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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

At the age of 3

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

At the ABT JKO School

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

For 9 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I where Grishkos

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My older sisters did ballet

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

That’s a hard one. I don’t really have a favorite but some that I like are Swan Lake Odette Act 2, Swanilda from Coppélia, and Giselle Act 1 variation

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

ABT has always been my dream company

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

A couple highlights were performing in the ABT’s 2019 summer intensive, performing Odette in Hunterdon Hills Ballet’s 2019 Spring Show, and performing the Sugarplum Fairy for Hunterdon Hills Ballet’s Nutcracker

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

I have a lot but to name a few I love watching Hee Seo, Skylar Brandt, Maria Khoreva, Sarah Lane, and Catherine Hurlin

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

I’ve gotten a lot of good advice from all my teachers. The one I think of at the moment is, “Dance like your expensive,” – Robert La Fosse

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

Don’t hold back. Give it your all.

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

Performing and seeing your progress

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The long hours of classes which was especially hard during quarantine

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”?

Yes when I was little I actually didn’t like ballet

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Romantic

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

No. But I do have shin splints that can get really painful sometimes

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

I love spending time with my family while watching movies or playing board games, I crochet sometimes or work on a craft, and I love taking a tub or anything relaxing.