BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Bakersfield has a much-earned reputation for being a driving force in country music because of the likes of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. But there is a wide diversity in the talent that has come out of the city. Korn could not be any different musically.

Then there is Tiler Peck who is a principal dancer with New York City Ballet where she has performed leading roles in works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and many contemporary choreographers. The Bakersfield native began her dance training with her mother, Georgia Peck, at the age of two and joined NYCB at 15. She has expanded her career into choreography, authorship, fashion design, and filmmaking, inspiring audiences worldwide.

The documentary – Tiler Peck Suspended in Time” – will be featured on the PBS series “Great Performance” on Nov. 7. Before it airs there, Peck is bringing the film to Bakersfield for a special event as Kern Dance Alliance will host Peck Oct. 22 at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater.

Despite having gained fame on one of the biggest dance stages on the planet, Peck continues to have a deep bond to the city where she took her first dance steps.

“I attribute so much of who I am to my upbringing, and I just feel like Bakersfield has such wonderful strong roots,” Peck says. “And it is my foundation. I just love getting to come back anytime I can.

“It’s really important to me because I think who you really are is dependent on where you come from.”

The person Peck really is serves as the basis of the documentary.  It offers a personal look at one of ballet’s most celebrated artists as she faces a career crossroads and great personal loss.

Following a series of life-altering events—including a major injury, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other major events—the New York City Ballet prima ballerina was forced to reckon with the unknown and reimagine her relationship to dance, to her body, and to herself.

There was a moment when the fate of the documentary was uncertain. Peck made it clear that the results of her medical evaluation for her injury would dictate whether the filming continued or stopped. If she had to have surgery that would most likely end her dance career, the project would not proceed.

The local event will feature a screening of her new documentary and the launch of her newest book, “XO Ballerina Big Sis.” This exclusive sneak-peek preview marks the film’s debut in Bakersfield ahead of its multi-city U.S. tour, with the world premiere scheduled to open the San Francisco Dance Film Festival in San Francisco on Oct. 24.

The October 22 event begins at 6:30 p.m. where Peck will be signing her book that is available for purchase through a partnership with Russo’s Book Store.

“XO Ballerina Big Sis,” is filled with practical advice from the best warm-up exercises to finding the perfect leotard. It also touches on dealing with burnout and learning how to dance for yourself.

This is the third children’s book written by Peck.

“The first two were little stories about a ballerina. This one is different from those two. This one is part memoir because I take from my experiences,” Peck says. “But it is more like a guidebook to younger dancers.

“I started thinking that if you don’t come from a dance family how are we supposed to know all these things. I deal with hard topics like competition, social media, and injuries. Things that I think are hard to overcome.”

Peck has not only overcome any potential obstacle but has grown into a multi-faceted talent. Along with dancing and writing, she has also been able to land acting roles in such projects as “Donnie Darko,” “Ray Donovan,” “Tiny Pretty Things,” and “Étoile.”

Being part of “Étoile” was a perfect fit for Peck. The Prime Video series focused on the dancers and artistic staff of two world-renowned ballet companies who tried to save their storied institutions by swapping their most talented stars. Peck played Eva Cullman, a ballerina at the Metropolitan Ballet, dealing with a mishap from freezing up during a performance of “Swan Lake.”

The show was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the force behind “The Gilmore Girls.”

Peck’s interest in acting started at a very young age. Along with the time spent in dance classes, she was able to find time to take acting classes.

“But I felt like I had to put that side of my life aside when I first started ballet because I needed to focus on just being in a company,” Peck says. “It wasn’t until I became a principal dancer where I was able to have a bit more freedom with my schedule that I was able to take on other projects as well.”

All of this adds up to Peck having a lot she can discuss. Following the screening of Peck’s documentary, she will participate in a question-and-answer session offering insights into her creative journey.

Tickets for the event are $15 for general admission and $10 for Kern Dance Alliance members and can be purchased at bakersfieldlive.com.

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