as told to Haley Hilton

At an outdoor performance space, a young female dancer in a purple leotard, white pancake tutu and pointe shoes does a flying saut de chat in front of trees.

What My Teacher Taught Me: Juilliard’s Kayla Mak on Francisco Gella

as told to Haley Hilton

In front of a gray backdrop, Ilaria Guerra does a stylized bridge pose in a shiny grayish-purple unitard. Her long dark curly hair is down, and as she uses her right arm and toes on forced arch for support, she twists toward the camera with her left arm crossing over her chest.

What My Teacher Taught Me: Alonzo King LINES Ballet’s Ilaria Guerra on Alicia Head, Maurya Kerr and Sandra Chinn

as told to Haley Hilton

On a wet sandy beach in front of a clear light blue sky, three male dancers in white pants dance together. The two closest to the camera mirror each other back to back, arching backward as they lunge back and rest on their right knees for support, chests turned up toward the sky.

What My Teacher Taught Me: Compagnie Hervé Koubi’s Houssni Mijem on Mehdi Ichar

as told to Haley Hilton

Skye Mattox poses dramatically in a spotlight against a tan wall. She wears a long sleeve black crop top, black briefs, black sheer tights and black dance heels. Her short brown hair is down and she looks at the camera intently as she does a passé parallel.

What My Teacher Taught Me: Broadway’s Skye Mattox on Chris Alloways-Ramsey

as told to Haley Hilton

Princess Reid poses in a low arabesque, arms lifted above her head and head turned upward confidently, in a multicolored long-sleeve leotard. Her long brown hair is down, and she dances on pointe in front of a rosy pink backdrop.

What My Teacher Taught Me: Joffrey Ballet’s Princess Reid on Laurie Picinich-Byrd

as told to Haley Hilton

What My Teacher Taught Me: Complexions Contemporary Ballet’s Tatiana Melendez on Houston Ballet Academy’s Sally Rojas

as told to Haley Hilton

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