Gabriel Warren traveled from Eugene, Oregon to San Francisco to attend our Junior Summer Program in 2022 and returned to dance in our Advanced Program in 2023. Joining students from around the country, he trained for three weeks with our esteemed guest artists and faculty, many who are former LINES Ballet company dancers. A standout in the program, Gabriel received a scholarship that the director and faculty award annually to one student that exhibits the qualities LINES values—courage, curiosity, work ethic, and kindness.
Learn about Gabriel’s time at LINES before our 2024 Summer Program Auditions begin, from the camaraderie he experienced to the best piece of advice he received and what he learned when he was completely exhausted.
Interested in attending our Summer Program in 2024, or know someone who might be? Find out more information about our upcoming auditions and application details on our Summer Program Audition Page.
Interview by Erin McKay
How did the LINES Summer Programs challenge you?
The LINES Summer Program challenged my stamina the most. I’m not used to dancing rigorously for six hours a day, Monday through Saturday. There comes a point where you think you can’t take it anymore. You want to sit down, rest your body, and release it from the struggle you’re putting it through. However, I found that this point of extreme exhaustion is where I grew the most. I was hyper-aware of my body, able to feel every inch of muscle, skin, and bone. I felt connected to my movement in a way I never felt before; it was wonderful.
Why did you want to return to LINES’ Summer Program for a second year?
In my hometown, I am one of the only dancers with the goal of advancing to a professional level. It can feel isolating when I have no one else to relate to. But in the LINES Junior Program, I found that the majority of the students wanted to be professional dancers too. Being able to talk about our journey ahead and relate to one another motivated me to work harder to achieve my goal. I came back for LINES’ Advanced Summer Program in 2023 to reconnect with this community of hard-working students; I wanted to push my body to its limit alongside others who were hungry for that same level of vigor.
Gabriel Warren with fellow LINES Advanced Summer Program students smiling together at LINES Dance Center
Could you apply the information you learned at LINES to the training at your home studio?
My training at LINES helped me reframe my relationship with ballet. In my hometown, I dance at two studios. One is a modern/contemporary school (Flex Studios), and the other is a classical ballet school (Eugene Ballet). I have always been drawn to the freedom of modern and contemporary movement. Ballet felt more like a rigid cage that restricted my artistry. Now, after LINES, I see classical ballet as a framework for me to build off of. Ballet is like a trellis that I can use to grow the vines of my artistry, stretching the boundaries of ballet just shy of breaking them.
How was your experience performing in the Advanced Showcase?
LINES’ Advanced Showcase stood out from all the other shows I have performed in. The sense of community was paramount as we all sat in the audience, watching our fellow dancers rehearse and cheering on their hard work. I was inspired by my peers’ movement in a way that is hard to get when watching a teacher dance. I also gained insight into each choreographer’s creative process, observing how they pieced things together, how the music inspired their movement, and how their choreography varied.
What was the most impactful piece of advice or wisdom you received in the program?
As a future choreographer, I am always looking for opportunities to learn more about this skill. In rehearsal, Robert Moses shared a motto for his creative process: “The movement is the canvas.” He choreographs more than enough movement, creating a block of clay to sculpt from. He then carves away at the choreography, finding which bits to use and revealing the statue within.
Did you have any fun experiences in San Francisco during the program?
One Sunday everyone in the dorms took a trip to Fisherman’s Wharf. We also visited Ghirardelli Square, looked over the water at Alcatraz, and shopped at some local booths that were set up along the water.
Did you experience any homesickness? If so, how did you manage it?
I was surprised to find that I did not experience any homesickness. However, for the first week, I had a hard time adjusting to dorm life. I love talking with others, however, I need time to myself in order to recharge my social battery. With the dorm experience, it’s hard to find that time. Throughout the second week though, I fell into a pattern where I found that quiet space. Once I had that, the LINES experience was a world of joy.
What are your dreams for the future? Do you feel like LINES’ Summer Program helped you take steps toward those dreams?
My dream for the future is to get a BFA in dance and find a place in a modern dance company, and LINES tremendously helped me take steps toward my goal. LINES’ Summer Program elevated the technical side of my dancing, worked my stamina, taught me how to quickly pick up choreography, and trained my brain to focus on the tiniest of details.
I was also exposed to many different styles and techniques throughout the program. I always enjoyed Victor Talledos’ Horton class, and the foundational movement we practiced with him transferred to my training back home in numerous ways. Furthermore, I was exposed to the GYROTONIC® Method, a cross training method that targets specific areas in the body that need strength. This helped me gain more mobility in my body along with the strength I needed to support my movement.
Additionally, I made connections with the faculty and other dancers that will last my entire career. These relationships will help me navigate the dance world, connecting me to jobs, training centers, and other dance opportunities.
Gabriel Warren dancing in a studio at LINES Dance Center
Why do you dance today? Has the reason changed since you started?
For my entire life, I’ve always been pulled towards the arts. Expressing my thoughts through movement is a deep joy that fulfills my soul. Even though I knew I wanted to dance at age four, I didn’t have the words yet to describe the nuance behind my love of movement. That deep love is still the core reason why I devote my life to dance. Though, now that I’m older, I see dance as not only an art for myself, but as an art that can help the world. For centuries, art was a catalyst for change and an outlet to express ideas. It’s my goal to take part in this long history.
Summer Program Auditions
AUDITIONS for our 2024 Summer Program begin in January for aspiring artists ages 11–25! Rooted in the philosophies of Alonzo King, our programs guide students on a collaborative journey that values risk-taking, creative power, and independent thinking. We’re hosting a virtual audition along with in-person auditions and workshops in select cities around the country. We’re also accepting video submissions.
Photography: Alonzo King LINES Ballet | Summer Program | Dancer: Rhapsody Stiggers | © Doug Kaye
BFA and Training Program Auditions
Dancers interested in our Pre-Professional Summer Program may also be interested in our other education programs. We offer a 4-year academic track through the LINES Ballet BFA Program at Dominican University of California, as well as a 2-year robust, full-time program with LINES Ballet’s Training Program. Each of these transformative pre-professional programs other a variety of audition opportunities and have specific application requirements.
Photography: Alonzo King LINES Ballet | Training Program | © Eric Raeber
We also welcome registrations for the Winter Season of Training Ground—our season-based program parallel to the Training Program that is ideal for those who want a shorter time commitment and a more flexible schedule
LINESConnected 