I recently had the opportunity to pose some questions to Tara Schiphof about her journey as a ballerina. She is an amazing dancer with real poise, grace and presence while dancing. She has a level of dedication to ballet that is unparalleled and which is evident. Below is her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

At the age of 2

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I dance at UNCSA

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I’ve been en pointe for 9 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Gaynor Minden

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mom put me in competition dance which had ballet classes

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Aurora wedding variation or Stars and Stripes lead

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

ABT or Boston Ballet

Q8: Do you have a favourite memory/moment in ballet?

The process of becoming the snow queen in the nutcracker

Q9: Who are your ballet roles models? Dancers that inspire you.

Isabella Boylston, Whitney Jensen, Beckanne Sisk, Gillian Murphy

Q10: Best advice you’ve ever received from a teacher?

“you can’t be anyone but yourself, so embrace it. If a company doesn’t like you for being yourself in your dancing, well you don’t want to dance for them anyways”

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutu

Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

I sell makeup products and part of the money contributed to a foundation partners with the makeup company that supports sexually abused women!