Jaime Verazin Profile

Jaime Verazin is kind of like Tigger she happily bounces through rehearsals and life working harder and happier than anyone I’ve ever met.  Of course for an accurate analogy, Tigger, would have to be female, beautiful and possess the most identifiable and enviable B double O TY in the shadow world. Jaime is an amazing dancer who often performs at the Metropolitan Opera and has toured around the world with Momix.  She is currently working on her own show in NYC.  She has a unique talent for making friends, get anywhere near her and you will be hugged. Just don’t get so involved in rehearsals that you forget to let her eat every few hours.  You ever see that movie: Gremlins?

I have worked in dance retail from 16-18, even managed the store alone some weekends! My favorite job at the dance store was organizing the front window to lure customers in!

I've also been a house cleaner  toilets and all- to a landscaper -pulling weeds, pruning, transplanting and planting, etc.- to a home organizer for close family and friends ;)

One of the strangest performing jobs I had:  I remember Central Park dancing on the grass on the side of a hill barefoot doing acrobatic partnering for an "event" and no one seemed to be watching. ;/

The most dangerous act I've done was a 4 minute aerial chandelier routine completely unharnessed. This happened about 15-20 feet in the air to then be taken up into the rafters beyond 30 feet while hanging by my feet! But I wouldn't have had it any other way! I love flying ;)

The most terrifying moment of my life happened one morning in Florence, Italy while on tour.  I awoke the day after a show to find that I couldn't feel my right leg. I thought maybe it "fell asleep" pins and needles style, but no...I had lost all feeling and mobility. I was carried through the tiny streets of Florence by a fellow dancer because the cabs couldn't get through to the hospital. I found out 4 hours later after many tests that I had damaged the sciatic nerve. I was out. Immobile. With only two weeks left in the 6 month tour I was all of a sudden using a cane and dragging my leg along. It was the first time in my life I thought I may never ever walk again let alone DANCE! It was both terrifying and agonizing.

I maintain my physique by walking walking and more walking. New York City is the best place for that. I will sometimes walk 5 avenues and 30 blocks just for exercise. Taking the subway stairs two steps at a time is a nice challenge also. In addition, I take dance classes and play on various aerial props for a good upper body workout ;)

Diet

I am definitely a carbivore, yes CARB-ivore! Because I'm so physical all the time my metabolism works really quickly! 

For breakfast I eat granola with almond milk or yogurt and some fruit. 

For lunch I like a big caesar or garden salad with protein in it....... and chips... oops.

For dinner my favorites are grilled chicken with red peppers over a bed of lettuce or kale/ London broil with a baked yam and leeks / penne a la vodka sauce / sushi and miso soup with edamame ;)

My Guilty Pleasures: Chips! And pizza! If I don't have time in between rehearsals I crave a fresh $1 slice! And my nickname with most co-workers is "chip monster". It's my thinking food ;)

Jaime's Baked Yam & Leeks: 

• Ingredients: Yam, Leek, Oil, Rosemary, Salt & Pepper
• Prep: Wash, peel, and chop the yam in 1/2 inch cubes. Wash and chop the leek. Prepare a small baking pan.
• Directions: Place the cubed yam pieces, chopped leek, a dash of salt/pepper & rosemary & 3 tablespoons of olive oil in the pan and mix it all together so that everything gets soaked in the oil. 
• Let it marinate for 15 minutes while preheating the oven at 400 degrees.
• Place the pan in the oven for 15 minutes
• Then remove and flip the yam & leek combo and place it back in the over for another 15 minutes!

Voila yummy!

These are some of my unusual skills:  Shadow Play, Puppeteering, Aerially I work with Chandeliers, Lyra, Ropes, Silk Hammock, Bungee, Swinging Ladders. Prop wise I've worked with Exercise Balls, Ab Dollys, Pool Noodles, Bead Skirt, Totem Poles, Tire, Balloons, Water, Blacklight, Chairs, Segway. Basically I can make a dance apparatus out of anything I can climb or spin on!

I also play the piano. I garden as a hobby.

My primary dance training:  Ballet, jazz, modern, folk dance, hours and hours on the playground which is where my tendency to dance with apparatus and props comes from!

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