Our monthly interview for the end of 2017 is with the Australian Ballet's Senior Artist-Amy Harris.

It has been an exciting and challenging year and I want to take the opportunity for the last blog post for 2017 to wish everyone an amazing 2018. May your mind be calm and your heart be full of love!

Best wishes,

Katia

Amy Harris
The Australian Ballet-Senior Artist

In 3 words what does dance mean to you?

Escapism, freedom, connection

Favourite ballet to dance?

Always such a tough question, as I have quite a few and all for many different reasons. 'Hanna' in the Merry Widow is such an exquisite ballet and it was the first full length I performed as the leading Ballerina so it is very special to me. 'Romola' in Nijinsky was so different to anything else I have ever performed and challenged me both physically and mentally. And 'Aurora' in the Sleeping Beauty is the quintessential Ballerina role

From your personal experience do you feel that ballet is accessible to most people?

As a girl from the country who had to travel to dance classes and then 2.5 hrs to see the Australian Ballet many many years ago, I would say it has certainly taken a step in the right direction to make it more accessible. I love that just within our company we have regional touring as well as Storytime ballet. A touring company that travels to the all capitals and everywhere in between.

If you could change one thing about this art-form what would it be?

I actually really don't know...

If you could give some advice to your pre professional self what would it be?

Don't sweat the small things! You have nothing to loose and everything to gain

What is a typical misconception about ballet that you would like to set straight?

A lot of people ask 'So what else do you do?'... like it's not a full time job!? It's 6 days a week!

What are you reading?

A lot of children's books to my 3 year old daughter

What inspires you to work harder everyday?

My daughter. She is my driving force. I find it really hard to do the long hours we do and be away from her a lot but I hope that one day when she is a little older and understands what I do a little more she will see how dedicated I was to this art form. I also hope this inspires her and therefore she will be as driven, passionate and determined in what ever she wishes to do in life

Ballet without Borders aims to allow children from disadvantaged backgrounds to experience ballet- if you had ultimate power for a day what would you do to make this happen?

Oh if I had ultimate power for a day I would take you all into my world for a day. Dress up in all kinds of costumes get our hair and make up done and take to the stage together. How magical would that be.

Photography by Kate Longley