Infinite Steps

“What a wonderful look at the process of making art! Readers witness the artistry of Schiavone’s photography through portraits of remarkable dance artists and get to know the dancers themselves through Larsen’s writing. Infinite Steps allows readers to experience one art form within another.”—Kevin McKenzie, former artistic director, American Ballet Theatre

“Engaging and eloquent, former dancer Gavin Larsen provides a fascinating peek into the lives of intriguing artists at various career stages and a unique exploration into what drives dancers’ ambitions, all captured through the expert lens of Gene Schiavone, a cherished photographer for Boston Ballet over many decades.”—Mikko Nissinen, artistic director, Boston Ballet

“Gavin Larsen writes with sensitivity and thoughtfulness that reveal facets of the dance world in glimmering new ways. Combined with Gene Schiavone’s beautiful photographs, these stories will resonate with dancers and even fascinate readers unfamiliar with the dance world.”—Jenifer Ringer, former principal dancer, New York City Ballet

“What pours out of the pages of this book is love: love for dancers, love for ballet, and love for the hard work of art, as well as a keen understanding of the extraordinary moment in which a dancer and photographer meet. Everyone involved in the creation of this book knows just how much effort and devotion goes into a life in ballet, an art that disappears in the moment that it comes into being.”—Marina Harss, author of The Boy from Kyiv: Alexei Ratmansky’s Life in Ballet

“The range of dancers profiled in this book provides not only a well-rounded view of the ballet world from aspirants to legends but also a testament to the fascination of dance photographers for the art form. A knowledgeable dancer wrote these profiles, and that shines through constantly. They are sensitive, deeply considered, and illuminating.”—Rachel Howard, dance correspondent, San Francisco Chronicle

“Offers a refreshing take on dance photography. We not only see the beauty of the dancers’ movement magnificently represented by Schiavone’s photographs, but we also get to know them through their own words brought to life through Larsen’s resonant writing. This artistic collaboration, with intimate glimpses behind the scenes, makes the dancers’ lives leap off the pages in more ways than one.”—Elysia Dawn, chief executive director, United Arts Collier

“A bravura performance in which Schiavone’s exquisite photographs and Larsen’s perceptive profiles introduce readers to some remarkable current, former, and aspiring dancers.”—Library Journal, Starred Review