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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet at the age 4 with my local dance school

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance at The Australian Ballet School

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en point since I was eleven, so 3 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Bloch Heritage pointe shoes

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mum enrolled me in ballet classes in my local dance school

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favourite variation is the Flora variation from Awakening of the Flora

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to work for The Australian Ballet Company

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

My favourite ballet memory would have to be when I was cast to dance the role of Young Clara in Graeme Murphy’s Nutcracker The Story of Clara with The Australian Ballet company

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

My ballet role models are Amy Harris, Marianela Núñes, Evgenia Obraztsova and Maria Khoreva

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

Some great advise that I got from a teacher was to “make good use of every opportunity that comes your way”.

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

I would tell a young version of myself to “trust yourself and make sure you love it”

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

The best thing about being a ballet dancer is being able to have the opportunity to portray a character or tell a story on stage and perform it to an audience on stage.

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The hardest thing about being a ballet dancer is having the determination to push through something that’s hard

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”?

I have definitely had times where I just wanted to be a “normal teenager” but I have always been drawn back to ballet

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

I love both the classical and romantic tutu but I think I would have to go with the romantic tutu. I just has such a lovely feeling in a romantic tutu

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

I haven’t suffered a serious injury

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

When I’m not dancing I love to cook. I love to create something in the kitchen.