What is your most memorable performance in your life?
My most memorable performance to date was dancing as Demetrius in Youri Vamos’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the National Moravian – Silesian Theatre in Czech Republic.
I will never forget that performance because I only had two days to rehearse due to an injury. But with the help of my dance partners, I managed to press through and perform to the best of my ability for consecutive shows. It was an experience that left a very deep impression in life because through it, I learnt a lot about myself as a dancer, and it taught me how to work faster and to believe in myself, even under difficult circumstances.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
I will always do some barre warm-ups and exercises before any performance, whether it is in studio or on stage with a proper barre, or even in the corridor of the theatre with a chair or desk. Also, another habit I have is that I do not do my pre performance preparation to classical music, but to musical soundtracks or whatever song is on the current hit charts, it seems to keep me less nervous before the performance.
After doing my warm-up exercises, I will take some quiet time to do my hair and make-up, put on my costume, and then go through the choreography just a few more times before the show starts.
How has dance changed your life?
Dance changed my life completely. I grew up in a small country town in Australia, and dance gave me the opportunity to move to Melbourne, and to perform in various place all around Australia. Dance also opened the door for me to perform in many other countries like Indonesia, Romania, Czech Republic, and now, Singapore. Without dance, I don’t think I would have had all these opportunities to travel and to see the world, which has opened me to so many different experiences and cultures. Dance has also brought many people into my life, and many of them have become great friends and family. I have dance to thank for making my life so wonderful, and for allowing me to grow as a person.
Favourite costume, choreography, performance, dancer?
I absolutely love Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, from the sets, to the costumes and choreography, everything is simply so spectacular and amazing.
My favourite dancer is Steven McRae, who is a principal dancer from the Royal Ballet, London. I think that he is a tremendous dancer, performer, and actor, who is so clean, fluid and neat in his movement. His performance in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland as the Mad Hatter, where he had to incorporate tap dancing in to the choreography, was simply mesmerising. His versatility astounds me too; he can be dancing as a beautiful prince one night, then a modern role like Chroma or Frankenstein on the next night. He is incredibly talented and I really enjoy following him on Instagram as it motivates me when I see all the hard work he puts in to achieve all that he does as a dancer.
What is your greatest fulfilment in being a dancer?
To me, the greatest fulfilment is in causing the audience to feel a certain way without using words, and being able to convey so much emotion through movements in my body. I love the satisfaction I feel when I hear the reaction from the audience after a hard performance. Not every audience member will love every performance, but to know that I have done my best to make them feel something, that is an achievement that fulfils me as a dancer.
What is your dream role in a classical ballet?
I was lucky enough to get to dance my dream role in my last year of schooling at the National Theatre Ballet School, which is Albrecht from Giselle. I think it is such a romantic story and I love the journey he goes through – from loving Giselle, to nearly dancing to his death for her, and finally being left alone upon her grave. I will never forget that after the performance, I was left with so much emotions within me as the role carried so much dynamics. I dream that one day I will be able to dance this role in a professional company.
What are your top three qualities as a dancer?
- Determination to improve and make things better. I love the feeling of working hard and I am determined to get better.
- Respect for myself and my fellow colleges. I always have respect for my mentors, idols, teachers, friends, and colleges in and out of the studio.
- Emotions. I feel that I have a quality in my dancing to be able to use my body in a way that speaks and tells a message, rather than to just work through the steps of a dance.
If a choreographer created a work on you, what do you think it will be about?
Definitely nothing too serious. It would probably be a work that tends towards the fun, bubbly, and light hearted type of choreography, because of my natural personality. But I’m really not sure, and it would be interesting to find out.
What do you want to do after dancing?
I would love to be a Primary School teacher or teach English in a foreign country. I love teaching kids and watching them grow up, so I think it would be amazing if I can inspire and help these young ones in any way I can, whether it be in dance or everyday education.
Quote or motto to live by?
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best.” – Tim Duncan
A really simple quote, but one of profound meaning and depth – to always push myself to the limits, to constantly be ready and open to learning and growing, and never settling for anything less than what is my best.
