Q&A with Olivia Bell

We were thrilled to sit with Olivia Bell recently, as the newest appointed member of Ballet Without Borders! Olivia was a principal dancer of The Australian Ballet and currently lives with her husband and 4 children in Melbourne.

1. In 3 words what does ballet mean to you?

Storytelling. Belonging. Expression

2. What would be your favourite ballet to dance?

That is a bit like asking which is my favourite child…
I always loved performing technically challenging roles with a strong story line. Characters such as Manon, Baroness in Swan Lake, Flavia in Spartacus and Scheherazade are some that come to mind.

3. Do you believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form?

I had a lot of help along the way … I remember extended family buying my pointe shoes when my mum couldn’t, also ballet schools offering me scholarships to support tuition. I won many competitions which offered prize money. If it wasn’t for that support I may not have been able to continue in ballet.

4. What do you believe is a typical misconception about ballet that you would like to set straight?

There are so many…
I actually don’t believe that many “non ballet people” understand the sacrifices made by everyone in a ballet family… it takes over your spare time, your family time (holidays) your life. I also know that ballet dancers are sometimes seen as uptight, conservative restrained individuals who haven’t lived life to the fullest because of ballet - from my experience on the contrary is true - dancers are free spirited, open minded individuals who develop a strong sense of self from an early age and often gain life skills and independence at a much younger age than most .

5. What are you reading right now?

There are 3 books on my bedside table at the moment but I am mostly reading “Wifedom” by Anna Funder. It is about George Orwell and his relationship with his wife Eileen.
Another book I am reading is ‘The Secret Barrister ‘ stories of the Law and how it’s Broken’. I love real life crime and related stories. Dark stuff that keeps me thinking.
The third book is one I started reading 2 years ago… chipping away slowly. Maybe not worth the mention.

6. 1 thing that most people don't know about you?

Well I actually think that anyone who knows me well knows this about me - I am a passionate knitter… my mum and grandparents all knitted and I learnt from a very young age. Receiving a hand knitted garment is very special- I love making bespoke knits for special people in my life.

7. Why is the work BWB do so important?

BWB brings together 2 things I love - ballet and opportunity. Both are sacred to me and if I can be involved in an organisation which offers this to others then I feel an immediate connection. Sharing the love of a platform of expression which has given me immense joy and fulfilment is invaluable.

8. Favourite ballet to watch?

Another tough one to answer because ballet to me is so much more than the visual and the steps.  Music makes up so much of a performance, so does connecting with your character and audience. Because of that I have to love the music as much as the choreography, therefore most Tchaikovsky ballets are my favourites.

9. If you could go back to a point in time in your life, what advice would you give yourself?

The advice I would give myself is to give more thank you’s and gratitude along the way. So many people helped me achieve my dream and I would go back in time and thank them all individually.

10. You have been given an elephant! You cannot sell it or give it away, what do you do?

teach it to dance!!!

Q&A with Kirby Selchow

In 3 words what does ballet mean to you?

Passion, joy, freedom

What would be your favourite ballet to dance?

This question is really hard for me to answer.. My ten years with RNZB I have been really fortunateto have been involved in 17 new creations for the company, so a few highlights of mine would be having the role of Gretel in the full length ballet Hansel & Gretel choreographed by resident choreographer Loughlan Prior in 2019 after this ballet I was promoted to Soloist. Another work is Stand To Reason Choreographed by Andrea Schermoly, this work is a strong contemporary work with 8 women and is about the women’s suffrage movement “ Ten Reason Why Women Should Vote”, Another ballet is Liam Scarlett’s A Midsummer Nights Dream this was created on the company in 2015 and toured to Honk Kong in 2016, later this year the company is performing this ballet for our end of year production.

Do you believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form?

Ballet has traditionally been associated exclusivity due to factors like cost and accessibility to training. However, efforts to make it more accessible through outreach programs, scholarships and digital platforms are helping to broaden its reach. It is great that we live in a society / generation now that so big with its online platforms that makes ballet easily accessible, however it’s not universally accessible yet, there are still barriers for some individuals due to factors like cost and location.

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

That ballet is just for females and its all Tiaras and tutus! Male dancers play a crucial role in ballet performances, demonstrating strength, agility and grace. This misconception overlooks the significant contributions of a male dancer to this art form and the diverse roles they perform. You would never have a picture without its frame and every partner needs their strong frame.

What are you reading right now?

David McAllisters – Ballet Confidential

One thing that most people don't know about you?

I iron my bed sheets! Yes I cant get into my bed without freshly Ironed sheets.

