Swan Dive

A blisteringly honest tale of overcoming hurdles — racism, misogyny, sexual harassment and psychological abuse — to reach the top of a fiendishly cut-throat industry. – Laura Pullman * Sunday Times *
A page-turner * New York Times *
Witty, sobering, hell-raising … Pazcoguin exposes more turmoil at New York City Ballet than any fictional melodrama could hope to match. Good luck trying to look away… . There are enough real-life crises in this brisk, often laugh-out-loud tell-all to light the imagination of any cable TV script writer. But with her string of criticisms and even in her crazy-funny asides, Pazcoguin has a serious point to make about the ballet world * Washington Post *
While the juicy details of beautiful people behaving badly are beguiling, it’s Pazcoguin’s unsparing criticism of the industry that begs an encore. This is potent stuff * Publishers Weekly *
Always arresting onstage, Georgina Pazcoguin gives us a take on the ballet world that is witty and from the heart. An eye-opening read. – Mikhail Baryshnikov
Revelatory … Sure to ruffle some tutus * New York Post *
Her page-turning personal accounts … show the blood behind the beauty of ballet—but also her wholehearted love of the art form. * L’officiel *
Come for the unfiltered peek behind the curtain, stay for the accessible, often hilarious writing * Dance Magazine *
Pazcoguin writes with astounding passion about her achievements, and her prose is enchanting as she describes finally being comfortable in her own skin. Vulnerable, raw, and full of grit, this is the story of a woman who has been broken yet clawed her way to victory … A personal tale of darkness, passion, and euphoric triumph * Library Journal *
In her brisk, spirited debut memoir, [Pazcoguin] recounts her experiences in the competitive, hierarchal ballet world … A lively chronicle of dedication and joy. * Kirkus Reviews *
Aggressively entertaining… [Swan Dive] is equal parts autobiography, insider intel, and righteous indignation * Shelf Awareness *
A thoroughly captivating read. Determination and passion are the cornerstones of Georgina’s magic onstage and off, and her humor and wit make this peek behind the curtain like no other dance memoir. Her courage in the face of adversity is to be admired – Chita Rivera
Georgina has led quite the journey to become the woman she is today. She exemplifies a natural, nostalgic showgirl attitude combined with the sensitivity and precision of a life in ballet. – Zac Posen
This is a fearless book written with a courageous, blazing spirit. Georgina’s story compels you to look at yours as fiercely as she examines hers. – Jose Antonio Vargas, founder of Define American and author of Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen
Georgina Pazcoguin has brought the glories of ballet and technique into a new light. She is refinement and explosion wrapped into a woman whose personal style is ready for the runway. She can captivate an opera house as easily as she can earn the adoration of a young fan… . You will find Swan Dive to be a wild ride dancing between risk and balance, legacy and possibility. – Andy Blankenbuehler, award-winning choreographer of In the Heights and Hamilton

Georgina Pazcoguin was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She began her dance training at the age of four and is today a soloist with the New York City Ballet. She has also appeared on Broadway, making her debut in 2015 as Ivy Smith in On the Town, and also performed as Victoria in the 2016 Broadway revival of Cats. She lives in New York.

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