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