Ballet is training for life, say guest danseurs Esteban Hernández and Nathaniel Remez
Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja (left) took the opportunity to feature San Francisco Ballet guest artists Esteban Hernandez, Katherine Barkman and Nathaniel Remez to her art-advocacy program, Art 2 Art. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
By Jv Ramos
Ballet Manila’s recent staging of Swan Lake brought two artists from the San Francisco Ballet to the Philippines to dance the role of Prince Siegfried: principal Esteban Hernández, whom local audiences first saw as the charming Basilio in Don Quixote in 2023; and soloist Nathaniel Remez whose performance as the royal who falls in love with the swan queen Odette was his debut in the full-length ballet classic.
Returning to the Philippines was like coming back home, says San Francisco Ballet principal dancer Esteban Hernandez who performed as Prince Siegfried in Ballet Manila’s Swan Lake. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
“Why I agreed to come and perform here again is I had such a great time during my first time,” expressed the Mexican-born Esteban, who this time around, danced with fellow San Francisco Ballet artist Katherine Barkman, former Ballet Manila principal from 2015 to 2017. The two dancers had previously performed together as the leads of Swan Lake, but their Manila performance was extra special due to the connections they’ve made here.
“Growing up, my parents, who were both professional dancers, showed me how dance can ultimately change people’s lives, and that’s something that I thought Ballet Manila really embodied, and I really liked that. In a way, going back here feels like going back home!” enthused Esteban, who, together with Nathaniel and Katherine guested in an episode of artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s art-advocacy program Art 2 Art.
“There’s really something special about what was built here,” echoed Nathaniel. “Since I stepped into the studio, I’ve felt nothing but the welcoming support from everyone in Ballet Manila. That’s very important to have a good support system when you’re pursuing a career in dance.”
San Francisco Ballet soloist Nathaniel Remez made his debut as Prince Siegfried in Ballet Manila’s Swan Lake. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
The newly promoted soloist – who trained with the Maryland Youth Ballet during his formative years – elaborates that even if he was the only one stepping into the role of Prince Siegfried to dance with Ballet Manila principal artist Abigail Oliveiro, so many people were actually involved in the process. Back home, ballerinas from his company danced with him, so he could learn the way Siegfried dances with Odette and Odile and ultimately get used to adjusting with different partners. “When I got here, Abi and I were able to connect and communicate easily. It’s been great. I’m very pleased with how everything has turned out.”
Asked if they always had positive views about ballet, especially since it’s not a typical path for boys, Esteban said he is lucky to have been mentored by his own father Hector Hernandez who, like Esteban’s mother Laura, was a ballet dancer. The San Francisco Ballet principal notes that ever since he expressed interest in it as a young boy, there was no stopping him. “My parents knew the hardships or what this kind of life entailed, but they encouraged me to pursue my passion anyway, and that kind support had been essential in my capacity, and to everyone I know and have talked to who has made a life out of ballet.”
Esteban Hernandez was mentored by his father, Hector Hernandez, who also trained and danced ballet like Esteban’s mother Laura. Photo from Esteban Hernandez’s Facebook page
Esteban explained that it was because of his family’s unwavering encouragement that he saw all the possibilities that he could be as a dancer, possibilities that have allowed him to hope and continue whenever he’d face a setback. “All of the people that have helped you and supported you, you carry all of that with you. Not as a burden of any kind, but as an inspiration to keep going.”
Similarly, Nathaniel believes having a strong support system early on allowed him to thrive in dance. “As a young boy growing up in ballet, I was very lucky to have had the environment that I was in. The ballet studio that I had gone to was so wonderful: there was a great community there, and I had so many very good friends [including] other boys that it didn't matter what anyone else said. And I think that if we're able to build those fantastic communities – like what has been done with Ballet Manila, where everyone has been so welcoming and friendly – it doesn't matter what anyone else says or thinks!”
Having completed their Swan Lake shows, Nathaniel has gone on a beach break with Katherine while Esteban heads to Tokyo to teach ballet class and do some sight-seeing, before returning to San Francisco well-rested and ready to challenge their bodies more in their upcoming season. Prior to their guesting in Ballet Manila, both had starred in Liam Scarlett’s Frankenstein and each considered their respective roles as career highs, and they only hope to continue the momentum of their careers.
Nathaniel Remez considers himself lucky he had a strong support system growing up that encouraged his interest in dance. Photo from Nathaniel Remez’s Facebook page
“When we go back to work, we'll be working on some ballets by William Forsythe, which are always very fun,” revealed Esteban. “And then, there will also be Balanchine ballets, so this season, I feel, is going to be a good one!”
"There's also the new ballet of our choreographer-in-residence Yuri Possokhov," pointed out Nathaniel. "I've had the privilege of working with Yuri many times, and to work with a choreographer that you're very familiar with in terms of their style and their taste can be an incredible experience, because it feels like you're leaving your mark on the work. I'm really looking forward to that process."
Recently, Esteban has branched out into choreography through the San Francisco Ballet School, an area he considers as a “refreshing and challenging” way to express his creativity and an opportunity to pass on what he has learned to younger dancers.
What advice do these San Franscisco Ballet artists have for boys who would also like to get into ballet? Esteban’s reminder is for them continue with the process of trying. He stressed, “Things that you are not familiar with or things that you’re not too exposed to will always be intimidating at first!” Then, once the boys have figured out that they like ballet, Esteban reiterates that they seek – even if this means living far from home – a good support system that would continuously encourage them.
Esteban partnered fellow San Francisco Ballet first solo is Katherine Barkman who was Odette to his Prince Siegfried. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
“Because being on stage can already make you so vulnerable, you need people that would uplift you,” Nathaniel also noted. “I, too, would tell young boys to try it out. Try it out because it’s fun, and you’ll learn a lot!”
He enthusiastically added, “What’s wonderful about ballet is, even if you don't end up being a professional, you’ll learn so many important things about discipline, self-correction, and hard work. It’s just so beautiful how ballet trains you for life!”
Even though he arrived just a week before Swan Lake opened, Nathaniel says he and Ballet Manila principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro were able to connect and communicate easily. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
See also:
Born ready: Ballet Manila guest artist Esteban Hernandez and his world of possibilities
Watch the Art 2 Art episode featuring the San Francisco Ballet artists:
San Francisco Ballet Artists: Art 2 Art with Lisa Macuja Elizalde
