For World Ballet Day 2021 - we have asked senior artist of the The Australian Ballet and BWB Board member Valerie to share her pointe shoe prep…
Q&A - Alice Topp-Australian Ballet's resident choreographer
In 3 words what does dance mean to you?
Soul in motion.
2. Favourite ballet to dance?
William Forsythe’s In The Middle Somewhat Elevated and Wayne McGregor’s Infra, and Jiri Kylian’s Petit Mort...and...and.. I just can’t pick one!
3. Do you believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form?
I believe that dance is a universal language. People all over the world dance when they feel joy or when celebrating and it’s a universal way of connecting with others. Body language a big way of expressing oneself. Ballet can sometimes be trickier for people to relate to and understand but I believe most of the time it’s just that ballet is misunderstood as a form of art just to be appreciated by an elite group of people. Most ballets speak of common themes relating to the human condition - love, loss, joy, tragedy, passion - something everyone will experience in life and can connect with. And most people have a love for music! So I think it’s just about dispelling the theory that ballet is only tiaras and tulle!
4. What is a typical misconception about ballet that you would like to set straight?
I think when people think of ballet they believe there’s so much focus on the aesthetics - being a particular height, weight and look and having certain physical attributes and facility, like highly arched feet etc. Being a ballet dancer is SO MUCH MORE than that! You are not just a sum of your parts! To be a ballet dancer you are first and foremost an artist, a storyteller. You also require incredible mental strength to deal with the pressure of demanding schedules, relentless touring, injury and retaining countless counts and repertoire! Being a dancer requires great athleticism, strength and endurance as a performer as well as discipline, determination and commitment to get to that level. It’s so much more than “the look.”
5. What are you reading right now?
The Resilience Project by Hugh Van Cuylenburg
6. 1 thing that most people dont know about you?
That I’m a big country kid and if I’m not in pointe shoes, I’m in Blundstones.
7. Ballet without Borders aims to allow children from disadvantaged backgrounds to experience ballet- if you had ultimate power for a day what would you do to make this happen
I would make sure every child had the opportunity to see a live performance at a venue for free. We’d fill theatres around the globe with children who’d never experienced ballet. It would be 24 hours of shows and we’d make sure children from all regional and rural areas were able to travel to their nearest venue to witness a show and meet the performers. If I had ultimate power beyond a day, I’d make sure they had access to free classes and dance education forever more!
8. Favourite ballet to watch?
Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room
9. If you could go back to a point in time in your life, what advice would you give yourself?
I would tell myself not to be afraid to take up space. Not to be afraid to be different, unique and imperfect. To have courage to be seen and heard and to be unapologetically honest as an artist and human. As perfectionists, we are always spending so much of our careers self-critiquing and comparing our journey to others, but it’s all over so quickly, and you want to enjoy the short time you have! Don’t spend it wishing you were this or that but celebrate you and your unique gifts. No one else has that to offer!
10. You have been given an elephant! You cannot sell it or give it away, what do you do?
Sadly I think it would be too big for my apartment!! I’d have to find it some land which I might turn into a wildlife conservation where we could educate people from a young age to appreciate the world and all it’s inhabitants and cultivate compassion and empathy for other living things.
Q&A with David Hallberg-Meet the Australian Ballet's new Artist Director
Last year, we connected with the Australian Ballet’s newly appointed Artistic Director, David Hallberg. David boasts an incredible ballet career including being a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and Bolshoi Ballet, and as a guest artist with the Royal Ballet.
Check out the Q&A below and discover David’s favourite ballet to watch and dance plus his hot tips for upcoming dancers.
How old are you? 38.
What companies have you performed with? American Ballet Theatre, Guest with the Australian Ballet, Former Principal with the Bolshoi.
When you’re not touring with a company, how do you stay in shape and what is your jet lag remedy? Jet lag remedy is Melatonin! And not thinking about the previous time zone.
We already know shaving is part of the ritual of getting performance-ready, any others? Nap. Eat well. Focus the mind!
A surprising thing people don’t know about you? I love a cold beer with my manager after a show in my dressing room.
A ballet you enjoy watching rather than dancing? Almost all of New York City Ballet repertoire.
Have you ever taught adult ballet before? Would you? I have not, and don’t find myself the best teacher.
When you are in the moment and it’s effortless and perfect, what word would you use to describe that feeling for yourself? As close to euphoria as possible.
What was the last gift you received and from who? Love and care. From my boyfriend.
What was the biggest mistake you have made during a performance? Not risked enough. Worried too much.
Do you have a tip that improves flexibility? Know your limits. Warm up properly. And flexibility doesn’t make a good dancer.
You are given an elephant. You cannot sell it or give it away. What do you do? Love it. Learn from it.
To keep up with David’s journey, check out his social media platform here. Learn more about Ballet Without Borders and our 2020 impact here. Subscribe to our newsletter to get exclusive access to future Q&As and regular updates on our growth. Ballet Without Borders: helping all children experience the joy of ballet.
