Argentine ballerina Paloma Herrera, who retired from performing a decade ago, now teaches and coaches younger dancers. In an interview with La Nacion, she said she maintains high standards while trying not to repeat the harsh teaching methods she experienced.
Herrera left Argentina for New York at 15 to pursue ballet and went on to become an international star. She now teaches classes, travels to competitions and coaches dancers preparing for the stage. She said she has never missed performing because applause and recognition were not her main motivation.
“I’ve already done it and given everything. There’s nothing left for me to give,” she said of returning to the barre. She enjoys being part of the work that prepares a dancer for a performance, even though she still loves the stage.
Herrera described teachers whose strictness came with care, including her longtime mentor Irina Kolpakova, and others whose rehearsals created fear and tension. Now she aims to keep discipline while preserving students’ freedom and personality. “You can say the same things, but kindly, with love,” she said.
She believes teachers must set an example. Herrera arrives early for her own classes and completes her exercises before teaching. Talent, she said, combines physical qualities, movement and high-quality instruction from an early age.
Since retiring, Herrera has also developed a perfume brand, taking part in the design and fragrance process. She led the Teatro Colon’s ballet company from 2017 to 2022 but said she would not return to management. She cited problems beyond the artistic work, including pay, overtime and pensions.