Meet Dewey Buehler | Professional Ballet Dancer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dewey Buehler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dewey, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk to me in my work and my personal life is usually about vulnerability. Being vulnerable is probably the riskiest thing possible, but it is also one of my core values as a human and something I am constantly drawn to in others. I wear my heart on my sleeve and probably let myself get hurt more than most, but to me the high is always worth the temporary low. In relationships, in friendships, in my work – taking chances for me is the only way to live an honest and true life. I can think of countless examples in my personal life, but one of the most influential risks has been moving to a new city and not knowing anyone, and figuring out how to build a life. I have done this four different times all before the age of 25! I am so grateful for the unique perspective this has given me. Looking back on it is, of course, easier than the loneliness I felt at the moment. But living in that forced me to know myself, and it also made me really comfortable with putting myself out there and searching for true connection. It taught me what it takes to be a good friend, how to be that for others, and in turn how to receive it. This risk has made my life so much richer.

Risk has played the biggest role in my success as a dancer. I find it funny to say really, I don’t think people would think of me and think “risk” hah. But the more I look back on my journey the more I see it. Risk often clarifies outcomes. In life and work, rejection is redirection. I often didn’t get that clarity until I asked for it. I remember being really well liked and thinking I was going to get promoted out of one of the second companies I danced for, and then I sensed a shift. Instead of waiting around, I asked the question. I had a sense the answer would be devastating, but I had confidence that knowing would be easier than wondering. And it sped up the process for me, which is important because a dancers career is so short.

For many reasons, my biggest risk was probably accepting my current job in the middle of a pandemic and moving 2000 miles away from home. After getting my first secure, paid position, moving on to a different job less than a year later felt risky. It scared me more than any other risk I have taken, but the payoff has been, by far, the most rewarding. All the risks and the redirection over last the seven years led me here, exactly where I hoped to be. Is this how I thought I would get here? Definitely not! But I know I am in the right place and I am grateful for the choices that led me here.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I think I am most proud of my perseverance to get where I am now, to finally have a bit of stability in this crazy career, and to get to do it in a city I love so much. I graduated from an all girls high school in Wisconsin and started my career right away, and I was the only one in my grade that year who didn’t go to college. The path to becoming a professional ballerina is certainly untraditional, and it might sound like that is what was hard about it, but choosing a different path was actually attractive and empowering to me at that age.

The journey is also a bit dysfunctional systemically. I joined what we call a “second company”, its a group below the “main company” (paid professional dancers), and it’s sort of like an intern program, but you work full time with the company and are typically not paid. You have 1-2 years there, and there is only ever 1 to 2 people get promoted out of about 25 per year. This is a time period that a lot of talented dancers don’t make it through, there is a lot to say about luck and timing. I hopped around a few second companies in different states, and had a hard time being that 1 person. It was frustrating because I was always well liked and used, feeling like I was at the top of the pack, but the answer was always that I was “just too short” which of course was something out of my control.

I started to feel the pressure of aging out of these unpaid years. And yet something about the pandemic hitting actually made me career jump forward. I was in my last second company and I knew I wasn’t going to get promoted there, and somehow with the whole future of the arts at risk, I got my first paid full company position. And from there I joined my dream company, all during the worst times of the pandemic. Now I am here in San Francisco, in the midst of my second season with Smuin Contemporary Ballet.

Here are the three most important things I have learned along the way:

1. SAY YES. Say yes to as many opportunities as you can. Especially as a creative. And milk it, squeeze every little drop out of it so that you can become the best version of yourself. Don’t get bitter or see the down side of things, because it will always be there in our fields, but use everything you can for you, even if the situation isn’t “ideal”. If it scares you but excites, like this opportunity did me, it’s almost always the right choice.

2. The only thing that will get you through the low points is that tiny voice in your head saying I CAN DO THIS, there is a space for me, and I will find it. The never ending belief in yourself is the only thing that will keep you going, no amount of external validation or feedback can replace it. You will have so many people supporting you, and also a lot telling you you can’t do it. You have to convince yourself it will all work out for you and you are making the right choices.

3. There are other things you can be good at besides your craft, find them and hone them! For me it was being really smart, picking up choreography quickly, and being easy to work with. I use every opportunity possible to show that. You have a ton of value that is separate from your talent and your skill. Learn how to show it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am not local to this area, but if I had a friend visiting me in San Francisco, here’s a few things we would do

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this to my parents, who truly made me to believe that I can accomplish anything I want, and supported me through all of my risks.

Instagram: dropofdewey

Other: Tik Tok – I do San Francisco recommendations as a way to explore this city. @citygirl_sf

Image Credits
all images by Maggie Carey