Story of one of our sponsored children-Daniel
Hello Readers,
During our Penrith workshop in April this year, we spotted a talented young boy and had the opportunity to sponsor him to go to his local ballet school, Glenbrook Ballet Academy.
Daniel loves ballet. He loved our workshop so much that he tried to teach his sister some moves! He has since sat his first Royal Academy of Dance primary ballet exam.
‘'I was so excited to hear that Daniel had won a scholarship from you. He came back from the class he took so inspired and ready to take on the ballet world.
Since then he has gone from strength to strength and has been working so hard for his Primary ballet exam. He really is such a talented young boy with so much promise and potential. He has incredibly strong legs and feet and beautiful turnout and he loves to jump, all the traits for a ballet master in the making.”
-Miss Ilona, Daniel’s teacher at Glenbrook Ballet Academy
We are so proud to have been able to support Daniel in his love of ballet and look forward to following Daniel’s ballet journey.
Q&A -Stephanie Kurlow
Our latest interview with Stephanie Kurlow who made headlines in her quest to become the first hijabi ballerina in the world.
Q&A -Davis Giotopoulos
Recently I had the pleasure of taking class with Davis Giotopoulos-Moore who has just received a contract with the Eifman Ballet. (He was taking class and I was flailing around!) He has also just graduated from the Bolshoi Academy, one of the first Australian ballet dancers to do so. Before he escapes to Russia I managed to get quick coffee and interview in with him.
Why Ballet?
I actually started dancing because of my sister when I was young and have always loved it.
2. What was the hardest part about becoming a professional dancer? What obstacles did you have to overcome?
Not having the right physique, flexibility or jumps. That has been the biggest challenge and I have had to consistently work on that.
3. What inspires you to work hard/harder every day?
The idea that I would be able to dance professionally on stage one day. (Which has now become a reality)
4. Favourite ballet to dance?
I really enjoy Sleeping Beauty but I know many find it boring!
5. What is a typical misconception that people have about ballet?
People assume that ballet is not hard. That men go on pointe! I get asked that all the time, if my feet are sore!
6. How accessible was ballet to you when you were growing up?
My parents were very supportive, and it was very accessible. All my siblings have pursued creative fields. We were also home schooled so I was removed from some of those environments where I would be bullied.
7. Do you feel that all children have an opportunity to participate in ballet? What would you feel are some of the obstacles that children may face?
Its not accessible to everyone, some kids would have financial problems the fees for ballet schools, costumes, shoes etc. There are big financial implications.
8. Any advice for young dancers wanting to make it in the dance world?
Hard work, hard work, hard work. Perseverance and figuring out whether ballet is for you.
10. Would you say the competition for male dancers is different from ballerinas.
There are more opportunities because companies need more male dancers, but the standard is getting harder and higher and it is becoming harder to get a job.
Winter School Holiday Workshops
During the winter school holidays BWB ran 2 more workshops in Liverpool and Penrith in collaboration with PCYC.
We had a wonderful response including 6 boys at our Liverpool workshop! There were many laughs and many plies. The participants enjoyed themselves, learned ballet terminology, steps and choreography as well as fun facts about ballet and nutrition.
More workshops and locations will be announced soon!
Workshop Success-Penrith
Hello lovely readers,
I am pleased to announce that our first ballet workshop in Penrith was a success with another one to be run in conjunction with PCYC during the winter school holidays in July.
Our lovely students learned ballet basics such as common ballet positions, turns, jumps and interesting ballet facts. We also ran a nutrition session sponsored by Harris Farm and had some lovely goody bags to hand out at the end of class.
Thank you to all the students and my two wonderful teachers, Mitch and Sharyn for making this day so wonderful!
xx
Katia
Adam Bull-Interview
Adam Bull is currently a principal dancer with the Australian Ballet and we have had the pleasure of this short interview with him below:
In 3 words what does dance mean to you?
Passion, art and discipline
Favourite ballet to dance?
Graham Murphy’s Swan Lake
From your personal experience do you feel that ballet is accessible to most people?
I don’t think ballet is accessible to everyone. It’s often seen as elitist and an art form for the upper mid class to enjoy. To break down these walls and make it more financially accessible to patrons would be a great thing.
If you could change one thing about this art form what would it be? (Funny answers welcome)
The toll it has on your body. The rigors it has on you physically is immense.
If you could give some advice to your pre-professional self what would it be?
Enjoy every moment. Savor the highs and learn from the lows.
What is a typical misconception about ballet that you would like to set straight?
That most ballerinas don’t eat!! To do what we do at the level we do, it wouldn’t be possible to not fuel yourself in the best possible way.
What are you reading?
All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr
What inspires you to work harder everyday?
My colleagues are my daily inspiration and admiration. My close work mates and best friends bring out the best in me and give me the positive energy to push myself even when you think there is nothing left to give.
Ballet without Borders aims to allow children from disadvantaged backgrounds to experience ballet- if you had ultimate power for a day what would you do to make this happen?
To take money out of the equation. So much seems to come down to the bottom line. To open the doors and let people into our world where money doesn’t have to be an underlying factor would be great thing.
Photo courtesy of the Australian Ballet
