Category: Ballet

Q&A With American Ballerina Ava Swiet

By on • ( Leave a comment )

I had the opportunity recently to ask Ava Wiet some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Ava is an amazing dancer, she graces the stage with poise and elegance. Her love for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started when I was two!

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I dance at Long Beach Ballet

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for 3 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Gaynor mindens

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

 went to watched the Long Beach Ballet Nutcracker when I was two and I fell in love and have been dancing at Long Beach Ballet ever since

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favorite variation is Paquita 2 which i will be performing at Youth American Grand Prix

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to go to Master Ballet Academy or ABT when I’m older

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

My favorite memory in ballet was performing my variation at YAGP for the first time

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

My ballet role model is definitely @ava_arbuckle because she is such an inspiration to me and she is a gorgeous dancer

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

The best inspiration I have been told by my coaches is to keep persevering because It’s going to be rough at times but you just have to keep going!

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

Advice I would give to my younger self is to not care what anyone thinks and do what makes you happy because there are always going to be people trying to bring you down but you but you have to brush it off and keep being your self

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

The best thing about being a ballerina is that it’s the only art for that you are dancing on your toes and I think it is so unique and cool

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The hardest thing about being a ballerina (for me)is definitely dealing with my perfectionism because I want to do everything right but that not realistic

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”?

Everyone has days when they feel unmotivated but you have to remember what you are working for

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classic!

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

I dislocated my knee when I was 11

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

Stretching and swimming

Q&A With Australian Ballerina Maidie Widmer

By on • ( Leave a comment )

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

Q&A With Australian Ballerina Lara Tessier

By on • ( Leave a comment )

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!

Q&A With Brazilian Ballerina Letícia Fernandes

By on • ( Leave a comment )

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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started when I was 4 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I study at the State Ballet School of Berlin

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I’ve been en pointe since I was 9 years old

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Gaynor Minden point shoes

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mom put me in a Ballet school and since this I love ballet!!

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favorite variations are The Pharaoh’s Daughter and Walpurgis Night

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I don’t know yet which company I would like to join

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

All memories I have since I came to my ballet school are special to me! I can’t choose one

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

My role models are Marianela Nuñes, Aurora Dickie and Mayara Magri

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

“In your life no one will encourage you, you need to be the one who encourages yourself to do it better.”

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

 I would say to never give up your dreams and it doesn’t matter what the others say.

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

I love being a ballerina because I can express myself without words, just with our bodies

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

We suffer a lot with our bodies shape, weight and health

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”?

I think we all already have these days when we just think we are not good enough and we just want to give up. But doesn’t matter the day we can’t give up, otherwise our hard work will just despair

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

I really love romantic tutus!

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

Yes. Once I broke my left foot and I have knee problems

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

I like to draw, to go shopping with my friends and I also like to dance other dance styles!

Q&A With Australian Ballerina Zoe Brady

By on • ( Leave a comment )

I had the chance recently to ask Zoe Brady some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Zoe is a phenomenal dancer, she graces the stage with incredible 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 10 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I am currently in my third year of training at the English National Ballet School

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been dancing on pointe since I was 12, so for about 7 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear freed pointe shoes

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I first started ballet when my dance teacher invited me to take classes to improve my technique for other genres. But when I was younger I was always dancing around the house wearing tutus and ballet slippers, so it was meant to be

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favourite variation is probably Odette

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

 I would love to work for any company, all I want is to be able to perform on stage.

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

I really enjoyed rehearsing one of the stepsisters from Cinderella, the character is very fun to play with

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

I feel like ballet would not be ballet without Marianela Nunez. I also love Beatriz Stix-Brunell and Yasmine Naghdi

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

Work for yourself

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

You are so special, don’t be afraid to be different. Be true to who you are

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

We get to dress up in the most beautiful costumes, dance to beautiful music and perform for an audience

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

Making sure we take care of our mental health, it’s so easy to fall into a downward spiral of negativity as we continuously strive for 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”?

Everyone has their days that are tougher than others, but I’ve never wanted to stop dancing. Having a close circle of friends who can relate and be there for you is so important

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

I love both!

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

No, I’ve never had a serious injury

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

In my free time I love reading, doing yoga and exploring new places with friends

Q&A With American Ballerina Charlotte Borden

By on • ( Leave a comment )

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.

Q&A With Australian Ballerina Charley Jennings

By on • ( Leave a comment )

I had the chance recently to ask Charley Jennings some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Charley is an amazing dancer, she graces the stage with incredible poise and elegance. Her passion for ballet is phenomenal. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet at the age of three

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently train at the Annette Roselli Dance Academy in the elite training program

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe since I was 12 so 4 years!

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Grisko 2007’s

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I first got involved with ballet because I told my mum I wanted to be like Angelina ballerina!

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My all time favourite variation would have to be Raymonda dream variation or Giselle

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to work for any ballet company as it is such an honour to be able to get into a company!

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

My favourite moments/ memories in ballet are performing on stage and meeting my amazing friends for the first time!

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

My ballet role model would have to be Marianela Núñez!

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

The best advice I have ever received from a teacher is that you do not have to be born with talent or anything going for you as long as you work hard and have a good mindset you can achieve greatness

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

I would tell my younger self to not compare myself to other as we are all on different roads to different destinations

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

The best thing about being a ballerina is seeing all the blood sweat and tears pay off when you perform. It is such an amazing feeling!

