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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 5 and have loved it ever since!

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I am a Senior student at Ballet Theatre Australia in Melbourne

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I started pointe at 10, so six years now

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I have custom Bloch pointe shoes that are a mix of the the Bloch Balance European and the Bloch Euro-stretch

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My older sister does ballet too. I used to watch her dance when I was really young and decided it was what I wanted too

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

The Crystal Fountain fairy variation from Sleeping Beauty

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

My Dream companies are the Bolshoi and the Australian Ballet

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

One of my favourite ballet memories is performing a Paquita variation in front of a Russian Ballet Company

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

Maria Khoreva and Diana Vishneva are two of my favourite ballet dancers

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

Trust yourself

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

Stop caring so much about how others see you, focus on yourself

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

Definitely being able to express myself without words

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

Mental, physical and emotional fatigue

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”?

Many times. I actually quit ballet when I was 6 and again when I was 10. I really found my love for it again when I was 11

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

For me romantic. I feel less like a toilet brush ahaha

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

I have. Recently, actually. I had a benign tumour removed from my knee in late January and the tumour caused some nerve damage. I was in a wheelchair and then a metal brace for several months. I’m still doing rehab at the moment but I’m able to do classes and jumps 🙂

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

I like sewing, songwriting and other crafty things. I can’t sing though (I sound like a dying cockatoo)