Tag: Ballet

Q&A With American Ballerina Gaby DeAzevedo

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I recently had the opportunity to ask Gaby DeAzevedo some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Gaby is an excellent dancer, she graces the stage with poise and grace, her passion and love for ballet is  unmatched. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I have been doing dance for years, ever since I was little but I started taking ballet seriously about 3 years ago and I went really fast with it and now it’s the main thing I focus on.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance at Astrid Audet Academy of Ballet, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the training is amazing and I really love it there.

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been on pointe for about 2 1/2 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Russian Pointe Ruben, and I love them. They have practically been the only shoe  I have been in.

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I got involved in ballet, because one of my friends invited me to come to the studio and take a class and I went on from there.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favorite variation hands down would be fairy doll, I just love it and I think it’s so pretty.

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

My dream company to work for is probably ABT or San Francisco Ballet.

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

My favorite memory in ballet would have to be the ABT summer intensive. It was the best experience in my career and I learned so much, I absolutely loved it.

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

Some of my ballet role models are Tia Wenkman, Isabella Boylston, and Katherine Morgan

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

The best advise from a teacher really has to be to not compare my self to others, I have a really bad problem with doing that and all it does is just bring me down but when I focus on myself I do better.

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Definitely a classical tutu

Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

In my free time, I like to go out with my friends and/or mom and do things, I stretch a lot, and I just started gyrotonics and I really enjoy that as well.

Q&A With American Ballerina Aleksandra Shkurigin

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I recently had the chance to ask Aleksandra (Sasha) Shkurigin some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Sasha is an incredible dancer, she graces the stage with incredible poise and elegance. Her passion and dedication 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 currently dance at Queen City Ballet with a former Houston Ballet professional : Campbell Midgley

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I’ve been en pointe for 5 years now!

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Grishko Novas💛

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My parents first put me in a ballet class. I treasured every minute of it and fell in love with the movement.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favorite variations at the moment are Walpurgisnacht and Flames of Paris! I did them for the Universal Ballet Competition this past year.

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to work for the Paris Opera Ballet Company in the future. It’s my dream!

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

My favorite memory/ moment in ballet was when I first arrived at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow at the age of 13. I felt so accomplished and proud that I had made it that far to pursue my dream.

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

Svetlana Zakharova, Joy Womack, and Natalia Osipova all inspire me! 😍

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

The best advice I’ve ever received from a teacher is, “put all of your heart and soul into your dancing. If you are having a terrible day, come into the studio and have the courage to let go and just dance. Let the music overwhelm you with emotion.”

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

BOTH!💕

Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

When I’m not dancing, I love spending time with my two younger sisters(they also dance!) and playing with Nikiya (my puppy💗)

Q&A With Australian Ballerina Monique Constantine

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I recently had the opportunity to ask Monique Constantine some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Monique is a phenomenal dancer, she graces the stage with joy, poise and elegance. Her passion and dedication for ballet and dance is unmatched. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started training in ballet pre professionally at 13!

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I am currently on break due to having a knee reconstruction but I train at Ev and Bow Fulltime Dance.

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe since I was 13 so 9 years 😊

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Serenade Pointe Shoes from Bloch!

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I went straight into part time ballet when I started as my teacher saw potential 💛

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favourite variation is the Cupid Variation from Don Quixote 👼🏻

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

My dream company is Bangarra Dance Theatre!

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

When I was very gratefully awarded the Open Age Classical Ballet Gold Medalist at a prestigious competition in Australia in 2014!

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

Definitely my teacher Miss Karina and always Darcey Bussell!

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

If you don’t feel it from your heart, then the audience won’t feel it either!! 💛💛

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutu for sure 😘

Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

Play with my bunny, go to the movies with my boyfriend and hang out with my best friends!

 

Q&A With German Ballerina Jasmin Arndt

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I recently had the chance to ask Jasmin Arndt some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Jasmin is an incredible dancer, she graces the stage with poise and grace, her love and dedication for ballet is excellent. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

When I was 5

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

Palucca School in Dresden

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

Since I was 10

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Freed of London

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mum had a little dance school and I came with her every time so…

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Sleeping beauty 3 act

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

Semperoper ballet

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

Nutcracker at Semperopera was insane to dance had a beautiful time

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

I look up to Melissa Hamilton

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

Breath and enjoy your dancing

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Love both

Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

I like reading, listening to music and I love singing ☺️

Q&A With American Ballerina Kavita Gupta

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I recently had the chance to ask Kavita Gupta some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Kavita is an excellent dancer, she graces the stage with poise and grace, her passion and dedication for ballet is amazing. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

4 years ago

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

The ABT JKO School

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

About 2 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Grishko 2007

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I went to see Swan Lake when I was 7, and I begged my parents for 3 years to let me take classes

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Hard one!! I guess I would say Medora’s Act 2 variation

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

ABT

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

Getting my first pair of pointe shoes!

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

Sylvie Guillem

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

It’s okay to take breaks sometimes! I am a perfectionist and tend to overwork myself, so this is something that I have to remind myself of.

