What is your first memory of dancing?
One of my most cherished childhood memories of dance is of my sisters and I making up dance a routine to a song (gorilla wrap) on cassette tape.
Where did you train?
I started learning ballet at Ecole Classique but continued most of my training under Anne Grey at North Shore Dance Academy. I then attended Newtown High School of Performing Arts for Y9 and 10 and later moved down to Melbourne to join the Australian Ballet school as a full time student.
What was your first public performance?
Around the age of six, as a gum nut baby, in the end of year ballet concert.
What was your first professional gig?
With the Australian Ballet performing Meryl Tankard's Wild Swans in 2003.
In 2008 you went on a scholarship to train overseas?
I travelled to a few different companies: NDT in the Netherlands, Les Ballet de Monte Carlo in Monaco, Bejart Ballet in Lausanne, Compania Nacional de Danza in Madrid and Aterballetto in Rome. I participated in their daily classes and watched their rehearsals and performances. After being exposed to such a broad spectrum of dance I felt like I walked away with a deeper understanding of what dance meant to me. What I saw in other dancers, how they worked and how they moved, really helped me decide what kind of dancer I wanted to be.
What has been your favourite role?
Jiri Kylian's Bella Figura -- even as a student I remember going to a performance and being left breathless by it. Needless to say I became a big fan of Kylian's works. In Bella Figura the style of movement, the intention and flow of energy in each step along with the music just feels heavenly to dance. So when I got the opportunity to dance this piece it just felt blissful.
What do you always bring to a performance?
My A-game! Hahaha, no but seriously, one thing I always try to bring into my performances is honesty in what I'm doing. When I get out onto stage it's about sharing a true part of myself with the audience and being truly present in the role or movement.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
I do and I don't. Depending on what I'm dancing my pre show rituals will change but I guess one thing I do most times is go to the studio before going onto stage, even if it's only for a couples of seconds. Oh, and I always wear my leg warmers up onto stage and take them off just before going on.
What is your pet hate?
Hmm, I guess you could say a pet hate of mine would be going for a triple pirouette but then not even making it up into pointe or falling out of it after half a turn!
What do you most admire in people?
I admire people who have an open mind and open heart.
What is your proudest achievement?
Meeting my soul mate and marrying him.
What role do you covet?
That's hard to say, my dreams and aspirations have changed so much over the years from when I first started training to now. As a young girl I really wanted to dance the role of Giselle. I completely fell in love with the softness and lyricism of Giselle in Act 2 and how she just floats across stage, and I really felt like I could relate to her shy but vivacious character in Act 1. But these days I cherish the roles or pieces that allow me to develop myself artistically or technically, no matter what the part is.
How do you wind down after a performance?
I always have to have a bite to eat after a show, I can't get a good nights rest if I go to bed hungry. That and a hot shower always does the trick.
What words would you use to describe your feet?
The bane of my existence.