I had the chance recently to ask Jessica Eksteen some questions about her incredible journey as a ballerina. Jessica is an excellent dancer, she graces the stage with real poise and grace, her passion and dedication for ballet is phenomenal. Below are her responses.
Q1: When did you start ballet?
I started ballet when I was 7 years old
Q2: Where do you currently dance?
I train full time at the Sydney college of dance
Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?
I have been en pointe for 4 years and I did 1 year of pre pointe
Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?
Currently I wear the grishko maya 1 pointe shoes but I have gone through many other brands as well
Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?
My friend started dancing and I really wanted to do it with her, so I joined ballet with her
Q6: What is your favourite variation?
My favourite variation would have to be Kitri act III the wedding scene from Don Quixote
Q7: What company would you love to work for?
I would love to be in the Hamburg Ballet or Dresden Ballet or the Netherlands dance theatre, I think these companies are amazing
Q8: Do you have a favourite memory/moment in ballet?
My favourite memory would have to be when I saw Misty Copeland perform Aurora in sleeping beauty in Australian Ballet last year, she was absolutely breathtaking
Q9: Who are your ballet roles models? Dancers that inspire you.
My ballet role models/inspirations would have to be misty Copeland, Gillian Murphy, Iana Salanko, Sylvia Guillem and of course Marianela Nunez, I think these dancers are absolutely incredible
Q10: Best advice you’ve ever received from a teacher?
The best advice a teacher has ever given to me would be to believe in yourself just as much as you would in others
Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?
I love classical tutus but I also love romantic tutus but if I had to pick I would say classical tutus
Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?
I love to sketch and paint in my free time I especially love sketching things around me and of nature, but I also try to stretch and roll out in my free time as well
Categories: Ballet