Gene Schiavone: A Portrait of Gratitude, A Dance Photographer and His Treasure Box of Thank You Notes

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey

Nov 22 2023 • 54 mins

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and Gene Schiavone.

In this episode of “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey, join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest: Dance Photographer Gene Schiavone about his  career which grew out of a hobby.

You will meet this humble man behind the lens who captures moments in time thus memorializing history.

Gene shares how he savors the relationships he has made and the individuals he has met, summing up his career by his treasured box of thank you notes, saying in his own words, "You measure your life, in some way,  by how many thank you notes you got."


Gene Schiavone became interested in photography as a child.  With no formal training, he went on to become a sought after Dance Photographer. What began as a childhood curiosity became a budding career,  photographing some of the worlds best ballet dancers. Gene attributes his introduction to the world of ballet to his wife through her involvement with ABT (American Ballet Theater). His informal conversation with renowned ballerina, Julie Kent, piqued his interest in the art form and then began to attend more ballet performances. Around that same time, Gene was given permission to photograph performances of ABT's studio company and after two years was invited to photograph the main company, which led to other requests for similar work.

Gene's work and images includes Boston Ballet, Mariinsky Theatre, Bolshoi Ballet, Washington Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and The Radio City Rockettes among others. His images have appeared New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and all the major dance publications both here and abroad.

In March 2020, Gene retired from studio photography and is currently working on his first book in collaboration with retired ballerina and dance writer, Gavin Larsen.

Gene continues to acknowledge his gratitude for all the dancers he has worked with over the years and for the hundreds of pairs of signed shoes and photos he remembers them by.

Follow on Instagram @geneschiavoneofficial

Find out more ⁠https://www.geneschiavone.com/


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“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey

"Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."


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