Sometimes my online adventures result in me finding something so extraordinarily beautiful that I have to share, even if prior to discovery I had not necessarily considered the subject in question.

Today that subject is ballerinas, I find them almost mythical – like unicorns, fairies and mermaids. Yet of course becoming a ballerina is a career choice for very real people just like you and I and even though I personally didn’t pursue dance past the age of twenty, it is and always will be, one of my favourite pastimes.

One of my favourite photographers from across the pond Abby Grace has recently been capturing these ridiculously beautiful young ladies in all of their tutu and pointe glory, I contacted her a few months ago to see if I could perhaps interview the girls and ask them all of the questions I had always wanted to ask a real life ballerina. My job is, if nothing else, diverse.

Sophie, LeeAnn and Christa have all agreed to share some insight into their chosen profession and even though Mary Kate isn’t pursuing ballet per se I thought her experience was interesting none the less.

Oh and also – the images were so lush I’ve made a gallery (much like we do on Rock My Wedding) in case you want to pin/look at even more pretty.

Have you always dreamed of becoming a ballerina?

Sophie King: I’ve wanted to be a ballerina ever since I was two years old and haven’t given up my dream since!

LeeAnn: I think I have. My mom took me to see a ballet when I was five, and right after I said, “Mommy I want to do that!” She signed me up for lessons and I have been dancing ever since.

Christa: When I was younger I actually never dreamed that I would even be in ballet! I did not start ballet until a relatively late age (12) and for some reason it came very naturally to me. Ever since that first day of class I always wanted to incorporate ballet into my life in some way, shape, or form. My later goal was to become a double major in Dance and Nursing, which I somehow have been blessed enough to do both degrees at Radford University!

Mary Kate: Yes, of course I have always dreamed of becoming a ballerina! I mean, what little girl doesn’t? I was actually put in ballet classes as a squirmy toddler with more energy than I knew what to do with. It was a way for me to channel that energy into something constructive. I was immediately hooked. I loved the music, the costumes, the movement – everything. I practically grew up at a ballet studio and wouldn’t have had my childhood any other way. 

What inspired you?

LeeAnn:   When I was eleven I switched studios to train at Ballet Virginia International, and I think what inspired me the most was being able to see the professionals rehearse and perform. It gave me something to look up to of what I could accomplish to be and continued to drive me to work hard.

Christa: My best friend in elementary school actually got me into ballet and continues to inspire me. One day she saw me standing on my toes and told me I had really nice feet and that I should consider taking a ballet class with her. When your 12 and feel like you have nothing to lose, of course you are going to try it! The very first class I took, I was hooked, and I knew that I would never be able to lose sight of becoming a ballerina. I will be forever thankful for her telling me that I have nice feet because I never would have even considered becoming a ballerina if it were not for her!

How often do you train? And in terms of training is it continual ballet or do you do other forms of exercise to make your body strong, supple and lithe?

Mary Kate: The training definitely gets more intense as you get older. Once you hit about 14 or 15 years old, you must make the conscious decision to dedicate your life to ballet, or give up on that dream – there isn’t really an in-between. At that point, you take classes every day to refine your technique and train your body. Now that I’ve given up ballet professionally, I take class every now and then for fun. It’s amazing how easy it is to lose everything that you work so hard for in such a short period of time. Aside from ballet, I also took modern, jazz, character, and improvisation classes during my career. In this day and age, it is so important for dancers to have a wide range of skills in their arsenal and be able to adapt to anything that’s thrown at them. I also did some cross-training in order to stay injury-free and in the best shape possible. It’s actually very common for dancers to take pilates or yoga classes to supplement their training, as well as walk, run, bike, swim – you name it, dancers probably do it! 

Christa:   My training depends on the season. In general, I do continual ballet, where I usually do ballet class that ranges from 1.5hrs-3hrs and then a supplemental form of exercise. During the summer I usually dance about 5 days a week and either go to the gym every other day or run every morning. In the Fall and Spring when school picks up and we have performances, I will often only be able to take ballet 3 times per week but I will have rehearsals almost every week night. At that time I usually do in-home workouts that consist of core strengthening and conditioning, like Pilates, abdominal exercises, or push-ups.

Do you have to have a very strict regime and eating plan?

LeeAnn:  My eating regime is not too strict. I try to eat healthy and usually eat mainly fruits and vegetables with lean meats, whole grains, and dairy products. But I love my coffee and sweets too! I couldn’t get through the day without them!

