Before Francesca Harper became a teacher or the artistic director of her company, The Francesca Harper Project, she was gleaning all she could from her own instructors. With Gabriela Darvash, for instance, Harper discovered that a scientific approach to ballet resonated well with her.

“She was really into breaking down and analyzing technique. She talked about centrifugal force during turns, giving us science lessons as we worked. It was always exciting to work with her. She got me involved on an intellectual level.” 

Harper is currently starring in a one-woman show at the Susan Batson Studio, May 16-19, called The Look of Feeling. The production details the life of her late mother, former Ailey School director Denise Jefferson.