I had the opportunity recently to ask Isabella Luppo some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Isabella is an amazing dancer, she graces the stage with incredible poise and elegance. Her dedication to ballet is phenomenal. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when i was just 2 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance at Encore Dance Studio in Michigan

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been on pointe for 6 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Russian Pointe

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mom danced professionally when she was younger and decided to open a dance studio, so she put me in dance right after I could walk

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favorite variation would have to be kitri act 3, I love it so much but there are so many to pick from

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

My dream company is ABT, I’ve always wanted to dance professionally in New York and I am so inspired by Isabella Boylston

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

I don’t really have a specific moment but I just love being able to improve and grow with all of the dancers around me and getting so close to my dance family

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

Isabella Boylston, Misty Copeland, Sascha Radetsky, and James Whiteside

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

You should never compare yourself to other dancers, you should only compete with your past self

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

The advise is would give my younger self is that I wish I wouldn’t have stressed out about so many auditions and performances and just have fun!

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

For me the best thing about being a ballerina is that I have learned discipline and being very coordinated because many people wish they could have went through strict training that ballerinas went through

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The hardest thing is definitely the amount of hours you spend at the studio each week.

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”?

All of the late nights and dedication you put into everything there were so many nights when I had doubts and struggles about my ballet career. Especially when I got into high school, my friends would hang out every night, go to football games, and just live their life as a normal teenager and have fun while I was at the studio every night

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

I haven’t had a very serious injury but I have torn many ligaments in my toes and torn many muscles and the recovery process takes a while. You have to make sure you’re icing your injury multiple times a day and giving it proper care

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

On my free time I really enjoy playing the ukulele, I am not very good but I love learning new songs