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The hardest thing about being a ballerina is always wanting to be perfect and knowing that nothing will ever be perfect in ballet!

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”?

Some days are extremely tough in ballet! Some days you are sore and exhausted and getting out of bed is very tough but I have never had a second thought about wanting to become a professional ballet dancer it has always been my goals no matter how exhausted I was or are.

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Both are so stunning! If I had to pick I would say classical.

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

I have suffered two serious injuries being a broken ankle and a dislocated knee! Luckily I had many people around me supporting me to recover and become stronger then ever!

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

I love spending time with my friends and family when I’m not dancing as through the week I am so busy!

Q&A With American Ballerina Kelsey K

By on • ( Leave a comment )

I recently had the chance to ask Kelsey some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Kelsey is a phenomenal dancer, she takes to the stage with incredible poise and elegance. Her passion for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet at the age of 5 but I became much more serious about it at age 14

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

My studio recently went out of business due to COVID-19 but I’m in the process of finding a new one

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I’ve been on pointe for 3 years.

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Suffolk Sonnet

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mom put me in ballet class when I was little but I never really enjoyed it until I saw a preformance at age 14 and decided it was my passion.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

There’s so many variations I love but the sugarplum fairy variation holds a special place in my heart

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

My favorite company is probably the New York City ballet, dancing with them would be a dream

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

My favorite memory of ballet is probably my first recital after I went to a more challenging school and started working very hard. My father was so proud of me, I came off stage and we both cried. One of my favorite memories in general

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

Michaela DePrince is the most inspiring dancer and I absolutely adore her. She’s definitely my role model!

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

“Don’t try, do.”

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

Don’t worry about how good others are, don’t compare. Everyone is on their own journey

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

Getting to be apart of something special, being able to have a place where the rest of the issues in the world just cant impact me, and being around the people that I’ve met

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

Hardest thing would probably be actually getting myself to regularly stretch and work hard

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”?

I do have days where I’m frustrated and I don’t see the point, but then I remember that ballet has made me who I am today and has really helped me grow as a person

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Depends on the ballet but probably classical.

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

Not yet!!

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

When I’m not dancing I like to spend time with my friends 🙂

Q&A With American Ballerina Alessandra Martinez

By on • ( Leave a comment )

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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I began ballet when I was four years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance at St. Lucie Ballet

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been on pointe for 7 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Bloch Heritage pointe shoes

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I had always been fascinated with dance, especially ballet. My step-dad took me to my first ballet class for Valentine’s Day and I instantly fell in love!

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favorite variation is Talisman

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to work for Houston Ballet

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

My favorite memory is when I performed with my ballet family at Shake the Ground dance competition. We performed the Little Humped Back Horse and won first place within the whole competition. We had such a great time performing on stage together!

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

My ballet role models are Maria Khoreva and Marianela Nunez

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

The best advice I have ever received is to always keep working, for there is always something to be improved on. Nothing will ever be perfect!

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

I would tell the young version of myself to believe in herself and to be more confident, not lettting what other people think affect the way she dances

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

The best thing about being a ballerina is The ability to tell a story through the music and movement, engaging with the audience

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

The hardest thing in ballet is the feeling of frustration when things are not going well, or when you feel down. You just need to tell yourself to never give up and that things get better

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, and I believe it is one of the toughest things about ballet. Sometimes we get so down, that we feel like quitting, but we need to be able to pick ourselves back up and tell ourselves that tomorrow is a brand new day

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutu!

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

Yes I have suffered a serious injury. I had struggled with plantar fasciitis a few years ago. I couldn’t dance for a long time, but I was able to do stretching and some floor barre.

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

My favorite thing to do outside of the studio is to spend time with my dance friends. I think that it is important for us to spend time together relaxing and doing activities. We spend so much time in the studio, it’s a nice change to spend time together is another setting.

Q&A With American Ballerina Piper Panek

By on • ( Leave a comment )

I had the chance recently to ask Piper Panek some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Piper is a fantastic dancer, she graces the stage with elegance and grace. Her love for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

When I was 3 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

West Point Ballet

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

About 4 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Russian Pointe

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mom was a ballerina and she put me in ballet at a young age

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I love Aurora act 1

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

Any would be a dream, but maybe Royal Ballet or American Ballet Theatre

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

One of my favorite ballet memories was when I was given the opportunity to preform in Italy

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

My teachers are a huge inspiration to me and my mom. A dancer that I love to watch is Sylvie Guillem, she is such an inspiration

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

Treat every day like it is your last day dancing

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

Always give it all you have and never give up

Q12: Best thing about being a ballerina?

I love dancing to show my art to other people that may not know what doing ballet is like or the dedication it takes to be a ballerina.

Q13: Hardest thing about being a ballerina?

It is probably the intricate footwork and the time that ballet takes up working in the studio

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, there was a time that I felt like giving up and wanting to have a normal life , but ballet is what I love so i stuck with it and I know that was the right decision

Q15: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutu

Q16: Have you ever suffered a serious injury?

No, lucky I have never had a serious injury

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

I like hanging with my friends and family when not at dance.