It was not until I had graduated from college that I made a professional commitment to it. Frankly, I didn't think it wise. I was my own interior parental force, and it's very difficult to justify a profession as a…

Quote by Twyla Tharp

Topics: Twyla Tharp Quotes

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.

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...

Dance has never been a particularly easy life, and everybody knows that.

Dance has never been a particularly easy life, and everybody knows that.

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...

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...

I started formal piano training when I was 4. From there I had little violas,...

I started formal piano training when I was 4. From there I had little violas,...

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...

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,...

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

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

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...

I learned very early that an audience would relax and look at things differently if...

I learned very early that an audience would relax and look at things differently if...

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...

With each piece I've completed I have worked to make it intact, and each of...

With each piece I've completed I have worked to make it intact, and each of...

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 would have to challenge the term, modern dance. I don't really use that term...

I would have to challenge the term, modern dance. I don't really use that term...

The rewards of dancing are very different from choreographing.

The rewards of dancing are very different from choreographing.

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...

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 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.