Just in time for Christmas, New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Tiler Peck released her new book, XO Ballerina Big Sis. This book is filled with advice and encouragement for young aspiring ballet dancers. Written in a conversational tone with illustrations, this book feels like a big hug from your big sis. Peck hopes this book is a tool that dancers can turn to whenever they need some guidance.
Between her busy schedule of rehearsals, performances, dancewear design with Só Dança, and book signings, Dance Informa caught up with Peck to talk about the heart behind her book.
While sharing advice for her followers on her Instagram page, she noticed how personal and connected the comments were. “A ballet fan reached out and said, ‘I think there’s a book here with your XO Ballerina Big Sis posts,'” Peck recalls. That’s when she began writing. To make the book more personal, she shared that during the writing process, “I recorded myself speaking parts of it out loud so it would sound real and honest like I do on Instagram.”
Peck shares that the inspiration came from her own big sister and the comfort and support of having someone there for you. “My sister and I are so close, and I always had her to look up to as a role model,” she explains. “It really means a lot that I can try to be the big sis that the next generation of dancers didn’t know they needed.”
Her sister wasn’t a dancer, but her mother was and she grew up teaching at her mother’s studio, which she feels led to her natural mentor personality. “It just felt like I had so much to share and I don’t want to keep it in. I want to make sure that I can pass it on and help the next dancer.”
An example of lessons that she wanted to pass on is what she learned from her first ballet teacher in California. Peck was taught “to come to class with nails painted light pink because it would make me more aware of how I carried myself.” It’s a small detail, but Peck shares that she still does it to this day. This and many other stories are woven throughout XO Ballerina Big Sis.
Another reason for writing her book is that not everyone “comes from dance families, so when you’re starting out, it can feel lonely. The kids show up to class, and maybe they’re standing next to somebody who has it all kind of figured out. And I just didn’t want them to feel like they were alone. I wanted them to feel like I could kind of like hold their hand through figuring it out.”
From mentioning what’s in her bag to her favorite bag (Só Dança Cali Backpack), and favorite leotards, Peck shares all her knowledge with her readers. Dance Informa chatted with Helena Hines, COO of Só Dança, to hear what she had to say.
“Tiler has always been such a genuine voice in the dance world,” Hines says. “What makes XO Ballerina Big Sis so special is how she turns that same warmth and wisdom she shares on stage and in person into words that uplift young dancers everywhere. Her partnership with Só Dança has always been rooted in authenticity and inspiration, and we’re incredibly proud to see her continue to empower the next generation, both through her artistry and through this beautiful book.”
Peck finished our talk by mentioning how important her readers are to her. “I’ve met so many little ones on my book tour who told me it’s helped them,” she says. “It’s been the best experience. I remember all their little names.” She went on to say that her favorite part “has always been the readers. Meeting them, answering their questions, pointing them to a chapter they need, that’s what it’s all about for me.”
You can find Tiler Peck’s XO Ballerina Big Sis at your local book retailers and online.
By Abby DeReamer of Dance Informa.
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