I recently had the chance to ask Ella Schnidler some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Ella is a phenomenal dancer, she graces the stage with incredible poise and beauty. Her love of ballet is infectious and outstanding. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started when I was 3 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance at National College of Dance

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been on pointe for 4 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear energetic’s Stella

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My best friend invited me to come to dance with her for fun and it snowballed from there

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Black swan is my favourite variation

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to work for Stuttgart or Paris opera

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

My favourite moment was when I won the Sydney eisteddfod 14 years classical ballet section

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

Marianela Nunz and Rudolf Nerayv

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

“Dance from your heart”

Q11: Advise you’d give a young version of yourself?

“You have a gift for dance it’s time to use it “

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

The best thing about being a ballerina is you can dance from your heart and the feeling of freedom and rush of joy that dancing brings

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The hardest thing about being a ballerina is finding confidence to dance from your heart and find to find joy in tiring repetitive practice

Q14: It seems like such hard work, did you ever have days growing up where you were like “ugh maybe I’ll just pick an easier career so I can be like a normal teenager”?

Yes when I had 3 months of dancing from an injury but dance is in my blood it is part of who I am and I have a fight like nothing else to follow my dream

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutu

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

Yes I have had a serious knee injury

Q17: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

I love to find a new adventure go explore the world I would always be outside I also love gardening and archery