Samantha Green: don't compare yourself
Trained: Youth Ballet WA, formally known as Charlesworth Ballet Institute.
Presently: Current student at WAAPA, Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance).
What is your best memory of your full-time dance studies?
My best memory from my full-time dance studies would have to be the annual performances that were held by Youth Ballet, including an international gala that provided me an opportunity to perform with international students from around the world. Youth Ballet performances increased my confidence, knowledge and experience by performing in front of live audiences dancing lead roles such as The Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker, Kitri from Don Quixote and Medora from Le Corsaire.
Attending Youth Ballet, allowed me to not only work on improving my technique but also my artistry and performance quality due to the number of performances that I had the opportunity of being involved in.
The joy I experience and feel after performing only enhances my passion for the arts, all the hard work that goes into performing is so rewarding. Performing gives me such a rush of joy which makes me completely excited to one day have a career in the industry.
What was one of the main life-lessons you learnt through your full-time studies?
One main-life lesson I learnt from my full-time studies was the importance of building a solid foundation. Youth Ballet taught me the significance of developing a strong technique from the beginning and then working towards more difficult steps. When I was younger, I would try to attempt more difficult steps and then become disappointed when I wasn’t achieving what I wanted. However, after beginning fulltime training I soon realised that patience is the key, and in the end, it is more beneficial to work slower and smarter allowing my body and muscles to strengthen before attempting more advanced or difficult steps.
Samantha is featured in the 2022 Full-Time Studies Guide, published in the July/August/September issue of Dance Australia. Buy from your favourite dance retail outlet or go here and never miss an issue!