Q&A with Retiring Atlanta Ballet Dancer Abi Tan-Gamino

Who says retirement is for the elderly?

Q&A with 30-year-old Atlanta Ballet Dancer Abi Tan-Gamino

Atlanta Ballet Dancer Abigail Tan-Gamino has greater plans in store after almost 20 years of professional dancing.

Although Atlanta Ballet company dancer Abigail Tan-Gamino is retiring after 17 years of professional ballet dancing, her rich career is nowhere close to ending. Learn more about Abi’s future plans and her performance this weekend in Atlanta Ballet’s MAYhem in her Q&A below.

About Abi Tan-Gamino:

Abigail was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. She started to dance professionally with Philippine Ballet Theatre at age 14. With PBT, she danced lead roles in Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Giselle, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Madame Butterfly, La Bayadère, Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Who Cares?, Serenade and Concerto Barocco. In 2009, she danced with American Repertory Ballet in New Jersey under the direction of Graham Lustig. After one season, she was blessed to dance with Atlanta Ballet, where she performed works by Twyla Tharp, John McFall, Val Caniparoli, Helen Pickett, Gina Patterson, Amy Seiwart, Juel Lane, Jorden Morris, Christopher Wheeldon and Ohad Naharin. She graduated with a BA in Communication Arts from Angelicum College. She recently married fellow artist Pedro, and together they have a four-legged daughter named Hazel.

Which performances of MAYhem will you be a part of this weekend? What is your role and what does it mean to you?

 I’m going to be a part of “THREE,” which is artistic director John McFall’s piece. In this ballet, I’m going to be one of the “collective.” It’s sort of a subconscious of his three “dreamers.” It’s fascinating working with John, because he told us the story of the ballet at the beginning, and every time we meet it changes! As usual, we just go with the flow of what the choreographer wants, and it’s really up to the audience to decide what the piece means to them. It’s not very literal. The “collective” dancers are almost a completely different part of the dancing, but I don’t want to give too much away!

What inspired you to move on to the next chapter of your life?

I’ve honestly been battling myself about this topic in my head for years, because whenever I talk to my friends back in the Philippines, they all already have kids and are starting families. The main reason I came to the U.S. was because I was getting bored in the Philippines. There I danced a lot of classical ballets, and I thought that if I can go to the States and be a part of other companies, I would be able to experience more contemporary dance. I really did! I spent one year at ARB [American Repertory Ballet] in New Jersey and four years here. When I got the feel of things and experienced dancing here, I thought that I was ready to live my life and move ahead.

I started counting how long I’ve been dancing professionally, and it’s been for 17 years already! I think that’s why I’m okay with moving on because  I’m already really happy with what I’ve accomplished. Even back in the Philippines I used to teach ballet, and I still want to be in the studio and I still want to take classes, but I don’t know if I want to rehearse six hours a day. It’s a full time job!

Hopefully, if everything works out well, my goal is to have a family in the near future. I’m kind of nervous about waiting to have a baby, because I’m already 30. It’s important to me to have time to become a mother and have a healthy baby with no pressure.

What is the next step you plan on taking? Is it dance-related?

I’m actually going to be teaching classes here at Atlanta Ballet in the school. I’m very excited, and I’ve actually already started teaching conservatory classes on Monday mornings. It’s so nice to see the students and share my experiences with them like dancing different parts and how I felt through each of those, and how to express themselves. Teaching will also give me a lot more flexibility to stay home and take care of a family.

What have you learned during your time with AB?

I’ve learned a lot about the other dancers, and there is a lot of camaraderie here. For example, when we’re rehearsing for THREE, we try to act as one. We have to communicate and help each other even with small things like what direction your fingers must go in. We all have to remind each other how it is supposed to go! It’s just small details like this that really help. If a dancer says they are uncomfortable with something, we have to be understanding of that. I’ve learned a lot about sharing feelings and understanding the other dancers, I think. Like in marriage, you can’t say, ‘Me, me, me!’ It has to be about everyone. I like that we all are friends inside and outside the studio, which doesn’t really happen much in other companies. I think that’s why we work so well as a group, too.

What will you miss most? Least?

My friendship with the other dancers is the main reason I want to continue teaching here. I told John McFall that I don’t want to cut myself off from the Ballet because I’m really going to miss all of these people! I still want to be in the building with them and still be able to talk to them and hear their rehearsal stories. Yesterday everyone kept reminding me that was my last day in the studio, and they were all very sad, but it hasn’t really hit me yet.  I’m pretty sure once the season’s over, I’m going to enjoy the relaxation, but I almost feel like it’s not real yet. There will definitely come a point where I’ll miss it, but I think I’m leaving on a good note and I have made really great friends. I have nothing to regret.

What has been your favorite moment in your four years with Atlanta Ballet?

My favorite moment was when Pedro proposed to me on stage in “The Nutcracker.” He surprised me, but I think everyone else knew about it. I don’t know how they kept the secret for that long without me finding out!

As far as roles go, I think the favorite ones I’ve played have been the Snow Queen and the Dew Drop fairy in “The Nutcracker,” but my favorite ballet is “Seven Sonatas.” It’s very technical, and not every dancer can do it, so I think it’s very special and I’m really thankful to have been able to do that before I leave. I would have definitely regretted not staying if they chose to wait until next year to perform it, it’s a beautiful ballet.

See Abi in MAYhem this weekend only. For tickets or more information, visit www.atlantaballet.com.

Friday, May 16 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 17 – 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 17 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 18 – 2 p.m.