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical

Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

Watch ballets on YouTube

Q&A With American Ballerina Sabrina Kreiss

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I recently had the chance to ask Sabrina Kreiss some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Sabrina is an excellent dancer, she takes to the stage with incredible poise and grace, her passion and love for ballet is phenomenal. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 2

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I dance at my academic school through our dance program. the school is called Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale Florida

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I’ve been on pointe for 5 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Suffolk spotlights

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My parents signed me up for ballet when I was little, and I fell in love with it

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favorite variation is the Aurora wedding variation

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to work for Boston Ballet or Miami City Ballet one day

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

I have a few favorite ballet memories, but my favorite was just last week at the ABT Texas summer intensive when I did a quadruple pirouette on pointe and someone saw it

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

Some of my ballet role models are Kathryn Morgan, Misty Copeland, and Ashley Sherman

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

Oohh this one’s hard. the best advice I’ve gotten is pretty cliché but it’s to never give up no matter how much my pointe shoes hurt.

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical!!

Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

When I’m not dancing I like to watch Netflix, go out to eat with my friends, and go to the beach

Q&A With American Ballerina Alexis Workowski

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I recently had the opportunity to ask Alexis Workowski some questions about her amazing journey as a ballerina. Alexis is an incredible dancer, she graces the stage with poise and grace, her passion and dedication for ballet is unmatched. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 2 1/2

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

Skyra Studios

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

3 1/2 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Suffolk spotlights

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My Mom is an amazing dance teacher so she wanted me to try dance and I absolutely loved it so I told her I wanted to continue taking classes.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Probably Giselle variation or any of the kitri variations, just cause I love to play different characters.

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?

I don’t have a favorite memory because they are all so great but one in particular would be winning 1st place at YAGP

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

I absolutely loveeeee Svetlana Zakharova

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

“If people are talking bad about you behind your back, it’s because you must be doing something right”

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical

Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

I love to bake and draw

Q&A With American Ballerina Kaitlyn Ruch

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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was in second grade! (8 years old)

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently am a company member with Queen City Ballet Company in Helena Montana.

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for roughly 3.5 years.

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Fuzi pointe shoes and I love them!

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mom took me to see the Nutcracker!

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I absolutely love bluebird and aroura act 3 because I have danced them, but my all time favorite would have to be Gamzatti! I love her elegance and confidence!

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would absolutely love to dance with James Sewell Ballet Company!

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

I will always remember when I had to step in as an understudy in the party scene in Nutcracker. 9) I really look up to Dusty Button and so many other dancers!

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

I really look up to Dusty Button and so many other dancers!

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

I have received a ton of good advice from all my teachers, but some that really stood out to me, is to have confidence, and if you don’t do it, somebody else will!!

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical!

Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

I love listening to music, hanging out with my family and friends, and playing with my new puppy Zeke! 🙂

 

Q&A With Australian Ballerina Jessica Eksteen

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I had the chance recently to ask Jessica Eksteen some questions about her incredible journey as a ballerina. Jessica is an excellent dancer, she graces the stage with real poise and grace, her passion and dedication for ballet is phenomenal. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 7 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I train full time at the Sydney college of dance

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for 4 years and I did 1 year of pre pointe

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Currently I wear the grishko maya 1 pointe shoes but I have gone through many other brands as well

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My friend started dancing and I really wanted to do it with her, so I joined ballet with her

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favourite variation would have to be Kitri act III the wedding scene from Don Quixote

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to be in the Hamburg Ballet or Dresden Ballet or the Netherlands dance theatre, I think these companies are amazing

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

My favourite memory would have to be when I saw Misty Copeland perform Aurora in sleeping beauty in Australian Ballet last year, she was absolutely breathtaking

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

My ballet role models/inspirations would have to be misty Copeland, Gillian Murphy, Iana Salanko, Sylvia Guillem and of course Marianela Nunez, I think these dancers are absolutely incredible

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

The best advice a teacher has ever given to me would be to believe in yourself just as much as you would in others

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

I love classical tutus but I also love romantic tutus but if I had to pick I would say classical tutus

Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

I love to sketch and paint in my free time I especially love sketching things around me and of nature, but I also try to stretch and roll out in my free time as well

 

Q&A With American Ballerina Natalie Heinemeyer

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I recently had the opportunity to ask Natalie Heinemyer some questions about her phenonenal journey as a ballerina. Natalie is an amazing dancer, she takes to the stage with incredible poise and grace, her passion and love for ballet is unparalelled. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

When I was almost 3.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

Ballet Theatre of Carmel Academy

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I got my first pointe shoes recommended by Tatiana Pali, just a couple months before my 11th birthday.

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Russian Pointe Rubin and have for a couple years. They fit me the very best of any I have tried.

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

As a small child, my grandparents took me to the Nutcracker. I don’t remember it now, but they tell me, I stood the entire performance and danced in the aisle.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I enjoy variations from Swan Lake, both Odette and Odile.

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I also love the dramatic variations from Raymonda.

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

I was so excited to receive a scholarship to train in France. This opportunity opened possibilities that led me to attend a Summer Intensive in Paris.

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

Svetlana  Zakharova, Iana Salenko and Daniil Simpkin are all amazing. I was fortunate enough to see Iana and Daniil perform live at the Indianapolis City Ballet Gala a couple years ago.

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

I don’t have answer for this

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

I love the way a romantic tutu moves

Q12: What do you like to do when you aren’t dancing (your free time)?

Paper and pens! I enjoy calligraphy and drawing, making lists, plans and goals.