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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I was 3! I started training seriously at 14

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

San Francisco Ballet School

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

Since I was 11 so 6 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Russian pointe Rubin radiance

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mom is actually a ballet teacher and owned a studio at the time so it was kinda destined that I would be a dancer haha

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

La Esmeralda! I think it’s from act one scene two. it’s not the one with the tambourine it’s with castenets!

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

San Francisco ballet or The Royal Ballet

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

I didn’t really have an exact moment but the feeling

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

Dancers that inspire you. So many but here are a few of my faves. Sasha de sola Marianela Nunez Yasmine naghdi Celine Gittens

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

To be you and believe in your self ! Sounds easy but it helps a lot if you relax and perform

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

To stop comparing your self to others, everyone is on their own path

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

Definitely performing for an audience! I love the silence in the theatre when you are dancing and feeling the audiences energy in the room it’s just magical!!

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

For me it’s always trying to stay in shape, especially with the whole dancing at home quarantine situation that is going on. Convincing yourself to keep training, strengthening, stretching, and eating well when you don’t know when your next performance will be is very tough

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 all the time! When I was going to regular school and had friends in the “normal teenager” world I thought about that a lot. I just could never imagine my life without ballet and when I realized that I knew I had to keep working hard on my dream

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Ooo tough choice! I think I have to say classical just cause it seems like a classic ballet look 🙂

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

No I haven’t, I’ve been really lucky. I do get the occasional little injury but nothing to serious

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

I really love playing just dance on my Nintendo Switch haha. And also in the summer I like to go jet skiing! Other than that I like to spend time out side with family, friends, and pets!!