Why is the work BWB do so important?

A lot of my “non” ballet friends say that they wished they could have done ballet when they where younger but their parents couldn’t afford and yet pay to go se the ballet. BWB are opening a door and is making accessible to the wider community that have never ben exposed to ballet, for those who have been less fortunate or have never had the chance to dance. By sharing this wonderful ballet community its gives every child an opportunity to become ballet lovers and to inspire our future generations to continue to pass on this long life legacy.

Favourite ballet to watch?

Graeme Murphy Swan Lake! I remember when I was young seeing this ballet for the time I was transfixed, my mum also brought me the “ on the wings of a swan” DVD which is about when The Australian ballet toured to the UK with this ballet, I think I watched it every weekend.

If you could go back to a point in time in your life, what advice would you give yourself?

I have always been really hard on myself and even till this day. I would tell my younger self to believe, trust and be kind to yourself because you have gift, you work hard and hard work pays off. Everyone has something different to offer.

You have been given an elephant! You cannot sell it or give it away, what do you do?

I’d focus on providing it with the best care possible, open a Elephant sanctuary creating a suitable living environment, ensuring it has proper nutrition and exploring opportunities for it to serve as an ambassador for wildlife conservation or education programs. If it was an ornamental elephant I would give it a good polish put it on the shelf, and hope it would bring me good luck, happiness and prosperity.

Q&A with Laurynas Vėjalis

In 3 words what does ballet mean to you?

Passion, purpose, freedom.

What would be your favourite ballet to dance?

One of my favourites to dance was Albrecht in Giselle, I had an opportunity to dance the role when I just became principal dancer at Royal New Zealand Ballet and it had huge impact on my ballet career. I also loved performing and being part of the ballet Onegin and Nijinsky.

Do you believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form?

It depends. If you live in big cities, there are multiple opportunities to watch ballet or take lessons in many different schools, but it is hard to have same access to that if you live in more rural areas. Also, ballet is well established as an art culture in Europe for example, because of that, there is a lot of support from government, community and organization so that they can make ballet more accessible, but there aren’t many countries outside Europe that values ballet in the same way. I hope ballet can become more universally accessible.

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

It is sad fact but I have to say when people say ‘that when you work hard, you will be

rewarded’ is not always the case in ballet world. Yes, I have seen many hard-working people succeed in professional ballet career, but also I have seen many talented dancers who don’t get same opportunity as others even when they put so much effort. Ballet is a beautiful art form but sometimes ballet world can be complicated place.

What are you reading right now?

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.

One thing that most people don’t know about you?

I’m a bit of clean freak. I am constantly cleaning something.

Why is the work BWB do so important?

Ballet can be very expensive thing whether you watching or dancing. That’s why I think many people are hesitant to reach out to this industry. BWB ensures that everyone should be given an opportunity to be introduced to this wonderful art form no matter what your financial status or background is.

Favourite ballet to watch?

I absolutely love Manon. Score, emotion, musicality and technicality of Pas de Duex, it’s just beautiful masterpiece. I also love watching Dances at a gathering by Jerome Robbins, William Forsythe’s works, Bolero by Maurice Bèjart.

If you could go back to a point in time in your life, what advice would you give yourself?

Probably I will tell myself to see the bigger picture and try not to think too much or be afraid to fail. Everything will work out in the end. Enjoy the process.

You have been given an elephant! You cannot sell it or give it away, what do you do?

Hope I can have huge forest somewhere with other elephants, so that elephant can thrive in their natural habitat because that’s where they belong and they deserve the best.

Q&A with Franziska Rosenzweig

Franziska Rosenzweig, founder of Holistic Ballet® and creator of the Holistic Ballet DVD series, was born in Berlin, East Germany. After graduating from the State Ballet School in Berlin, she danced with the German State Opera Berlin (now Staatsballet Berlin) and the Peter Schaufuss Ballet in Denmark. In 1998, Franziska relocated to London, transitioning from a freelance artist to a ballet teacher, concurrently adding Gyrotonic®, Pilates, and yoga to her skill set. Her teaching engagements spanned locations like India, and included professional dance companies like Random Dance, Richard Alston, and Ballet Prejlocaj. Presently, Franziska teaches amateur dancers at Pineapple Dance Studios and her studio in East London.

In 3 words what does ballet mean to you?

complex, challenging, life-changing

What would be your favourite ballet to dance?

My favourite part of dancing was Tchaikovsky pas de deux. I loved the female solo the first time I saw it and I was fortunate to be given that role a few years later. I wish I could have danced it with the knowledge I have now to make it even more enjoyable.

