Month: August 2018

Q&A With Australian Ballerina Primrose Kern

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I had the chance recently to ask Primrose Kern some questions about her amazing journey as a ballerina. Primrose is a phenomenal dancer, she takes to the stage with incredible poise and elegance. Her passion and dedication to ballet is outstanding. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started dancing when I was 3 years old.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance at Claudia Dean Coaching, Atelier Australia and The Dance Company.

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been on pointe for 6 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I first got involved as a tiny dancer just going to baby ballet class, my mum was a dancer and she thought I was terrible when I was younger so I just went for fun and here I amšŸ˜‚

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Aurora Act 3 or Swanhilda Act 3

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

Any company is a good company, so I don’t have a preference.

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

My favorite memory would be getting selected for the Prix De Lausanne and competing in Switzerland. It was the most amazing experience I have ever had

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

David Hallberg, Evgenia Obraztsova, Myriam Ould-Braham

Q10: Best advice youā€™ve ever received from a teacher?

Work Work and Work

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical all the way

Q12: What do you like to do when you arenā€™t dancing (your free time)?

Because I am a full time I don’t much spare time, so when I do I’m doing school work and spending time with my cat

Q&A With American Ballerina Jenna Turner

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I recently had the opportunity to ask Jenna Turner some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Jenna is an incredible dancer, she graces the stage with poise and elegance, her passion and dedication to ballet is unparalleled. There is no doubt that Jenna will be inspiring the next generation of daners to chase their dreams and strive for their goals like Jenna has. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started Ballet when I was 5 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I just ended my season with Huntsville Ballet in Alabama and am dancing in San Diego for the summer

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

Iā€™ve been on pointe for almost 8 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Gaynors

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mom was a dancer so it was just a passion of mine since I was little

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favorite variation is Dulcinea from Don Quixote

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

City Ballet of San Diego

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

My favorite moment in Ballet is dancing sugarplum pas de deux. The connection I had with my partner on stage was amazing and I felt grounded and secure knowing he was behind me. A good contrast to being on stage alone which can be very disorienting

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

My ballet role models are Sarah Lamb, Gillian Murphy and Whitney Jensen

Q10: Best advice youā€™ve ever received from a teacher?

Pretend you are grabbing a rope in your attitude turns

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical for sure!

Q12: What do you like to do when you arenā€™t dancing (your free time)?

I like taking pole fitness and aerial silks classes to work on my arms and core

Q&A With Canadian Ballerina Skylar Bainard

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I recently had the chance to ask Skylar Bainard some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Skylar is a phenomenal dancer, she graces the stage with incredible poise and grace, her passion and love for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 12 (kinda late)

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I dance in Toronto

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

Been en pointe for 4 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Gaynor Minden!

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I was actually picking between singing and dancing lessons, out of the blew I just decided to go for dancešŸ˜‚ Iā€™ve been dancing and choreographing for as long as I can remember though, always putting on ā€œshowsā€!

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favourite variation is Gamzatti act 2 variation from La Bayadere!

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

There are so many amazing companies Iā€™d love to work for! But in regards to my favourite companies that would have to be ā€œNational Ballet of Canadaā€, ā€œDutch National Balletā€ and ā€œAustralian Ballet Theatreā€!

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

I gain new favourite memories everyday! But a memorable one has to be winning first place contemporary at YAGP Toronto!

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

Iā€™m very inspired by Maria Alexandrova from Bolshoi Theatre, she is such a passionate and strong dancer. I also love Natalia Osipova, she truely gives everything in her performances. And Jurgita Dronina has to be another one of my favourites she always looks so confident on stage!

Q10: Best advice youā€™ve ever received from a teacher?

From a teacher I had at Bolshoi, ā€œ we dance because of our passionā€ this reminded me why I started in the first place šŸ’ƒšŸ»

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutus! They really make me feel like a true ballerina!

Q12: What do you like to do when you arenā€™t dancing (your free time)?

In my free time I actually like to continue to work on my body, I love going for runs, doing yoga, stretching! But I also like cooking up new recipes, reading, journaling, and a lil Netflix and YouTube šŸ˜!

Q&A With American Ballerina Caroline Powell

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I recently had the opportunity to ask Caroline Powell some questions about her jouney as a ballerina. Caroline is a fantastic dancer, she takes to the stage with incredible poise and elegance. Her passion and dedication to ballet is unmatched. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started dancing when I was two, but I seriously started to train in ballet at age ten

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I dance at The Dallas Conservatory

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for 5 years!

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Grishko 2007ā€™s

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I found my love for ballet after I attended my first summer intensive, abt young dancer in nyc when I was around ten. Iā€™ve always done ballet but from that point my love for the art started to grow.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

That is a very hard question but I would have to say Paquita etolie or Dulcinea from Don Quixote

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

My dream companies would have to be American Ballet Theater, The Royal Ballet, Or San Fransisco Ballet.

