I had the chance recently to ask Maddie some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Maddie is a fantastic dancer, she takes to the stage with great poise and elegance. Her love for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 4 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance full time ballet at Tanya Pearson Academy

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I’ve been dancing on pointe for 5 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Grishko 2007 pro pointe shoes

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mum put me in gymnastics, jazz and ballet classes when I was younger, but I loved ballet the most

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I love the pizzicato variation from Raymonda.

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to dance with the Royal Ballet, Mariinsky ballet or Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company

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

My favourite ballet memory is performing many roles in the Nutcracker.

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

Alina Somova & Marianela Nunez are my biggest inspirations.

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

“We work so hard in the studio but no one can touch you on stage, so dance for yourself”

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

I would tell my younger self to be confident and not afraid to speak up and be yourself

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

The best thing about ballet is challenging yourself and the feeling of achieving something you’ve never done before.

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The discipline is the hardest thing about being a ballet dancer and having to push yourself when you are struggling the most

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”?

It is definitely hard but I never had the thought of quitting ballet as it had become such a big part of my life and I just couldn’t see how my life would be without it.

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutus are so gorgeous!

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

I don’t want to jinx it, but I have not yet experienced any serious injuries.

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

I love sketching, cooking and spending time with my family in my free time.