I had the chance recently to ask Kayleigh van Kempen some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Kayleigh is an amazing dancer, she graces 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 in 2015/2016 and Rad grade 4 was my first exam

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance at the European School of Ballet in the Netherlands

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been on pointe since September 2017

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Merlet pointe shoes and Wear Moi.

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

Ballet was a requirement to be able to do competitions, and I really wanted to do dance with my friends (in a group) and do competitions

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

At the moment my favourite variation is paquita 4

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I’d love to work for any company in Europe or America

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

I have so many, but one of my best ones was going from Australia to the Netherlands to ESB to audition and getting accepted.

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

My teachers are my role models but actually so are my classmates because I see them all work so hard every day and we all strive to get better which inspires me to give it my best.

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

I have received so much amazing advice, but I think it would be to listen to my body, and believe in myself and work hard and write down my corrections after class and read them before the next class starts

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

I’d like to give my young self advice to always think before I do something

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

Everything; the dancing, the friends, the ballet world, I love it all.

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The hardest thing about being a ballerina is the amount of pressure that is on you; you need to try to be better then yesterday and sometimes your body just won’t listen as well as you would like 😉

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”?

No I have not

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

I like both tutus depending on what the style is. Sorry I can’t pick

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

When I went on points in sept 2017 soon after I developed Achilles Tendonitis, but that was it.

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

When I am not dancing I like to be with my friends and family