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

In 2013 at my old school I took a masterclass with Daniel Ulbricht with Lauren Lovette as his assistant. She stood next to me, gave me corrections and told me how much potential I had. She gave me hope and motivation, and now seeing where her journey has gone still gives me motivation.

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

A few dancers that inspire me include Isabella Boylston, Svetlana Zakharova, Olga Svirnova, Tiler Peck, and Laren Lovette. (All very different)

Q10: Best advice youā€™ve ever received from a teacher?

Donā€™t compare your journey to anyone elseā€™s

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Romantic tutu

Q12: What do you like to do when you arenā€™t dancing (your free time)?

In my free time i like to hang out with my friends and family, stretch, watch YouTube and Netflix, and Iā€™m currently trying to learn to play the ukulele.šŸ˜ŠšŸ˜‚

Q&A With New Zealand Ballerina Tessa Cockerton-Holmes

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I had the chance recently to ask Tessa Cockerton-Holmes some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Tessa is an excellent dancer, she graces the stage with elegance and poise, her love and passion for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 9

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

Chilton dance academy in Wellington and I am a local scholar and an associates with the New Zealand school of dance !

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

3 years now!

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Well I currently donā€™t have a favourite because I still havenā€™t found my perfect shoe yet… but I am wearing @capezio cambre and soon I will be trying a repetto shoe

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My sister started dancing and she just said it was really fun so I decided to do it as well!

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Gamzati šŸ˜

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would be so grateful to get into any company but one I really love is the royal ballet šŸ˜šŸ˜šŸ˜

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

Earlier this year I won the South Island ballet awards and it was such an amazing moment dancing on the Isaac theatre stage šŸŒŸ

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

Dusty Botton, Steven McRae basically all professional ballet dancers because that is what I aspire to be when I am older āœØ

Q10: Best advice youā€™ve ever received from a teacher?

Thatā€™s so tricky! I would have to say when dancing the technique has to be there but it is more about how you present yourself, where you place you arms and the expression through your body and face

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical, but they are both so beautiful šŸ˜

Q12: What do you like to do when you arenā€™t dancing (your free time)?

Relax, go for walks with my family, hang out with friends

Q&A With Australian Ballerina Kassidy Thompson

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I had the opportunity recently to ask Kassidy Thompson some questions about her incredible journey as a ballerina. Kassidy is a phenomenal dancer, she graces the stage with incredible poise and grace, her passion, dedication and love for ballet is unparalleled. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I stared at 10 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I just graduated from the John Cranko Ballet School

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I started pointe work when I was 12

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I am currently trialling different Freed Pointe shoes. But my normal shoes are Energetiks Sapfir and I love them!

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I think I always wanted to do some type of dance when I was little. After nagging my mum about it, I guess she just signed me up at the local dance school. I actually first really enjoyed dancing hip hop and then eventually found my passion for ballet.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

There are so many I would love to dance. But would love to dance as Manon! Would be a dream!

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

There are many companies in the world I would love to work with (anywhere that would take me really!) but would probably say Stuttgart Ballet, ABT, Wiener Staatsoper or Australian Ballet!

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

A highlight for me would definitely be my graduating performance with JCS. It was so exciting to dance a piece choreographed by Uwe Scholtz, but was really special to share the stage for the last time with my classmates.

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

hmmm this is quite a tough question! There are some many dancers who inspire me! 2 who come to mind are Marianela Nunez and AurƩlie Dupont. But I also would watch Friedemann Vogel dance any day!

Q10: Best advice youā€™ve ever received from a teacher?

I have received so much advice from so many incredible teachers. But I think an important thing as a dancer is to really show your passion while you dance. If you really give everything youā€™ve got and all your emotion depending on the role you dance, hopefully you can make the audience experience different emotions/feelings too. Happy, sad…Thatā€™s really a special thing.

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical

Q12: What do you like to do when you arenā€™t dancing (your free time)?

In my free time I love being with my friends and family. Cooking, going on adventures and especially love travelling to new places!

 

Q&A With Australian Ballerina Jade Mitchell

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I had the opportunity recently to ask Jade Mitchell some questions about her jounrey as a ballerina. Jade is an excellent dancer, she takes to the stage with incredible poise and elegance. Her passion and love for ballet is infectious. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

6 Years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS)

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

5 Years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Capezio (developƩ)

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

Begged my mum to take me to classšŸ˜‚

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Aurora act 3

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

The Royal Ballet, however I am open to all companies

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

Performing Waltz girl in Serenade

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

Marianela NĆŗƱez, Natalia Osipova & Alina Cojucaru

Q10: Best advice youā€™ve ever received from a teacher?

ā€˜Never be afraid to failā€™

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutu

Q12: What do you like to do when you arenā€™t dancing (your free time)?

I love cooking healthy recipes, walking, hanging out with friends!

