I had the opportunity recently to ask Caroline Sowers some questions about journey as a ballerina. Caroline is a phenomenal dancer, she graces the stage with incredible poise and elegance. Her passion for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was three!

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I am training at San Diego Academy of Ballet as well as the University of Utah’s ballet program

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

Over 7 years! I went on pointe when I was 10.

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Russian Pointe Rubins!

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mom put me ballet classes, and I loved it!

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

There are so many beautiful ones, but my favorites are Esmeralda and the Raymonda dream variation.

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I attended Tulsa Ballet’s summer intensive last year, and I would absolutely love to be a part of Tulsa Ballet! But it would be a dream to dance with any company!

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

One of my most special memories is dancing Sugar Plum Fairy last year in the Nutcracker!

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

One of my role models is Lori Hernández, who graduated from my studio and danced with Oklahoma City Ballet. Other dancers that inspire me are Evgenia Obraztsova, Maria Khoreva and Alina Somova

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

My teacher, Sylvia Tchernychev, has given me so much advice over the years. One piece of advice was to look at good smaller companies because I could have more opportunities to dance

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

I would tell a younger version of myself to relax and focus on the exercises during class. I would be so negative with myself about the things I couldn’t do or what I saw in the mirror, and instead I should have put that energy into working as hard as a could!

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

The best thing is being able to perform onstage in solos or pas de deuxs! Performing in roles such as Sugar Plum and Paquita is magical, and the feeling onstage is pure happiness!

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The hardest thing for me is class. That is mostly where I can feel like I’m not good enough. Because I am just focusing on technique, I often don’t enjoy class as much as rehearsals where I feel like I can really dance!

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 never wanted to quit, but I sometimes had days when I was younger where I felt like I wasn’t improving and just wanted a break from staring at myself in the mirror

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

I think both are gorgeous, but I have to say classical!

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

Thankfully I have not

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

In my free time I like to read, watch a movie or spend time with family and friends!