Brennan Boyer

Where’s the most amazing place you have ever danced?

I have danced in many different theatres all of them have their charms and their problems. I've danced in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Scotland, and London. Europe was very interesting just because of the similarities in culture, but also the big differences not only in words but the general feel of history all about you.
 
Who are your favorite performers, current dancers and past heroes?

I have a few favorite current performers. Jonathan Porretta, Carrie Imler, Kiyon Gaines, and Lucien Postlewaite, are all friends of mine from PNB that all have a sense of ease as they dance along with limitless energy. Mara Vinson also has such a unique and personal sense of timing that I love. I try to live up to their abilities often. I also have some great dancers in OBT that are favorites for different reasons, Kathi Martuza and Alison Roper are such body beautiful powerhouses. They can't make a step look bad, and Yuka Lino has a lot of playful finesse. These are things I admire and like to work for in myself.  
 
What would you do if you could never dance again?

I would go to school to start out. While I'm not 100% sure of what I'd want to do, I would be interested in business and marketing. I am currently working with a co-worker of mine, Steven Houser, and we are starting to figure out how to make our own leotards and tights with fun prints and patterns.  Perhaps I would attempt to start a business. Or, with that knowledge and my background in dance, I would be interested in directing. I believe a director has to have some knowledge of the product they are putting out there and how to present it to the public. I also like the idea of molding people and watching them achieve things they couldn't before.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not dancing?

When I'm not dancing I like to work out, because it is a different way of working for me. I like to relax and do nothing, go to movies, hang out with friends, whether it is going to dinner or a club or just laughing at home, and I like to read when I have a good book. Sleep is also my friend and I do like to nap.  

Brennan dances with Oregon Ballet Theatre. Read his full bio on the Dancers page of this site.

Michele Gifford
 
If you could work with any choreographer, living or dead, on a new ballet, with whom would you want to work?

Balanchine

What talents do you have that few people know about?

I am a mom and that includes many talents in of itself—managerial skills, cooking, multitasking, etc....

Do you like to see video tapes of yourself dancing?

NO--I like to think that it is a live art and not meant to be viewed on a one-dimensional medium.

How would you like to be remembered?

Being the best that I can be with what I was given and managed to create in my life with grace and humility.

When you are tired and worn down in rehearsal, how do you have the drive to keep going?

Mind over matter and I listen to the music and that somehow gets me going--and of course humor to lighten things up a bit.

To read Michelle's bio, visit the Dancers page on our website.