Sophie: I was very lucky to get a fast metabolism from both of my parents so I really don’t pay attention to what I eat. I love all food and eat everything. Though if I feel I gained a little bit of weight I’ll tone it down, but I rarely have to.

What has been your favourite moment so far in terms of performance/your experience so far?

 

Sophie: I absolutely love performing because it’s the whole reason why I dance. Being on a stage is really a very exhilarating experience. You don’t think and you just… dance! I have done several performances for numerous companies at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. They would need kids in their production so I would audition and have the opportunity to perform for them. I loved my experiences at the Kennedy Center. I danced with the New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, The Washington Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, and the Pennsylvania Ballet. Being able to dance for top companies at such a young age was a privilege.

Is there anyone in particular professionally wise that you admire?

Mary Kate: I would have to say that the professional dancer I admire most is Misty Copeland. She was a role model of mine long before she started doing commercials and such. I’ve always been what you would call “top heavy,” and that’s been something I’ve struggled with my whole life. Misty has a beautiful, womanly body and is an incredibly strong dancer. She is so comfortable in her own skin – she sets an example for girls to chase their dreams regardless of where they might come from or what their natural body type is. She is such a wonderful role model for aspiring dancers everywhere. 

Sophie: I really admire anyone who has become a professional ballerina or is working in the field. It’s such a difficult world to get into and it is my dream so to me it’s really inspiring.

What is your favourite ballet and why?

LeeAnn: My all time favorite ballet is Swan Lake. I just love the beauty, grace, and softness the ballet portrays. In addition I love the story line and the challenge the ballet has for the dancers. I have danced the role of Odette and it was one of my favourite characters to portray.

My dream role I would love to perform one day in my career would be Juliet from Romeo and Juliet. The love in the story is so magical and the ballet brings me to tears every time I watch it!

Christa: I would definitely have to say that Sleeping Beauty is my favourite! This ballet has so many parts to it and I feel like in this ballet there is a role for everyone that will fit them best. I absolutely love the “wedding scene pas de deux” and I actually had the opportunity to perform it when I was in high school.

What is your ultimate goal in terms of your career?

Christa: My ultimate goal is to never lose site of the reason why I dance. I dance because it relieves me and I feel that I can even communicate better through dance sometimes! I strive to do the best that I can but not compare myself or compete with those around be because I do not believe that ballet should be a competition. Ballet should be a way for everyone to get up and feel confident that they are the best they can be and overall have fun with it! My secondary goal for my career would be to join a small ballet company and be able to work as a nurse in a near by hospital.

LeeAnn: Right now I am dancing for Roanoke Ballet Theatre, in Roanoke, Virginia. I am also guest dancing with other companies. I also have a part time job working for Campus Crusade for Christ at Radford University. I love what I am doing and where I am at right now. I would have to say my ultimate goal would be able to dance as long as possible and perform in as many different classical and contemporary ballets that I can. I love performing. It is a wonderful feeling and I am filled with joy the second I step on stage.

Sophie: I want to dance in a professional ballet company. I’m currently doing auditions all over Europe and sending my resume to companies. I’m still very young so I don’t need to worry too much, but I would love to get into a company as quickly as possible.

I have to mention – the costumes! can you tell us about any that are particularly memorable?

LeeAnn: Costumes are one of the best parts about performing! It is like the second I put one on I immediately become the character and feel more in my role. I am not sure if I have a memorable story about a costume, but I do have one about a prop.  Two years ago when I was Clara in the Nutcracker at Radford University we were having difficulties keeping the Nutcracker head from falling off when it was not supposed to. During the opening night show, about 32 counts before the Nutcracker was supposed to be broken, I was doing a diagonal turn and jump sequence and the head popped off, flew in the air, hit the floor, and continued to role into the wing… I did not know what had happened until I heard the big CABOOM of the head hitting the floor, and then I just thought to myself, “oh no the head came off again!!” We ended up just having to improvise the actual breaking of the Nutcracker and gesturing to the head on the floor in the wing. It created some great laughter and was definitely a very memorable moment!

Mary Kate: I have always loved dressing up. The amazing costumes that I have had the privilege of wearing over the years only made me love ballet even more. The tutu is a right of passage in a way – you must earn the right to wear one. They are typically reserved for the leading roles in a ballet, and so only after years of practice and dedication is one truly ready to take on the responsibility that comes with a tutu.