Voice of Rhythm with Sandip Soparrkar
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When the Soul Wants to Dance
An accomplished American ballet dancer, Silken Kelly is also an accomplished choreographer and performer from Denver, Colorado, whose training began at the Academy of Colorado Ballet and continued at the Houston Ballet Academy. She received full scholarships to prestigious programmes at the School of American Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Ballet West. Her professional career has included performances with Houston Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Cleveland Ballet, and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, as well as international tours with Rock the Ballet. She is also the founder of Contingent Ballet, through which she has explored choreography, dance films, and independent performance. In 2025, Kelly was promoted to Principal with Golden State Ballet, where her artistry, musicality, and stage presence have been recognised in productions including The Nutcracker and Cinderella. Photo credits: Samantha Zauscher, Pratik Naik, and Francisco Estevez. Excerpts from the interview:
How did your ballet journey begin?
My journey began like most people’s. I started taking ballet classes at a young age, beginning at four. It was something I loved doing as a child, and as I matured, I came to realise that this was what I was meant to do as a career.
What made you pursue ballet professionally? Also, tell us about your most cherished show and why.
For me, there was never really any other option for my future than ballet. It was all I ever knew, so it was a no-brainer to pursue ballet professionally and make a career out of it. I will say that it is actually impossible for me to pick just one performance in my career as my most cherished. With every new project I take on or every ballet I work on, it becomes the new “favourite” of mine. Every time I step on stage to share my art is a gift.
What challenges do you face as a ballet dancer?
I face many challenges, as do a lot of ballet dancers. I will say that it can be very difficult to find a place where you fit in. I believe there is a place for every single dancer who wants to make a career out of it, but it takes time and perseverance to find the right environment for you. Another challenge is injury. Ballet dancers are athletes, and this art form takes a toll on the body. I am currently rehabbing from my second surgery in my career, so I am no stranger to maintaining the health and wellness of my vessel.
They say the career of a ballet dancer is very short. What do you say about it?
It is true that, in the grand scheme of life, a career in ballet is fleeting. That is what can make it so special and make you really appreciate each day because there will come a point when the body can’t do it anymore. Ballet shapes you as a human being, not just physically, and teaches you so many things that you can carry with you into whatever endeavour you choose after your performing career has come to a close.
Have you seen Indian dance as part of Indian culture? What do you have to say about comparing ballet with Indian dance?
I have not seen any authentic Indian dance performances in person, only through the internet. But my favourite ballet, La Bayadère, is based on Indian stories and incorporates some Indian dance movements. However, the ballet’s choreography is rooted entirely in classical ballet.
In India, ballet is still growing. What advice do you have for young dancers?
Like Indian classical dance, ballet also takes years of training to master. My advice would be to keep showing up! If you are truly interested in ballet, all you need to do is keep showing up to classes every day, focus on the small improvements you can make, and stay curious. Ballet requires you to be passionate and driven. Your soul should want to dance ballet; only then will your body follow.
What is the most important thing a ballet dancer needs to keep in mind if they want to make a career in ballet?
One of the big things I would say is that life in ballet is rarely linear. There will be times when you question everything, and it can be hard to look at the bigger picture. I have received many rejections in my ballet career, yet those only served as redirections to where I was meant to end up. As a young dancer, I hope you can focus on how you relate to the art form and not get too caught up in negative things that you cannot control. Ballet is incredibly hard as it is, so try not to let that get you down.
Ballet is a woman-dominated industry. What advice do you have for male ballet dancers?
I would actually say that ballet is still a male-dominated industry, meaning the majority of ballet companies are led by men. But it is harder for women to get contracts, as there still seem to be more women interested in becoming ballet dancers than men. To the men, you do not know what you are missing by not trying the world of ballet! It can take you to many amazing places.
