I had the opportunity recently to ask Zara Daisy some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Zara is an excellent dancer, she takes to the stage with grace and elegance. Her love for ballet is phenomenal. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I originally started ballet when I was 2, but hated so much that I quit, but after watching my sister dance I really wanted to try it out again at a different studio. So I did and absolutely loved. ( I was ten at the time when I started back up)

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I dance with Fiona Haines dance Academy and I am also a scholar and associate with New Zealand school of dance

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for 2 years now

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I am currently wearing Capezio Donatella and I love them so much

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I first got involved with ballet by watching my sister at her end of year show and that was when I decided I was going to be a ballerina and dance on stage in front of thousands of people

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I love the variation Pharaoh’s daughter because the music is so gorgeous I could honestly listen to it all day! And the dance is so much fun to do and look so elegant from the audience. ( I have too do two parts to this message but it’s too long to send in one)

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to dance in any company but if I got to choose I would definitely dance with the Royal Ballet. I would love to dance with the Royal Ballet because the first ever ballet I watched was from the royal ballet so being able to dance there would me feel like I truly have accomplished my dream

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

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

My ballet role model would definitely be Maria Khovera because not only is she amazing but she started dancing professionally with the Mariinsky Theatre when she was only 18 years old

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

The best advice I’ve received from a teacher would probably be “ things don’t just change over night it takes time! So even if you only improve 1% each day by the end of the year you’ve improved 365%”

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

Some advice I’d give my younger sled would probably be “ you don’t have to dance everyday, you are allowed days off to rest your body” I would tell myself this because last year I would always be doing as much ballet as I could but it was only making me more tired, so I wasn’t improving

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

The best thing about being a ballerina would be all the hard work that goes into your dancing because the feeling of accomplishing your goals and dreams is the best feeling in the world and makes dancing so much more enjoyable

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The hardest thing about being a ballerina would probably be those days where you feel like everything is going wrong. Those are the days we’re I compare myself to others and think how come the are so talented and I’m not

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”?

Yes I most definitely did and still do “when you have bad days you just need to learn to rest and not quit because there are going to be better days.” When ever I have bad days I always think about this quote and it really helps me

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

I love classical tutus because they are so beautiful on stage and make me feel like I’m a proper ballerina when I wear them

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

I have not suffered from a bad injury! The worst injury I’ve had was when I broke my finger doing a pirouette! But lucky for me the recovery didn’t stop me from dancing

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

In my free time I love to go on bike rides with my siblings especially going on the BMX track!