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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet at 3 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I train at Academy of Balletic Arts and Forte Dance Academy

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for 6 years, I got my first pair at 10 years old

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Russian Pointe Rubin Radiance

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I used to watch my older sister in ballet class and always wanted to join in but wasn’t allowed to start classes until I was 3

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I love the Tchaikovsky PDD variation

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to work for English National Ballet or Joffrey but I’d be grateful to work for any company

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

My favourite dance memory is dancing with London Children’s Ballet at the West End

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

Marianela Núñez and Alina Cojocaru

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

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard

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

Don’t listen to the people who told you that you weren’t good enough

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

Getting to meet people who share the same passion

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

Trying to balance school work and dance

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”?

Never, I’m lucky that most my friends are very supportive of me dancing

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Both I love them equally for many different reasons

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

Luckily I haven’t had a serious injury

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

When I’m not dancing I’m running my own business @_floralbunsco