The Dirt: Isabella DeVivo

Isabella DeVivo is taking the ballet world by storm: During her first year as a San Francisco Ballet corps member, she danced featured roles in Alexei Ratmansky’s From Foreign Lands and Liam Scarlett’s Hummingbird. Before joining SFB in 2013, she studied dance at the School of American Ballet in NYC and was a San Francisco Ballet School trainee. DeVivo has also performed with New York City Ballet, and appeared in the Broadway production of Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life in 2006. Want to know more? Read on for The Dirt.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A geologist! Honestly, I owe it to the TV show “Dragon Tales.” I was on the hunt for a magical rainbow stone of my own.

What’s your dream role?

I’d love to perform the role of Kitri, but the principal in George Balanchine’s Square Dance is a dream as well.

What can always make you laugh?

A good fall! (As long as no one got hurt.)

What’s your favorite costume?

The costume for Myles Thatcher’s ballet, Manifesto. The designer Mark Zappone made me feel like I was the winner of “America’s Next Top Model.”

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Filling in for Maria Kochetkova during a Saturday night performance of Alexei Ratmansky’s From Foreign Lands. It was the first month of my first season with San Francisco Ballet.

What was your most embarrassing moment onstage?

After performing the principal in Parrish Maynard’s Light Lime, I slipped running out for the final bow. The bow. Really?!

When you need a boost of inspiration, what do you watch?

Sofiane Sylve in the YouTube video “Super Pirouette.” Perfection does indeed exist.

Who is your dance role model?

Frances Chung, an extraordinary principal with SFB, because she embodies just about everything you’d dream of.

(Photo by Erik Tomasson, courtesy SFB)