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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was six years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently attend Queensland National Ballet

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I started pointe when I was 12 years old when I was attending En point School of Ballet

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear grishko 2007 pointe shoes, after trying on all of the styles through the years I am in love with these shoes

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

When I was younger I started walking on my toes and my parents decided to take me to my first ballet class. I absolutely hated it and didn’t want to listen to my teacher and went on to swim. A couple of years later my mum put me back into a class when I was 6 and oddly enough I loved it and have been doing to ever since

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

It is so hard to decide which my favourite variation is, I love so many of them. To narrow it down my top three favourites would have to be 3rd Odalisque variation from Le Corsaire, lilac fairy from sleeping beauty and Queen Of Dryads from La Byadere

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would say my favourite companies would have to be either Australian ballet or Houston ballet

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

My favourite memory would be when my ballet school got chosen to perform in the Opera house last year for the Sydney eisteddfod Finals

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

My all time favourite dancer who inspires me the most would have to be Marianela Nunez! She is beautiful and such an inspiration to watch

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

The best advice I have ever received from a teacher would be that you should always work harder then you did the day before, always continue to be the best person of yourself and keep inspiring yourself

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

I would tell my younger self to not be afraid of leaping out of my comfort zone and push the limits. I would also tell myself to never give up and that I’m capable of so much

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

The best thing about being a ballerina is that I get to wake up and do what I love everyday and that there is always something to work for

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The hardest thing about being a ballerina is trying to push aside all of the hard mental aspects and how tough it is on your body and mind

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”?

I have had quite a few days and sometimes months where I would doubt myself and if I should make this a career, but through all of those hard days I’m so thankful I never gave up

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Romantic! There is something about the way they move through some movements that is absolutely stunning

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

so far I haven’t had any major injury (knock on wood!!) I have had a few rolled ankles and inflamed feet but nothing a little bit of ice and cream can’t fix

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

I usually spend my free time with friends, working or trying to get as much rest as possible. I also enjoy drawing and try to make a habit of that. :))