Q&A With Australian Ballerina Ella Roper

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I had the chance recently to ask Ella Roper some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Ella is an amazing dancer, she graces the stage with incredible poise and grace, her passion and dedication for ballet is unmatched. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 3.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently train full time at Tanya Pearson Academy.

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been dancing en pointe for almost 5 years.

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Bloch pointe shoes in the styles ā€˜Graceā€™ and ā€˜Serenade Strongā€™.

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I first got involved in ballet as a way to improve my social skills with other kids in preparation for school.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favourite variation would definitely have to be either Black or White Swan – I love them both!

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I don’t mind where – as long as I’m dancing I am happy, but if I had to choose Iā€™d love to be in the Royal Ballet, English National, American Ballet Theatre or Paris Opera just to name a few of my favourites.

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

I love the feeling of dancing on stage and whenever I nail an exercise in class.

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

My ballet role models are Sylvie Guillem, Svetlana Zakharova, Natalia Osipova, Maria Khoreva, Alina Somova, Iana Salenko, Yasmin Naghdi, Marianela NĆŗƱez and Diana Vishneva.

Q10: Best advice youā€™ve ever received from a teacher?

One of my teachers told us that the work we put in is what weā€™ll get out which inspires me to work harder and always give 110%.

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

I love both as they suit different things but prefer classical tutus.

Q12: What do you like to do when you arenā€™t dancing (your free time)?

In my spare time I like to read, watch movies, cook, draw, walk, take photos and do pilates.

 

Q&A With Canadian Ballerina Victoria Wardell

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I had the chance recently to ask Victoia Wardell some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Victoria is an excellent dancer, she graces the stage wtih real poise and grace, her passion and love for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

Technically, I began dancing when I was six, but I didnā€™t start focusing or working hard at ballet until I was about eleven. Before that, ballet was really just something I did for fun after school.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance at The School of Cadence Ballet.

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe since I was twelve, so five years.

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Grishko Mayaā€™s and I absolutely love them.

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

By always dancing down the sidewalk even before the age of two, causing my mother to decide to put me in dance classes šŸ˜‰

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Thereā€™s so many to choose from! Although I would have to say that I absolutely love Raymonda, the dream variation in act 2.

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

Teatro alla Scala is my dream company.

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

I have so many itā€™s hard to choose. Probably the feeling after New York finals at YAGP, just because afterwards I came off the stage and I was shaking from emotion, I was so into the character and I really just danced for myself, not for anyone else. It had been awhile since I felt that.

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

Marianela Nunez as well as Evgenia Obraztsova are two of my favourites, but honestly there are so many gorgeous dancers out there, and they are all inspiring in different ways.

Q10: Best advice youā€™ve ever received from a teacher?

ā€œDonā€™t worry about the fact that you have to do the turns, before you actually do the turns, just do them and then work with what you have.ā€ Although this particular quote applies to turns, I have taken it with me into every step. I often over think things to the point that I mess them up just because Iā€™m thinking so hard about doing it right, so this really helps me get past that.

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Honestly, I like both. Romantic tutus have a softer look and are often more peasant related, whereas classical tutus are often princess like and delicate but in a very different way then romantic tutus, so I like them both for different reasons.

Q12: What do you like to do when you arenā€™t dancing (your free time)?

I love reading and talking with friends. But most of my spare time I spend with Katie, my adorable 8 year old sister.

Q&A With American Ballerina Jessica Conniff

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I had the opportunity recently to ask Jessica Conniff some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Jessica is a phenomenal dancer, she graces the stage with incredible poise and grace. Her passion and dedication for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started as a competition dancer at 3 years old but I started serious ballet training at 8.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

Iā€™m starting as a company dancer with San Diego Ballet in September

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

Iā€™ve been on 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 one sister was interested in ballet before I was. There was only one good school near my house about 45 minutes away so my mom brought all three of us, me and my two sisters, and after my first class I was hooked

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I have a couple favorites but recently Iā€™ve been working on third shade from La Bayadere

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

Iā€™m a strong believer in everything happens for a reason but I really just want to end up in a company where I get a lot of opportunity and thereā€™s a strong family atmosphere within the company

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

One of my favorite ballet moments was my first time on the MET stage when I was in ABTā€™s school. I got to dance as a willie in Giselle in the 75th anniversary spring gala.

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

Stella Abrera is so technically and artistically beautiful and an overall amazing human being. Also Francesca Hayward and Lauren Cuthbertson just a few of all the beautiful ladies we are lucky to have in the ballet world!

Q10: Best advice youā€™ve ever received from a teacher?

I think one of the greatest things Iā€™ve learned is quality over quantity. In every aspect of ballet itā€™s important because the audience doesnā€™t care if you do 7 pirouettes and fall out of it for example! The beauty is in the quality of the movement!

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

I like all types of tutus but I think I prefer classical!

Q12: What do you like to do when you arenā€™t dancing (your free time)?

When Iā€™m not dancing I love hanging out with my friends trying new restaurants or shopping! I also love Pilates and am working on getting my license so I can teach!