I recently had the chance to ask Hannah Lyons some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Hannha is an incredible dancer, she graces the stage with incredible poise and elegance. Her passion and dedication to ballet is phenomenal. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I did ballet for a short time when I was very little but started again when I was about 12 years old.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I am currently studying BA Modern Ballet at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. I previously trained at Valerie Smith Stage School and full-time at Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy in my hometown of Sydney, Australia.

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for around 6 years.

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Energetiks Sapphire pointe shoes and have previously worn Bloch and Capezio.

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I was taught very early on that classical ballet is the basis of all genres. I was already doing contemporary and jazz classes at my dance school and was very eager to start the eisteddfod competition groups. A requirement to join was that you had to do at least two ballet classes a week, so I signed up and have loved it ever since!

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favourite variations are Swanhilda Act 3 from Coppelia and Aurora Act 3 from The Sleeping Beauty.

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

This is a very hard industry and to work for any company would be such an honour but some of my favourite companies are Scottish Ballet and The Australian Ballet.

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

My favourite ballet memories are performing my classical variation at Sydney Eisteddfod and also performing on the Sydney Opera House stage alongside my closest friends.

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

My biggest inspirations are Lucinda Dunn and Marianela Núñez, because of their artistry and ability to make it look so effortless.

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

A piece of advice that I was told before a performance and have never forgotten was from my teacher, Lucinda Dunn and she said ‘All of the hard work is done, don’t try and out do what you do in the classroom’.

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical.

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

I love cooking, travelling, finding other ways to be creative and spending time with my friends and family.