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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 3 but I started seriously focusing on it at age 10.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I dance in Bellevue, WA under the direction of Ms Deborah Hadley and Ms Amy Thompson

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I started en pointe a little before I turned 11, so about 2.5 years now

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Nikolay Maya 1 Pros

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I started out at a competition studio where I took almost all dance styles, including ballet and the summer I turned 10 I decided I wanted to focus more seriously on ballet and left for a pre-professional ballet program

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Right now it’s La Esmeralda but I change my mind a lot. 😆

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

My dream companies are Pacific Northwest Ballet and Houston Ballet.

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

That’s really hard. My favorite memories are probably my first time performing en pointe in the Nutcracker and also last year at WBAC in Seattle when I placed first for my contemporary solo and first for my pas de deux with my friend Devin

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

Deborah Hadley, Tanaquil Le Clercq, and Isabella Boylston

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

To not ever expect things to be handed to me and to always work hard in every combination and in every class

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

Well, I’m only 13 so I’m still taking advice from people older than me. But I think if I were going to give advice to someone even younger than me it’d be to not compare yourself to anyone around you

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

So many things! One of my favorite things is that I get to be an artist with my movement and character, not just during performances but every day in classes

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

In my opinion the hardest part of ballet is trying to get every movement as perfect as you can and make no mistakes

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”?

So far I haven’t really had that feeling. When I do think about the fact that I won’t really get to be a “normal” teenager, it doesn’t bother me because I am just trading that in for a different type of experience that not many teenagers get to have

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutu

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

Luckily no, not yet

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

I really like to draw and spend time with my family and friends.