Do you believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form?

I believe the UK has varied outreach programmes for school children. However, to attend more serious ballet training without being on the path of a professional dancer and a scholarship may be very costly.

What do you believe is a typical misconception about ballet that you would like to set

straight?  

As I am in the field of amateur adult ballet training, the most common misconceptions are that one has to be young and flexible to attend ballet classes, and probably female too.

What are you reading right now?

I just started reading ‘Determined: Life Without Free Will by Robert Sapolsky. I am not sure whether I will manage to read the entire volume but as I am also a trained hypnotherapist, I am fascinated by the way our minds work. That’s another thing I wish I had known more about during my active dancing career.

One thing that most people don’t know about you?

My great dislike for chamomile tea.

Why is the work BWB do so important?

There would be too many things to list. But to name a few: every child should have the right to explore and express themselves kinetically through dance. Moreover, movement and dance education help to counteract the negative physical and mental consequences of our sedentary culture and screen time addiction. In our current society, where anything that does not promise immediate measurable profit is seen as dispensable, we need organisations like BWB to challenge these ideologies and show how crucial movement and dance are the the development of children’s social skills and their evolving brains.

Favourite ballet to watch?

I was absolutely mesmerised by Sharon Eyal’s Half-Life that the Berlin Staatsballet streamed for free during lockdown. I usually find it difficult to watch dance on a screen but this piece and the incredible dancers drew me in completely. I hope to get the chance to watch it live one day.

If you could go back to a point in time in your life, what advice would you give yourself?

I would encourage my younger self to find a confidant to talk to. As a teenager, I was extremely withdrawn and dealt with my problems on my own instead of seeking mental and emotional support.

You have been given an elephant! You cannot sell it or give it away, what do you do?

I guess, I would have to give up my life as it is, take my cat Herbert, and move to a place where Icould make a home for us and the elephant.

Q&A with Shane Wuerthner

Shane’s dance journey began at The Kirov Academy of Ballet, where he graduated top of his class in 2004! His exceptional skill and artistry were recognised by several prestigious companies, including San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet, and Vienna State Ballet. Wuerthner accepted the offer from Vienna State Ballet and joined as a corps de ballet memberin 2005. In 2012, he made a significant move to The San Francisco Ballet as a soloist. In 2014, Wuerthner joined Queensland Ballet as a Soloist, and his unwavering commitment and consistent performances led to his promotion to Principal in 2015.

Having retired from ballet in 2017 to begin a career as a personal trainer. His knowledge of dancer conditioning and passion for fitness quickly made him a sought-after figure in this field. Notably, he was named Personal Trainer of the Year before he had even completed a year as a trainer. Wuerthner's experience in fitness led him to establish Athletistry Personal Training, a venture that focused on adult ballet coaching and holistic movement practices. Building on the success of this venture, he launched Athletistry Studio, which marked his return to the ballet world in an administrative capacity.

In 3 words what does ballet mean to you?

My life’s passion

What would be your favourite ballet to dance?

My favourite ballet I ever danced was Anna Karenina by Boris Eifman. I had the opportunity to dance both the corps de ballet and Vronsky. It was an incredibly challenging ballet in which no one had the same choreography. I remember when people would get sick or injured in the corps, it would often take 4 people just to replace 1 person, and if any of the 3 principals went off they would replace the entire principal cast.

Do you believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form?

I think it has become more accessible in recent years, but it still has a long way to go. Other forms of commercial dance have opened a gateway to ballet being more widely accepted, but it still sits in an elite space that still is out of reach for many. The cost of performances and ballet training can be extremely high which places ballet in a higher socio-economic bracket. Efforts that have made ballet more accessible have included outreach programs, scholarships for talented dancers from underprivileged backgrounds, and the incorporation of contemporary themes and music to attract a younger and more diverse audience. Digital platforms have also played a crucial role in making ballet more accessible both through performances and in a training capacity as is the case with what I offer through Athletistry. Despite these efforts, the challenge remains to fully democratise ballet and make it truly accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status, background, or geography. This requires not only addressing the financial barriers but also challenging the cultural perceptions that frame ballet as anexclusive art form. By continuing to innovate and open doors to diverse audiences and talents, I believe ballet will evolve to be more inclusive, reflecting a broader spectrum of society's narratives and experiences.

