Defining my Practice

Artists, on the whole, are deeply passionate about their craft, often pouring everything into becoming the best version of themselves. This dedication allows them to produce their finest work within the framework of their profession. As a professional ballet dancer, I could define my practice as training, rehearsing, and performing on stage. However, in reality, it is much more than what I deliver in class, rehearsals or on stage that truly defines my practice.

Within the main aspects of my job, training, rehearsing, and performing, there are many sub-aspects to consider. The training portion of my profession can be broken down into ballet class, Pilates, cross-training in the gym, maintaining my physical and mental health, and self-reflection. To get the most out of my daily ballet class, rehearsals, and performances, I need to ensure my body is functioning at its maximum capacity for that day. While some factors are beyond my control, I focus on enhancing my body’s and mind’s capabilities, both artistically and physically, through what I can control. Another essential element of my preparation is my pointe shoes, which, aside from my body and mind, are my most important tools. It takes about an hour and a half to prepare a single pair of pointe shoes. This process includes sewing ribbons and elastics, darning the tips for stability, softening and re-glueing the shanks, adjusting the vamps, and hammering the shoes to minimise noise. Having the right shoes is crucial for preventing injury and dancing at my best. During busy periods, I can go through as many as ten pairs a month, so this preparation is vital to my success.

For my body, preparation on any given day could mean working with a personal trainer or independently in the gym to strengthen muscles and prevent injury, consulting a physiotherapist to address any pain or injuries, and managing my nutrition and hydration. Once I’m in ballet class, my goal is to warm up my body for the day; whether it’s a rehearsal, a performance, or both- and improve my technique. My practice involves learning the combinations set by the ballet master, executing them to the best of my ability using my professional knowledge, reflecting on my performance, and incorporating feedback to enhance my technique and artistry.

As a professional ballet dancer, my typical day primarily consists of rehearsals. This part of my practice involves learning and mastering the choreography for various ballets and roles, contributing to the creative process with choreographers, working together with colleagues, and refining my technique, musicality, and artistry to deliver my best performance on stage. Preparing for rehearsals often includes ‘homework,’ such as watching videos to learn choreography or different positions within the corps de ballet.

The performance aspect of my profession is, for me, the most exciting. In practice, it includes pre-show preparations like fuelling and hydrating my body well, doing my hair and makeup, and doing an adequate warm-up. My practice during a performance involves collaborating with both artistic and technical colleagues, executing the choreography to the best of my ability, maintaining safety on and around the stage, and staying hydrated. Touring is another significant aspect of my performance practice. I will be on tour for around six weeks this season, and while touring, my practice expands to include travelling nationally and internationally by plane, train, and coach, staying in hotels, and dancing in various theatres with different stage sizes and conditions.

In essence, my practice of being a ballet dancer goes far beyond the moments spent on stage. My practice encompasses a holistic approach, where the physical, mental, and creative aspects all play an influential role in shaping my performance. Training, rehearsing, and performing are only parts of a much larger framework of dedication and discipline that allows me to grow continuously as a human, an artist and an athlete.