Tag: UK

Q&A With British Ballerina Poppy Frankel

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I had the opportunity recently to ask Poppy Frankel some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Poopy is an incredible dancer, she graces the stage with incredible poise and grace. Her passion and love for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet at 18 months old but obviously only baby ballet!

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I dance at the Royal Ballet School

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for 4 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Bloch and Freed

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mum says that I was dancing before I could walk, whenever there was music on I would just start moving to the music! She took me to ballet classes and I’ve never looked back.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

There are so many but I love Giselle Act 1, Odette Act 2 and all the Le Corsaire varations!

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

My dream is to work with the Royal Ballet Company

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

Every time I am performing on stage, it’s the absolute best feeling!

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

My absolute inspiration is Marianela Nunez, she is an incredible dancer and also a lovely person:)

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

Don’t let anyone tell you your not good enough and don’t let anyone make you feel down or come in the way of your dreams.

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical, but I also love romantic!

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

Training vocationally you don’t get much free time so I’ll either be watching Netflix, sewing pointe shoes, shopping, finding cute little cafes and coffee shops, or spending time with my family and friends + my dog and cats:)

Q&A With British Ballerina Jess Templeton

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

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was about 4 but I only took it seriously from the age of 12.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I currently dance at Tring Park School

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for about 4-5 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Bloch aspiration pointe shoes

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I got seriously involved in ballet when I started the Royal Ballet associate program at the age of 12

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Ah I can’t choose but I really love variations from Don Quixote as they are so full of character and energy.

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to work for the Royal Ballet, ENB or Mathew Bourne’s New Adventures

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

I have lots of amazing ballet memories but my favourites are performing at Sadler’s wells and attending the Royal Ballet Summer School.

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

My inspirations for ballet are Yasmine Naghdi and Steven McRae but I also massively look up to Lukas McFarlane as a dancer and a person.

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

Best advice I have ever received is just to relax and breathe as sometimes dancers think so much about being perfect and working hard that they forget the most important part….the performance.

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical tutu definitely

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

I generally don’t have a lot of free time but when I do I love swimming and reading.

Q&A With British Ballerina Sarah Trinder

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I recently had the chance to ask Sarah Trinder some questions about her journey as a ballerina. Sarah is an amazing dancer, she takes to the stage with poise and grace. Her passion and dedication for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 3 years old. Although I always wanted to pursue it as a career, I began taking it more seriously when I was around 9 years old. At age 10, I attended my first summer school at the Royal Ballet School, White Lodge.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

At the moment I train locally at a small school called Susan Robinson School of Ballet but next year I am moving to Amsterdam in the Netherlands to attend the Dutch National Ballet Academy. It will be my first year in full time ballet training so I am very excited.

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for almost 6 years now. My first pair of pointe shoes were from Freed of London and I got them a few days after my 11th birthday.

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

At the moment I wear Freeds Studio Professional shoes. I have recently started using these shoes and I really like them because there are slightly harder so I have more support and they last longer.

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

When I was 3 years old, my mum signed me up for a baby ballet class near to where we live. Then, after 2 years, I moved to my current dance school where there was more emphasis on technique and performance so I could dance more often and had more opportunities.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favourite variation that I have performed is the Swanhilda Act 1 variation which I performed at YAGP but two other variations which I would love to dance are the Paquita 4th variation and Pharaoh’s Daughter Act 2 variation. I also think it would be really fun to learn a Balanchine variation like one from Who Cares or Rubies in Jewels.

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

My dream companies include the Royal Ballet, Dutch National Ballet and San Francisco Ballet but I would love to dance with any of the big classical companies in Europe.

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

My favourite experience and memory in ballet would have to be the YAGP semi-finals in Barcelona. It was an honour to perform in front of school and company directors from around the world and receiving 3rd place and short term scholarships from the Royal Ballet School, John Cranko Schule and Ballettschule Theater Basel was a dream come true.

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

My biggest role models are Marianela Nunez, Natalia Osipova and Svetlana Zakharova and I’m really lucky to have seen all three of them perform live. Some of my other favourite dancers include Yuhui Choe, Yasmine Naghdi and Beatriz Stix-Brunell from the Royal Ballet and I also love Maria Kochetkova.

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

My teacher once told me that there is always someone better than you or someone who works harder than you and this inspires me to work my hardest and push myself in class and on stage.

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

I would have to say classical tutu as this is the type which is worn by Aurora, Odette, Odile and the Sugarplum Fairy amongst many other major classical roles. I am very fortunate to own several of my own classical tutus, including one which was made in Japan!

