas de deux Diana and Acteon, Kitri in Don Quixote, the first girl in Fancy Free, Valencienne in The Merry Widow, the Sugar Plum Fairy in Kevin McKenzie's new staging of The Nutcracker, Act II, Cerrito in Pas des Déesses, the Siren in Prodigal Son, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Coupava in The Snow Maiden, Odette-Odile in Swan Lake, the Waltz in Les Sylphides, the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, and leading roles in Americans We, Ballet Imperial, Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, Études, Paquita, Sinfonietta, Stepping Stones, Symphonie Concertante and Theme and Variatons.

What inspires me about Paloma is she's not the typical ballerina. She's very muscular and filled in. It's apparent that it doesn't take away from her dancing because she has an amazing vibe that won't let you stop looking at her.