Many thanks FauxPas for such a well thought out state of the union!! If only ABT were reading here...
Yes it seems terrible that dancers have to pay out of their own pocket for coaching, especially when many ie. in the corps don't make much. It actually seems to create real inequality within ABT based on ability to pay - I can't help but think of Skylar Brandt's extensive coaching videos she posts on Instagram and how that sort of coaching would not be accessible for those with less means. It seems that coaching has a real impact on the dancer's performance and even career trajectory (stepping in for injured dancers already knowing the role, etc.) That reliance on outside coaching seems very unique to ABT and a real negative reflection of the company's resources
Also very curious as to why Bell and Hurlin aren't cast together more often - would be so easy to market as young, attractive, upcoming and a couple in real life!! They seem to share a lot of technical bravura too, would be a great fit for ballets like Swan Lake. Ratmansky seemed to like them together, casting for both Nutcracker and OLAR. Sometimes it seems Kevin made decisions on casting out of sheer stubbornness. Although Bell/Teuscher seem an established partnership and maybe she gets first pick as the more senior ballerina. Bell/Hurlin are my two favourite principals and the pairing I most want to see at ABT....