You are the embodiment of every little girl’s dream. How does it feel to be a professional ballerina?
Being a professional ballerina is too good for words. I forget sometimes how truly amazing it is to be doing something I enjoy and love every single day.

What drew you to ballet?
I’ve always been interested in ballet but it wasn’t until my first year at Queensland Dance School of Excellence in 2008 that I truly fell in love with it. Ballet was always my weakest genre of dance which made me want it and love it more. I would work so hard to perfect my technique and never stopped enjoying it that’s how I knew ballet was what I wanted to do.

What is a typical day like for you during rehearsals?
We always start our day with a warm up ballet class from 10:00–11:30 followed by a 15-minute break. The remainder of the day consists of three big rehearsal slots with a well-needed hour break in the middle, finishing up around 6:00 pm.

I imagine it’s pretty strenuous, how do you unwind after a long day?
The days can be very strenuous at times but I always head home to hang on the couch with my cat, have a nice dinner and a long Epsom salt bath.

What has been your proudest career moment so far?
My proudest moment on stage would have to be one of my most recent performances of Short Dialogues, by Nils Christe. I had the most incredible partner Hao Bin who made it so easy and beautiful to perform.

What is your dream? Do you have that one dream role?
One of my biggest dreams would be to travel and perform overseas. I’ve fallen in love with Europe and hope to one day be a part of one or many of the beautiful dance companies over there. I couldn’t say I have one dream role, but I love to perform and I feel like there is still so much more for me to discover.

Is the reality at all similar to what we see in movies like Black Swan and Centre Stage?
No, not at all! They make good stories and would definitely make an interesting work place but that’s all Hollywood.

What is it that motivates you to continue to dance?
I strive for the feeling of being on that stage with my beautiful costume on and the lights shining down on me. Whenever I’m having an off day I always think back to those moments and the way it makes me feel and it always helps brighten my day.

How do you celebrate the end of a show?
To celebrate the end of a season I usually head to a bar for a few ciders with friends and then head home for a much needed sleep-in the next day.

You’re coming back home to the Gold Coast for a production of Coppelia at The Arts Centre Gold Coast. What are you most looking forward to doing while you’re back here?
What I’m most looking forward to doing whilst back on the Gold Coast is sharing the stage with my sister Sarah in front of all our friends and family. I can’t wait to be back on our home stage, it’s beautiful.

What do you miss most about living away from the Gold Coast?
I’m quite lucky that Brisbane isn’t so far away so I don’t miss out on much. Before Queensland Ballet I lived in Perth for two years and that was extremely tough so I’m very grateful to be back.

Can you tell us a little about Coppelia?
Our production of Coppelia is choreographed by our Ballet Master Greg Horsman. Greg has created a really engaging ballet with great story characters inspired by Australian history. There’s even a surprising appearance of a game of AFL in the choreography. The ballet tells the story of the eccentric Dr Coppélius and his invention of Coppélia, a beautiful life-like doll, who causes comic chaos between two young lovers, Franz and Swanilda, but the lovers unite and there is a happy ending. It’s a fun bright ballet to dance and has been really well received by our audiences.

Your sister Sarah is also a dancer with Queensland Ballet, do you have other dancers in your family?
I don’t have any sisters (besides Sarah) that dance anymore. We all danced together when I was younger and that was so much fun.

Does it ever get competitive?
Ballet doesn’t get as competitive as you would think. Queensland Ballet is quite a small company and we’re like a little family, it’s more supportive than anything.

Finally, any words of wisdom for aspiring dancers?
I would have to say never give up. If you want something bad enough and work hard at it, it’s always in your reach. I was once told that I was never going to make it as a ballerina and it’s now my third year with Queensland Ballet!

Image Credits: Christian Tiger and Georges Antoni.