Quotes from Karen Kain

I want to leave this company in the best possible shape.

Dancers, like all performing artists, like nothing better than to be challenged.

Canadians are very proud of me, of my career.

It's a different era. Our job now is to show leadership and vision and to help the next generation of artists.

Surround yourself with people who provide you with support and love and remember to give back as much as you can in return.

Talent will only take you so far, and it is your ability to feel the music and explore a movement that will bring you the greatest pleasure in dance.

Even if I had nothing to do with the Canada Council, I'd be praying for it.

I know how demanding the process of creation is.

I know there are going to be big challenges financially, but I'm excited artistically. I think that if the experience is better artistically, then we have more hope in the future.

You're terrified that nothing will ever give you the fulfillment that dancing has given you.

Friday night is our date night. We really carve out time for each other.

There's nothing like the force and challenge of a new ballet to galvanize everyone involved in bringing it to life.

I really felt it was time for a new vision.

In my life, there have always been people who guided my path, towards the school, towards this company. I didn't know about any of it. I didn't have a plan. It's good fortune and generosity from other people that have given me all I have today.

When I grow up I am going to be a ballerina. I will be in Giselle. It will be so much fun being a ballerina.

Know that there is so much more to you than your body. It's not just about perfecting the steps you must trust your instincts to tell deep, emotional stories through the steps that you are performing.

It's a different era. Our job now is to show leadership and vision and to help the next generation of artists.

Know that there is so much more to you than your body. It's not just about perfecting the steps; you must trust your instincts to tell deep, emotional stories through the steps that you are performing.

Like everyone else, I want to go on dancing forever, but I know the day is going to come when I will have to be doing something else.

To be able to make decisions and see them come to fruition and feel the excitement around them, what it generates within the company, how the artists get motivated - that's the most rewarding part; feeling I can be a catalyst for an artistic experience for our artists and for the public.

In the world of classical ballet there are only a handful of story ballets, so getting a new one is cause for excitement.

Treasure the things about you that make you different and unique.

What's a dancer's worst enemy? Sometimes it's age, but sometimes it's the dancer themselves.

The arts are an integral part of the city's economic progress.