I had the chance recently to ask Lara Tessier some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Lara is an excellent dancer, she graces the stage with grace and beauty. Her love for ballet is amazing. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 3 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I have just moved to Birmingham, England to start training at Elmhurst Ballet School, second year of the upper school

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I think for around 5-6 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Grishko 2007

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My older sister did ballet and so my parents put me into it

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I love so many but maybe auroras variation from act 1 and paquita variations 1 and 6.

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to get into a classical based company

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

I have so many amazing memories I couldn’t just choose one! I think just performing along side all my friends and the lead up to performing a big work is so exciting and I’ve really enjoyed things like that.

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

I love Melissa Hamilton, Sharni Spencer, Akane Takada, Marianela Núñez, Maria Khoreva, I am inspired by my teachers and my class mates and so many more!

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

All my teachers throughout my life have all been so amazing, I think them just being so supportive all the time is the best advice they can give me.

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

You’re on your own journey and have to focus on you and your training and not comparing yourself to the other people in your class and around the world

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

Ballet is so difficult and so I think the best thing is when you achieve something that you’ve worked so hard on to achieve!

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

I think not only is ballet physically hard it’s also very mentally hard, the constant comparison to the other dancers and the frustration when you are trying so hard to accomplish something and it’s just not working out

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”?

It is very hard, and some days I get extremely tired but I don’t think I’ve ever thought of stopping. I guess once I knew I wanted to dance seriously and try and make a career out of it I could never imagine myself not dancing

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical Tutu!

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

I am extremely lucky to have never had any serious injuries, just a few little ones

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

I love spending time with friends, doing some Pilates, baking and experimenting with food and different recipes, and I love travelling!