When Jack Hawn says “music and dance go hand in hand,” he's speaking from personal experience. A 16-year-old pre-professional student at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, he composed the music for a new ballet that premiered at the school's First Night performance, and which was choreographed by fellow student Caroline McDonald.
Hawn was born and raised in Detroit in a family where every kid found an instrument to enjoy playing. But, he says he's been a dancer since he was 4, after seeing dancing on PBS, including on “Sesame Street.” “Riverdance” was also a turn-on. But he gravitated toward ballet when he was older because he “loved the aesthetic it creates. It's beautiful. It's a whole world of its own.”
He lives at Byham Hall in Bloomfield, the residency for ballet school students. With three younger brothers, he's used to living with others, but likes the focused environment of Byham Hall and the way everyone helps each other get going in the morning.
The star who would play me in the movie version of my life:
I'd like to think a really young Ben Affleck.
Childhood hero:
Michael Flatley from “Lord of the Dance” and “Riverdance.” I thought he was the coolest guy and totally wanted to be him!
The superpower I wish I had in real life:
Teleportation. How cool would it be, chilling on a deserted Mediterranean beach by night and then living in the busy city by day?
Favorite brunch food:
My grandma makes the most killer coffee cake ever, and we have it for breakfast at every holiday gathering.
Something I would do over if I could:
I would have spent more time with my three brothers in the years before I moved to Pittsburgh had I known I would've only seldom got to see them. They are all younger: 14, 12 and 10. I secretly actually do like them!
Top thing on my “bucket list” to do before I'm gone:
I'd like to be involved in creating a full-length ballet: more specifically, writing the score and collaborating with someone in the creative and choreographic process! That's kind of a huge project, but it'd be an amazing experience and challenge!
In five years, I'd like to:
Be dancing and making music! Nothing would make me happier.
My favorite thing about Pittsburgh:
How culturally open it is.
Three people I'd love to have dinner with:
Tchaikovsky, Jack Johnson and my great-grandfather, whom I was named after!
My quirkiest inherited trait:
I've got a very distinct “Hawn nose.”
In high school, I was:
I'm still in high school! I'm in my junior year right now.
Celebrity crush:
Emilia Clarke. She's stunning. Plus, she has awesome pet dragons on “Game of Thrones.”
Exercise I hate most:
Running. Sometimes I try and convince myself that I like it, and I always end up hating myself afterward.
If I was auditioning for “American Idol,” my song would be:
“Space Oddity” by David Bowie. I was raised to be a Bowie fan.
If I could live my life as someone else, it would be:
A film score composer! That's one thing I would absolutely love to do.
The most-famous person I ever became friends with:
I have a friend named Diana Chen who was a Top 18 contestant on the Korean singing competition called “K-Pop Star” — the Korean version of “American Idol” or “The Voice.” She's got a big following in Korea.
My favorite sandwich,plus fixings:
I really love a Primanti Pitts-burger, with everything but the tomato.
TV marathon I could watch all day:
“Lost.” I have a big group of family and friends who are all emotionally attached to that show.
My most-treasured fashion accessory:
My grandfather's watch. He passed away before I was born, but I wear his watch almost every day; it's a very special thing!
The first band I saw in concert:
The J. Geils Band. My mom and all her siblings went to all of their concerts when they were my age. I went with all of them, and it was awesome to get that same experience!
The best concert I've ever seen:
It's not your normal concert, but Too Hot To Handel. It's a jazz version of Handel's “Messiah,” and it's just awesome.
My most-embarrassing junk food:
Conversation Hearts. All my friends think they taste like chalk, but I can't get enough of them, plus they're delightfully cheesy.
Favorite Pittsburgh-area landmark:
I have yet to get tired of hanging around Market Square, especially around performance time Downtown between shows or rehearsals!
I never travel without my:
Nothing specific, but I cannot leave anywhere without torrentially overpacking. It's a real problem.
My favorite website:
Right now, I really enjoy some good buzzfeed.com articles!!
Saturday mornings, you'll find me:
At the ballet studios taking class!
My first job:
Playing piano for ballet class at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School!
Life would be better without:
Cancer. It sucks the life out of people and their families.
Favorite guilty pleasure:
Anything “Phantom of the Opera.” I'm pretty sure I wanted to be the Phantom…
Movie I could watch every time it appears on cable:
Any of the Bourne Trilogy movies! They never get old!
If I could tour with any two bands, they would be:
Jack Johnson and Pink Floyd. Jack Johnson is just my favorite artist, plus he's an environmentalist and super eco-friendly and chill. I really love Pink Floyd's sound, too; it's so unique and almost sometimes ambient rock 'n' roll!
If I wasn't a musician-dancer, I'd be:
A film/television music supervisor: basically, the person who's in charge of finding and licensing music and composers for movies and TV!
People would be surprised to know that I:
Was born on Halloween! Jack-o'-Lantern seems like a fitting nickname, right?!
