10 Quick Questions With Ida Saki
The first time you saw Ida Saki may have been on the October 2009 cover of Dance Spirit. At the time, 17-year-old Ida was a competition dancer from Texas, where she trained at Dance Industry Performing Arts Center. That same year, Ida won the coveted Senior Outstanding Dancer title at New York City Dance Alliance Nationals, and then enrolled at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. From there, she joined Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet—she landed her second Dance Spirit cover with the group in 2014—and was named one of Dance Magazine‘s 25 to Watch. Now, Ida performs nightly in Sleep No More in NYC. We sat down with the girl with the #flawless feet to pick her brain about her morning routine, her dance-related must-haves and what’s on her current playlist.
1. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning, and what’s the last thing you do before bed every night?
As soon as I wake up, I drink some water and make coffee. And right before bed, I like to listen to relaxing music and do some light stretching.
2. What are three things you eat every day?
Bananas, eggs, and spinach or kale.
3. What are three things you can’t dance without?
Music, my Nalgene water bottle and a good pair of socks.
4. In your very expert opinion, what’s the best dance movie of all-time?
My all-time favorite movie is Moulin Rouge! But specifically for dancing, I’d go with Chicago.
5. If you were given one hour to take class from any instructor, who would you choose?
Ohad Naharin
6. What’s your favorite place you’ve ever performed?
Torino, Italy
7. What songs are in heavy rotation on your playlist right now?
“Blind” by Hercules & Love Affair, “Cold Little Heart” by Michael Kiwanuka, and “Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967” by John Mayer.
8. Other than dance, what’s your favorite way to break a sweat?
Yoga. I always use it to warm-up on my own, and I love taking yoga classes.
9. What’s your favorite way to spend a Sunday?
Relaxing! I love going to the park on a nice day or watching a movie and making dinner.
10. What has been the single greatest moment in your dance career so far?
It was a great honor to receive the Presidential Scholar in the Arts award. It was my first time performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and it was an added bonus that it was alongside one of my best friends.