The Dirt with Adji Cissoko

Adji Cissoko landed a job in the corps of the National Ballet of Canada at age 19, after spending only one year at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre. Four years later, the 5’ 9” native of Munich, Germany, has made another bold move: Cissoko recently joined Alonzo King LINES Ballet. You can catch her on tour with LINES this month in Virginia and Connecticut, and in November, the company will present King’s Rasa during its home season in San Francisco, CA. Want to know what makes this ballerina tick? Read on for The Dirt.

(Cody Chen, Courtesy LINES Ballet)

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I speak five languages.

What’s your favorite city in the world?

New York City.

What’s one thing you can’t live without?

Sparkling water.

What’s your favorite dance movie?

Center Stage.

What’s your dream role?

Odette/Odile in Swan Lake.

What’s the most challenging thing about touring with the company?

Packing my suitcase…I always seem to over pack.

What’s your advice for
Dance Spirit readers?

Don’t ever forget how amazing it feels to just dance and don’t get caught up in trying to please or impress others.