I recently had the opportunity of asking Anastasia Cheplyansky some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Anastasia is a wonderful dancer owns the stage when she dances and dances so effortlessly and elegantly. Anastasia’s dedication to ballet is unmatched. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I don’t know if this counts, but I started dancing in front of a TV when my mom first showed me “Swan Lake”. I wasn’t enrolled in an actual ballet school until I was five though.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance at Bayer Ballet Academy.

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I’ve been on pointe for 7 years now.

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I’ve been switching between Grishko pointe shoes and Gaynor Mindens.

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mom showed me a video of The Royal Ballet performing Swan Lake.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I can’t choose a favorite variation. I love so many of them.

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I’d love to work for Atlanta Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Berlin State Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and many more.

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

I don’t really have a particular favorite moment in ballet, but some of my favorite memories are from late night private lessons with my teachers or from sharing the stage with some of my closest friends.

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

Natalia Osipova, Evgenia Obraztsova, and Nadja Saidakova are my main dance role models.

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

You have to be the hardest working person in the room in order to keep improving. No one was born a great dancer. They had to work to where they are now. Believe that you’re capable of pushing your own boundaries and start working.

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical

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

I love anything that involves learning. I love reading books (especially mystery & detective novels), learning about psychology and criminology, researching, and writing. I also really enjoy spending time with friends, cooking, doing yoga, or just relaxing and watching a good TV show.