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

In my free time, I like to read, cook, go shopping, and spend time with my friends and family. At the moment, I’ve been loving the TV show Grey’s Anatomy and I also enjoy watching films. My favourite directors are Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino.

Q&A With British Ballerina Evie Isabel Glazier

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I had the opportunity to ask Evie Glazier some questions about her journey as a ballerina. She is incredibly dedicated and passionate about ballerina. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started ballet when I was 10 but I have been dancing since I was 3, I started taking ballet seriously around when I was 12

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I dance at a Dance school in the UK

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe since November 2015 so coming up to 3 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I have always worn Grishko 2005s I absolutely love how they can bend without dying quickly and they fit my feet beautifully!

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I first got involved in ballet as I had always been a gymnast but had to stop and so I chose to start ballet because it was something I had always admired watching. I’m so happy I found it!

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favourite variations are Swanhilda, Summer Fairy and Carmen because they are all so different!

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I would love to dance for English National Ballet as I think the dancers all are so inspiring, and they put on such amazing productions, I also love Northern Ballet and the Royal Ballet and many other European companies!

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

My favourite memory would definitely be from last summer I spent at Birmingham Royal Ballet Summer School! The girls I met were so amazing and kind, I met lots of dancers from different countries. My favourite moment would be from the party on the last night of the summer school

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

My ballet role models would be Marianela Nùnéz as she has so much expression into her dancing, also Yasmine Naghdi as she lights up when she dances and is beautiful to watch

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

The best advice is when my teacher tells me to not give up on myself after a bad day and remind me of my potential, it is encouraging to have people who believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

I absolutely adore wearing both! But the Romantic tutus are so flowy and gorgeous against a ballerina’s lines, so I would have to say that!

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

When I am not dancing I obviously love meeting up with my friends, but I also love sports and going on runs and cycling in the evening. I also love being able to spend time with my family and baby cousins as they are so lovely and supportive!

Q&A With British Ballerina Jade Longley

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I recently had the opportunity to ask the amazing Jade Longley some questions about her incredible journey as a ballerina. Jade graces the stae with poise and beauty. Her dedication and passion for ballet is incredible. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

Around 5 years old

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

English National Ballet School

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

Since I was 11, so about 8 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I alternate between Freed studio professionals and Gaynors

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mother started taking me to classes as I was very restless as a child! She took me to see ‘Giselle’ at the ROH, and in that night I knew what I wanted to do with me life

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I don’t have a favourite, but Giselle Act 1 will always be quite special for me. I also like Aurora act 1 & 2, and Diana and Acteon

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

There are so many incredible companies in the world, I couldn’t choose just one.

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

Every time we bring a show to the stage is magical. Seeing all the hard work from the studio translate to stage is something so inwardly rewarding.

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

So many dancers inspire me, as every dancer’s journey is so unique and different from anyone else’s.

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

“Whatever happens we’ll deal with it’

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Romantic!

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

I love reading and writing, going to art exhibitions. There are so many amazing things to do in London – I feel like I’ll never get through everything!

Q&A With British Dancer Sophia Panchal-Bird

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I recently had the chance to ask Sophia Panchal-Bird some questions about her journey as a dancer and more specifically about ballet. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

When I was 3

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I dance at Arts 1 School of Performance

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

2 years (I started dancing seriously quite late)

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

Russian pointe Bravas

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

My mum took me to a class and I fell in love with it.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

Esmeralda

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

Northern Ballet Company (UK)

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

My first time en pointe was very special I’d worked very hard to there so was very proud!

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

I’m impaired by Avery Gay and of course Darcy Bussell!

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

Don’t be afraid of falling/making mistakes because it’s the best way to learn

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical Tutu

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

Reading

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Q&A With British Ballerina Beth Mihai

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Recently I had the opportunity to ask British dancer Beth Mihai some questions in regard to her journey as a ballerina, She is a wonderful dancer, incredibly dedicated to ballet and an elegant and beautiful dancer on stage. Below are her responses

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I first started ballet when I was 7 years old. I knew I wanted to do dance as a career when I was approximately 11.

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I’m currently in the middle of switching studios. My old dance school was Rollo Academy of Performing Arts.

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I’ve been en pointe for 2 and a half years and have enjoyed it ever since I first started!

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I am currently on my third pair of pointe shoes, the brand being Blochs Amelie’s. Although, my preferred choice is Grishko 2007’s which were my previous pointe shoes.

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I first got involved in ballet/dance by my best friend in school. She had told my about dancing and even taught me a few of her dances. I absolutely loved it and decided to join her studio. That’s when my love for dance sprouted!

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

That’s a very hard question! I love so many but a few of my absolute favourites are the Kitri Variation, the Cupid variation and the bluebird variation!

