Inner View with Angelica Generosa

Angelica Generosa is from South River, New Jersey. She studied on scholarship at the School of American Ballet and Princeton Ballet, and attended summer courses at the School of American Ballet, Chautauqua Summer Program, and New Jersey Ballet. She also studied with Gina Forcella in Sayreville, New Jersey. In 2011, Angelica joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice. She was promoted to corps de ballet in 2012, soloist in 2016 and principal in 2020.

Angelica was the recipient of the Youth American Grand Prix Regional Hope Award in 2005, and she was a YAGP New York finalist in 2007. She also was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae Wien Award for Outstanding Promise.

She has performed as a guest artist with the Vail International Dance Festival, American Academy Ballet, Chautauqua Alumni Dance Festival and an International Dance Gala in Asuncion del Paraguay. Some of the leading roles she has performed in her career include the principal role in George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, Princess Aurora in Ronald Hyde’s The Sleeping Beauty, William Forsythe’s The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, Tarantella, Sugar Plum Fairy in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker and Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit.

Fun, Sassy, and Supportive

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WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU OR WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
I find inspiration from my family and my love ones. But I mostly find inspiration from people who have a strong passion, dedication and motivation for whatever inspires them. I try to emulate that into my life/work. I love seeing the growth from learning those new things from people like that. It’s truly inspirational.

WHAT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Ahh that’s a hard question, ha ha ha. I don’t want to say my phone because social media is so overwhelming and makes me anxious at times, so I try not to go on it as much. But my phone is what let's me communicate with my love ones who live on the east coast, my fiancé (when we are not together and I miss him) and my friends from around the world. Especially during Covid, keeping those connections/relationships are really important to me because without them I’ll feel too incomplete.

WHEN ARE YOU MOST BALANCED AND HAPPY?
I’m still trying to figure out how to be both balanced and happy. I’ve learned those moments are very rare and short so when they happen I really appreciate them. But when I get that feeling it’s usually when I go with the flow with things and let the universe take it's course. Letting go is hard especially during this pandemic, but I’m learning that stressing on something that is out of your control is not worth over worrying and getting anxious about. That’s easier said than done for sure, but I’ve been trying to apply that in my life as much as I can and so far I’m really enjoying it.

HOW HAS YOUR TIME OVER THE LAST YEAR/COVID-19 QUARANTINE BEEN?  THOUGHTS?  DISCOVERIES?  PROJECTS?
Well, it’s been tough to say the least. I know everyone has been feeling that way for the past year. I’m a principal ballet dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, and I usually dance 41 weeks throughout the year. It was really hard when our season was cut in half. I had to figure out a schedule where I could keep maintaining my craft during long lay offs. So I did circuit workouts at home and danced at home as well. I’m the type of person who likes to keep it going throughout the year with gigs and projects for dancing, but with lack of work and intense protocols, during those long layoffs allowed me to spend time to actually recuperate. I think my body was thanking me a lot for sitting on the couch and finally letting myself rest. I’ve connected with a lot of people over zoom and taught some classes which was so inspiring to see. I’ve re-connected with my long distance friends and caught up with life. During the time of quarantine it opened doors for projects to support the arts and I got to meet different artist around the world. I’ve also learned a lot about myself and learned the meaning of self love, which I’m slowly applying to my daily routine.

IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
I want to travel everywhere! I would love to either go back to Europe, Italy or Paris. I also love the sun! Hawaii is always my go to place for that.

FAVORITE ITEM IN THE STORE?
Now that's an unfair question, especially when I love it all!  I’m going to say two favorite things because I can’t pick one. I love the fragrances. I just love fragrances in general because it takes you to a place or it brings back feelings of nostalgia. I love the scent Isle of May that you made.  I also love jewelry/ accessories. Anything that sparkles is my kryptonite. Also jewelry/accessories can easily spice up an outfit and make it unique, which is my favorite.

YEARS FROM NOW YOU WILL BE...?
Hmm years from now… my career had to be planned out and thought out at a very young age. I had to be committed and dedicated to it when at 14 I decided to strictly train to be a ballerina. It was a lot of sacrifice and a lot of love to get where I am now to actually call myself that. I am so grateful to be where I am right now. But for my next chapter I’m looking forward to being married and living our lives together, being healthy and stronger from this pandemic, and I can’t wait for what the universe could offer next.

Don't miss the companion Inner View with Caleb Franklin, READ HERE!