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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 2.5 years old, I have been dancing for roughly 11 years

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance at National College of Dance in Newcastle

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for approximately 3 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Currently I wear Bloch ‘Grace’ pointe shoes

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I first got involved in ballet as my older sister started dancing and it just looked like so much fun, and I really wanted to be apart of it.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favourite variation would either have to be Lilac fairy from Sleeping Beauty or Kitri act III from Don Q

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to work at the Royal Ballet, Paris Opera, Aussie Ballet or Sydney dance company

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

One of my favourite memories in dance would have to be performing with the Imperial Russian Ballet when they came to Australia with ‘The Nutcracker’ in 2016

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

Marianela Núñez and Dusty Button

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

“you know the steps, now you just need to dance them”

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

“don’t worry about being the best, worry about being the best version of yourself”

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

The best thing about being a ballerina would have to be the opportunities it’s opens up for you, the important skills and traits it teaches you for life and most importantly the feeling of freedom and expression when dancing

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

I would say the hardest thing about being a ballerina is the ability to gain confidence in yourself when you are always in a competitive environment. For me it’s also not having the idolised super archy feet or 180 degree turnout, that most teachers, judges or examiners look for.

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”?

There have been times when I thought doing something else might be what I wanted, especially when I would be going through an injury, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realised that dance is my passion and I cant see myself doing something non dance related in the future, I would simply miss it too much!

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutu

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

I have suffered serious posterior impingement injuries in both my ankles. I had surgery on 18 months ago to remove an extra bone from my right ankle and recently under went surgery, only a few days ago, for the same on my left

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

When I’m not dancing I love journaling and doing hand lettering. I also love riding horses, as my mum grew up with them and also baking yummy treats to fuel my body.