I had the opportunity recently to ask Samantha Wong some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Samantha is a phenomenal dancer, she takes to 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, this is my 11th year

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance fulltime at Alegria Dance Studios in Sydney

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

For 5 years, I got my first pair when I was 11

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently alternate between Bloch Aspirations and Bloch Synthesis

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mum enrolled me in all the sports and I ended up liking Gymnastics and Ballet the most.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

There are so many variations that I love but my 2 favorites would be Cupid from Don Quixote and the 1st Shade variation from La Bayadere

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to work for any company that will take me because of how competitive and tough the ballet world is….however it would be a dream to dance with the Royal Ballet London and the Australian Ballet

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

I’ve had so many great moment and memories in ballet but the one that stands out the most would be dancing with the Australian Ballet when I was 10 for their Nutcracker season in Sydney. It was such a unique fun experience being on stage with so many amazing professional dancers and performing for a large audience at the Sydney Opera House

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

My fellow classmates, Ako Kondo, Skylar Brandt, Benedicte Bemet and many more !

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

One of my teachers once told me to enjoy the time on stage because you’ve done all the hard work in the studio

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

I would tell my younger self to enjoy the moment and trust the process

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

The best thing about being a ballerina is getting to do what I love everyday, striving towards near perfection and performing on stage

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The hardest thing about being a ballerina would be moving away from home for further opportunities such as accepting an offer at an overseas school

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”?

Definitely! There are days when you don’t feel like doing ballet and you start to wonder what it would be like if you didn’t choose ballet but I always remind myself of the thrill and rush when I’m on stage and it makes me love ballet again.

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

I love both but classical!

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

Yes, earlier this year I tore a ligament in my knee that took me out for 6 weeks. Luckily I had some very supportive teachers and friends that made the 6 weeks go super fast.

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

Since I’m always dancing, I don’t have heaps of free time. When I do, most of the free time is spent doing school work or watching my favourite tv series – Grey’s Anatomy.