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

That’s also a hard one! Obviously being a UK dancer, the Royal Ballet is every dancers dream but there are many others I would really enjoy working for such as: Birmingham Royal Ballet, Ballet Theatre UK, English National Ballet and so many others. As long as I’m dancing, doing what I love, I don’t really mind where I do it!

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

I have many amazing memories from my dance experience so far. Some of them include: Getting chosen to be a part of English Youth Ballet twice and getting chosen to dance for the scholarship, getting a distinction in my RAD Intermediate Foundation exam, another big achievement for me was getting into the final stage of the Angel Dancewear ambassador search, which is my dream! I have so many other amazing memories with friends as well that there’s too many to list!

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

So many dancers inspire me! A few of them include: Caitlin Barker (the owner of Angel Dancewear), she always has perfect technique and is so versatile! She is such a lovely girl and just an amazing person in general. Serena McCall is also another incredible dancer! Every dancer that tries their best and puts everything into their dancing is an inspiration to me, there’s nothing more inspiring than someone that works so hard to reach goals and strive for success!

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

One piece of advice that has always stuck in my head is to imagine a ballet exam, performance or audition as a regular ballet/Dance class. Just think of it as a way in which you can perfect even more technique and really just show off your ability, not that your being watched or even about perfection. Just make sure you have fun and dance in your own way!

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Ooh, I absolutely love both. A classical tutu to really embrace the original style of ballet and to feel absolutely glamorous and graceful. However, a Romantic tutu is also fabulous to flow and follow your movement. I can’t pick, they’re both so stunning!

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

When I’m not dancing (which is not a lot) I love to keep up with my photography skills. I absolutely love photography, especially with nature and dance. I’m very creative and have quite an artistic eye for what would make the perfect shot. I also love photoshoots (mainly Dance ones so I don’t know if that counts haha). I love being in front of the camera as well as behind. Photoshoots are so fun and allow me to come up with some creative poses which I love to do!

Q&A With British Dancer Isabelle Bosher

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I had the opportunity to ask the incredible British dancer Isabelle Bosher some questions in regard to her amazing journey in ballet. She graces the stage with poise and beauty. Her photos on Instagram are phenomenal and her passion for ballet and other types of dance are unparalleled. Below are her responses.

Q1: When did you start ballet?

When i was 4

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

Tring Park School for the Performing Arts

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been en pointe for 3 years now (started when i was 11)

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I currently wear Bloch pointe shoes

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I first started ballet classes at my school as a hobby because all my friends went

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

My favourite variation would be Bluebird variation

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

i would want to be a part of English National Ballet or Joffrey

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

My favourite moment in dance was getting into dance school on scholarship

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

Dusty Button is my ballet role model because of her perfect technique and being a unique ballerina and breaking the stereotype

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

Don’t over think what you are doing

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical Tutu

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

I don’t really have free time aha 😅 but if i do i love family time and to catch up with friends

Q&A With British Ballet Dancer Ella Hicks

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I recently had the chance to ask Ella Hicks from Britain some questions about her journey as an aspiring ballet dancer. She is a wonderful dancer and her photos are amazing. Below are her responses.

Instagram: ella_enpointe

Q1: When did you start ballet?

I started dance at 4 but only proper ballet at 9 when I was accepted as  a Royal Ballet School Junior Associate

Q2: Where do you currently dance?

I train at The Hammond which is a full time vocational dance boarding school in the UK

Q3: How long have you been en pointe for?

I have been enpointe since I was 10, so for 5 years

Q4: What pointe shoes do you currently wear?

I wear Grishko Dreampointe. I live Grishko shoes, my first pair were Grishko Pro Flex 2007 and this year I was lucky enough to be selected as an ambassador for the company.

Q5: How did you first get involved in ballet?

I loved to dance as a small child so my Mum sent me to the local dance school where the teacher thought I had potential.

Q6: What is your favourite variation?

I don’t really have a favourite, there are so many that I love to watch, it’s too hard to choose!

Q7: What company would you love to work for?

I really love to act as well as dance so the company I would most enjoy working for would be Matthew Bournes New Adventures, I love their productions so much!

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

Being accepted to train at The Hammond with a full scholarship must be one of my best memories, I have been there since I was 11!

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

My inspirations are Dusty Button, as she is so incredibly strong and Iana Salenko who is just awesome.

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

Always treat corrections as a compliment, it means your teachers believe you can improve

Q11: Classical or romantic tutu?

Classical every time!

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

I really love to sing and I’m teaching myself to play piano. I’m also a bit of a rollercoaster junkie! 😊😂