Learn about Molly Wheat!
We are excited to welcome Molly back to JMBT studios this year after a long hiatus away. Molly was previously a student at JMBT, then a dancer with the company, and now a faculty member!
Listen to your teachers, Listen to the music, Listen to your heart…it will reveal your passion and help you follow even the most difficult paths to excellence!
How – and when – did you first come to JMBT?
I first came to JMBT as a student in the Young Dancers Program back when the studios were on Mass Ave in Boston. I was an Angel in the first production of José Mateo’s The Nutcracker! I continued my ballet training at JMBT through high school and was on track to attend Barnard College when I saw the company perform their spring production. I was inspired! With the full support of my mother, who saw the opportunity to dance in a company as a unique opportunity, I deferred college in order to try dancing professionally. I became an apprentice in the company, and then a full company member. After a decade of dancing in the company, Mr. Mateo invited me to join the faculty at JMBT. For some years I was dancing full time and teaching in the YDP and Adult Open Class Program. Then I added Nutcracker Children’s Cast Coordinator to my list of responsibilities at JMBT. Over the years I have worn many hats at JMBT!
What did you enjoy most about dancing at JMBT?
The thing I enjoyed most about dancing at JMBT was the thrill of performing original choreography, especially world premieres of José Mateo’s choreography! I always considered myself lucky to have witnessed and been a part of the creative process for these most special ballets.
Molly in class with Amy Chan
Do you have any favorite memories from your time at JMBT you would like to share!
It’s difficult choosing a favorite memory of JMBT, when you’ve been involved with the organization for as long as I have. However, a very special time for me was rehearsing and performing the fall production, Hallowed Dances in 2001. This rep show included Mr. Mateo’s Isle of the Dead, one of the ballets that had inspired me as a student all those years before watching from the audience! It was only the second rep show produced in the new Sanctuary Theatre after Resurgence (another amazing memory!) And I was honored to perform one of the Three Sisters alongside Meg, my best dance friend since I was 18 years old! What a special series of shows those were.
Do you think that your ballet/dance training at JMBT has helped prepare you for your professional career?
My training at JMBT, especially directly under José Mateo for so many years, helped shape who I am as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. Beyond the dance steps and performance experience, JMBT taught me discipline and decorum, hard work and humility, persistence and patience – I learned so many life lessons in the school and the company and even being on the faculty at JMBT.
What advice would you give to current ballet students who want to pursue a career the same career as yours?
The best advice I can give to current ballet students is to really listen. Listen to your instructors, listen to the music, listen to your heart! Ballet will teach you to listen to corrections and criticisms. You mustn’t be frightened of that. Listen, for you will hear the advice of generations of ballet dancers and teachers guiding you. Listen to the music, for without it we as dancers would be nothing. And listen to your heart, for it will reveal your passion and help you follow even the most difficult paths to excellence!
