151. Dance As An Expression of Worship: Silas Farley

The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast

Former New York City ballet dancer, Silas Farley, first learned about dance in the context of worship at his church—a perspective that would stick with him through grueling training at the School of American Ballet and through his professional career. Silas shares the nerve-wracking story of taking a leap of faith towards dance over other paths, how he got to see a unique and beautiful dream come to life on stage and help others realize their dreams too, and how he got to embody his love for the Lord through movement.

Quotes

“My first encounter with dance was dance as worship, not dance as performance, and that really resonated with me.” - Silas Farley

“Getting to dance in the New York City Ballet was like someone who wanted to be an astronaut and actually got to go to the moon. The days were long, hard, and deeply rewarding, beginning with morning classes, rehearsing all day, and then performing most nights of most weeks of the year. That pace of work was relentless, but it was also deeply gratifying.” - Silas Farley

“It was kind of an embodied form of prayer to get to come into the theater and to work in this beautifully embodied art form and to do it for the glory of my King Jesus—kind of offering to the Lord through performing and working. I feel incredibly close to God when I dance.” - Silas Farley

“I always think about how Jesus is God made man, that He is the incarnation of God. He has a body, and in His resurrection, He shows us the glorious potential and future for the body.” - Silas Farley

“In my final year in the company, there were more dancers of color than had ever been in the history of the company. That felt really, really special and really significant—a beautiful shift in the evolution of the art form. I thought it a great privilege and joy to be at the New York City Ballet at a point in the institution's story when part of that original vision was starting to be realized.” - Silas Farley

“I hope I get to spend the rest of my life dancing, laughing, singing, and thanking God for His great, great grace and love.” - Silas Farley

Resources Mentioned in This Episode Southern Methodist University

New York City Ballet

George Balanchine

Patricia McBride

School of American Ballet

Professional Children's School

Harvard University

Lincoln Kirstein

Colburn School

Cassia Farley

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*