Mikhail Baryshnikov Addresses the Northwestern Class of 2013 

What is amazing is this man was the undisputed best in the WORLD for ballet. To get to that level, imagine the discipline daily to achieve that level of excellence. He is in the less than 1% of all humans living on the planet where talent, discipline, passion and hard work paid off. And he is so humble about it!

What a GREAT GUY, he's a legendary GENIUS........

I stumbled upon this looking for some of his dance clips so I thought I’d listen to his speech. Time well spent! That was a beautiful message and delivered with humor and wisdom. Thank you Misha.

" 'Better' is more interesting than 'best'." Baryshnikov. Watching this may change lives and open new windows in hearts and minds.

Inspirational yet humble. Youth needs more of this approach. So beautifully delivered, Mikhail Baryshnikov: thank you

Amazing and timeless speech.

Incredibly brilliant, warmly inspiring, and an openly honest charge. His delivery is straight from the heart, infused with deep humility and his delightful sense of humor. The message is so beautiful and he’s as magnificently mesmerizing as his presence on stage.

Great speech. I love how Baryshnikov loves challenges.

My dad graduated Northwestern U. In physics. Great speech Misha. It seems clear from his insight here that that is what drove him. Keep striving to be better and build on it. Find what excites you and push yourself but don’t expect perfection. Great advice especially for this 21st century.

He's so damned cool.

What a wonderful speech!! I'll keep it for my niece. For me, after 20 years having finished university, was a an inspiring moment to rethink how is my daily life, how I am doing things. Thank you so much!!!!!

He really needs to write a book! He has such unique and intelligent insights! And with English not being his first language he actually uses English in a way that gives fresh perspective! Thank you Mikhail! 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️

Even before he came over, always had a high respect for this man.

Consistently challenging himself has brought him such reward

Really good speech. I wish I heard that growing up.

I really needed this today. Thank you, Misha

He Even brillianced here! Wonderful advice from a person with a life lived and with a different angle.

He’s an example of a real Mench!!! A real human being.

He cracks jokes in two languages and was the best dancer of his generation. And took up acting, teaching etc. The man is great

I hope this school keeps this up and posted for students of every year.

An Honor to watch & hear Mikhail speak with charm and humor. A living Dance Icon, a good man!! 🦅❤

👏👏👏👏My favorite Ballet dancer! Great speech Mikhail! I followed my dreams early on and took up Ballet and I play Bass in a Heavy Metal band.

All class

I find it so interesting to listen to people who have immersed themselves in the world of the arts. There is force, a momentum, a driving insight which encourages us to brave the unknown within us. This is a most inspiring speech by Mr Barishnikov and I thank him! It reminds me of an interview I watched with Maria Callas. When she asked Tullio Serafin ‘how do I know how to move?’ at certain phrases in an opera. His answer ‘every movement, every gesture is in the music.’ Madam Callas continued ‘You just have to listen with your ears with your mind and your soul. Everything is in the music’. Thank God for great composers. Thank God for the people who handed themselves over to the service of music and art. Thanks again Mr B 💖

What brilliance what intelligent wisdom what comedy I never expected all this but everything you said was spot-on and wise never had more respect for him than I do right now God bless you Miguel and your endeavors. I'm so impressed and in all of you not just as a dancer but your teachings I'm so proud of you.

Wonderful!

Much better graduation speech than mine and I was accepted at Northwestern.

Wonderful.

Mikhail Baryshnikov, you are BETTER than best. The graduates had ‘better’ have listened to your wise words. Bravo!

tthak you

Too good

Thank you, Mikhail Baryshnikov. If you were NOT aiming for wisdom in that speech- I'm afraid you failed. My Faith means everything to me, but if an artistic creation is good- I see God in there. Also flowers, sunsets, Saturn's rings,etc. To directly refer to your comment about being the Best versus being Better: A question popular in the Italian Renaissance was would you wish to be an Angel or a human? The answer was a human. An Angel is already perfect, but I can always keep learning and try to improve. God Bless

brief is better, 18 minuts and 29 seconds is very long sermon. Misha proved, he can preach in Jesusland.

Mikhail, you bow to no man . Plz and ty. That is so below you !

Mikhail for PRESIDENT... ......

Pensate di aver riso abbastanza oppure no!

Id like to now... he drinks water.

I t TROPPE INUTILI PAROLE