I had the chance recently to ask Maidie Widmer some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Maidie is a phenomenal 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?

When I was four

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

The Australian Ballet School

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I think I began around 10 or 11 so 9ish years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I have custom made shoes from Bloch

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My grandma was a ballet dancer so it was always been in my blood but as a very energetic young kid it seemed like the best option

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Such such a hard question !! I love working on and dancing all the variations i’ve had the opportunity to have a go at, i love all the different styles in various variations ! A couple of my favourites though would have to be Raymonda Act 3, Raymonda Dream, Esmeralda, Paquita Principal and Auroras Wedding

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

Any company in the world would be a dream to dance with, simply having the opportunity to perform on stage is the dream. I’d be beyond thrilled to dance at The Australian Ballet, English National Ballet or The Royal Ballet (amongst many others)

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

Every moment I’ve ever stepped on stage, for me it’s just so special and in particular when i have someone special in the audience like a family member. Also just being able to spend that stage time with my friends and when you make eye contact on stage while both dancing with everything you’ve got

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

Growing up I looked up to the senior dancers of TAB as those were the first proper ballerinas i got to see on stage, dancers like Lana Jones and Madeline Eastoe. To me know every dancer is an inspiration, whether i’m watching them on YouTube, on stage or next to me in class, everyone is unique and brings something new to the table and there’s always something to learn and to be inspired from

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

I’ve had the opportunity to have incredible teachers and so many words of wisdom have stayed with me but if I had to single anything it it would be that it takes time to create yourself and the unique individuality of each dancer come from the discovery of what dancer you want to be, and that the best person to push yourself is yourself

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

Not to be too hard on myself and that these things take time. What will be will be and there are positives in every outcome if you look for them

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

Everything, in my opinion it has got to be one of the most rewarding, fulfilling and enriching career one can do The chance to move your body, creating beautiful shapes while also radiating emotion and taking an audience on a journey through intertwining your expression and movement, it’s the package deal !

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The constant strive for the unattainable goal of perfection

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”?

There’s definitely days when it’s harder to self motivate but I wouldn’t give up this incredibly precious and rewarding life and career for anything else in the world. I think working through these harder phases in life really affirm ones love for the art form and their dedication to it, it has for me

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical, it’s so iconic

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

I had a stress reaction in my lower back in 2018

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

I love to read, walk, yoga, spend time outdoors and paint as well as spend time with my friends and family