I recently had the opportunity to ask Charmaine Celesse some questions about her amazing journey as aballerina. Charmaine is an amazing dancer who graces the stage with poise, grace and elegance, her dedication and passion for ballet is unmatched. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 5, but didn’t like  it then, and only started taking it seriously when I was 8

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

Queensland National Ballet School

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

8 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Gaynor Mindens 💛

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mum took me to baby ballet classes when I was 5, but what made me really want to take ballet seriously was watching professional dancers for the first time when I was 6 or 7 and knowing that that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Oh this is a hard question, but if I had to choose… my top 3 would be Swan Lake pas de trois 2nd variation, Flames of Paris, and Grand Pas Classique

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

At the moment I have my eyes on Scottish Ballet and Melbourne City Ballet

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

My favourite memory would be performing and practising pas de deuxs with my best friend (who is now in MCB) and fooling around with him during breaks 😀

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

Natalia Osipova and Anna Tikhomirova, without a doubt

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

Don’t think too literally, think more about the bigger picture

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutu for sure

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

Since I’m doing full-time university on top of full-time ballet, my “free time” when I’m not dancing would be catching up on uni work and assignments. During my actual, but very little, free time, I usually go to the gym, do pilates, stretch, hang out with friends or sleep hahaha