I started formal piano training when I was 4. From there I had little violas, and I had dancing lessons of every sort and description, and painting lessons. I had German. And shorthand.

Quote by Twyla Tharp

Topics: Twyla Tharp Quotes

In terms of individuals who actually inspired me, very few of the academic people that...

In terms of individuals who actually inspired me, very few of the academic people that...

My mother was a dominant force in my life. She had a very specific idea...

My mother was a dominant force in my life. She had a very specific idea...

In those days, male dancers were a rarer breed than women. as they are still...

In those days, male dancers were a rarer breed than women. as they are still...

There's this expression called postmodernism, which is kind of silly, and destroys a perfectly good...

There's this expression called postmodernism, which is kind of silly, and destroys a perfectly good...

I often say that in making dances I can make a world where I think...

I often say that in making dances I can make a world where I think...

The only thing I fear more than change is no change. The business of being...

The only thing I fear more than change is no change. The business of being...

I thought I had to make an impact on history. I had to become the...

I thought I had to make an impact on history. I had to become the...

I don't mean this, but I'm going to say it anyway. I don't really think...

I don't mean this, but I'm going to say it anyway. I don't really think...

I'm not one who divides music, dance or art into various categories. Either something works,...

I'm not one who divides music, dance or art into various categories. Either something works,...

I was privileged to be able to study a year with Martha Graham, the last...

I was privileged to be able to study a year with Martha Graham, the last...

Optimism with some experience behind it is much more energizing than plain old experience with...

Optimism with some experience behind it is much more energizing than plain old experience with...

I think that anyone who's pushed to do the very best that they can is...

I think that anyone who's pushed to do the very best that they can is...

The rewards of dancing are very different from choreographing.

The rewards of dancing are very different from choreographing.

Any comic is a tragic soul. Comedy is one of the things that allows one...

Any comic is a tragic soul. Comedy is one of the things that allows one...

The necessity to constantly turn in an excellent performance, to be absolutely wedded to this...

The necessity to constantly turn in an excellent performance, to be absolutely wedded to this...

I have the wherewithal to challenge myself for my entire life. That's a great gift.

I have the wherewithal to challenge myself for my entire life. That's a great gift.

I never studied with Balanchine, but his work was very important to me.

I never studied with Balanchine, but his work was very important to me.

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.

I wash my hands of those who imagine chattering to be knowledge, silence to be...

I wash my hands of those who imagine chattering to be knowledge, silence to be...

What moves those of genius, what inspires their work is not new ideas, but their...

What moves those of genius, what inspires their work is not new ideas, but their...

Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.

Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.