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

That it is all pink tutus and fairies. Ballet is incredibly powerful in it’s ability to portray complex societal narratives and emotions. Especially through much of the choreography done in the mid to late 20th century we see a development towards unique stories being told with deeply touching story lines that weren’t evident in the classical and romantic era of ballet. I also think ballet is seen as something only for women. As a man in ballet, the training I experienced was intense, challenging and very masculine in it’s design. I had a male Ukrainian teacher and our classes would run for 4-5 hours 6 days per week. Jumps, turns, athleticism and power were all emphasised and prioritised.

What are you reading right now?

The Book on Mental Toughness by Andy Frisella and The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene

One thing that most people don't know about you?

My first dream in life was to be a musical theatre artist on broadway. I actually didn’t like ballet very much as a child until I had the opportunity to train with a male ballet teacher named Mikko Nissinen who is now Artistic director of Boston Ballet.

Why is the work BWB do so important?

It is bridging the accessibility gap for those who would otherwise never be exposed to the incredible art of ballet. This is so essential as it is how the art form will be maintained into the future. By sharing ballet with children we build the possibility that they will become lifelong lovers of ballet if not performers or teachers who become it’s future custodians.

Favourite ballet to watch?

La Bayadere

If you could go back to a point in time in your life, what advice would you give yourself?

Speak up. I was always very quiet, and not a great advocate for myself. As a result I often ended up being a push over and this lead to me feeling unvalued. So many of the misunderstandings I had in my career could have been avoided had I communicated how I felt earlier.

You have been given an elephant! You cannot sell it or give it away, what do you do?

Teach it to dance.

Q&A with The Whole Dancer

Jess Spinner is a former professional dancer and now a multi-certified holistic health, nutrition, and lifestyle coach for dancers through her company The Whole Dancer. She supports dancers to find a balanced approach to food, their bodies, dance, and life. Through coaching, dancers are able to prioritize their well-being and at the same time achieve their highest dance goals–paid jobs, professional school enrollment, exciting dance roles, and so much more.

1. In 3 words what does ballet mean to you?

Joy, freedom, pain.

These days it’s mostly got positive associations however, it used to bring me a lot of pain, struggle and turmoil. So, I have to include that as well. 

2. What would be your favourite ballet to dance?

I missed out on Swan Lake due to an injury and it’s always been a favorite of mine. It would absolutely be a dream to perform and I’m not even interested in the leads. I’d just love to be a part of the swan corps!

3. Do you believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form?

No. There are still a lot of barriers. That’s just the reality. Tickets to see ballet performances are at times totally out of reach for people. Many schools take dancers who all look the same and that leaves people feeling very left out. 

There are some simple ways to change but it does require that the heads of companies and schools take a good look at themselves and get really honest about where their biases lie. This takes really hard work. I actually wrote an article on unconscious bias in dance teaching for Dance Teacher Magazine online. You can check it out here: 

https://dance-teacher.com/unconscious-biases-dance-teaching-practice/

4.  What do you believe is a typical misconception about ballet that you would like to set straight?  

I think there’s still a pretty extreme misconception among young dancers and dance parents that only the smallest bodied dancers can succeed. This misconception exists in the public as well wherein people think they can’t dance unless they’re thin or a certain size.

All bodies can dance. That openness does need to be communicated in order for the art form to become more accessible. 

5. What are you reading right now?

I’m currently reading How to Be, Do, or Have Anything: A practical guide to creative empowerment by Laurence G. Boldt. It’s a great book and I highly recommend it. It’s very actionable, which I love. 

6. 1 thing that most people don’t know about you?

I’m a pretty open book. I share a lot about myself and my experience online, especially about my dance journey. Maybe, most people don’t know that I’m an Aquarius and I’m actually very into astrology. That’s something I don’t talk about all that much. I can often guess what zodiac sign my clients are based on our conversations. 

7.  Why is the work BWB does so important?

This work is essential. There are very real barriers to ballet being accessible. It’s something that can be enjoyed by many, even if they never go on to pursue it professionally. Dance students are the future patrons, donors, and supporters of the arts. If we want ballet to go on and to thrive into a changing future, we need to find ways to make it a more accessible, comfortable, and kind place. 

8. Favourite ballet to watch?

It’s back to Swan Lake for me! I particularly like Boston Ballet’s version. It’s pretty magical. 

9. If you could go back to a point in time in your life, what advice would you give yourself?

I would go back to my early teen years. That’s the time I started to fixate on my body shape and size and to worry that my body wasn’t right for ballet. I wasn’t even able to acknowledge the physical attributes that were considered helpful for dance. It was also at this time that I started down a path of disordered eating patterns that lasted for over a decade of my life. I would tell myself that my body was fine. That I needed to allow it to go through the normal hormonal changes and maturation that were healthy and expected. I would let myself know that fueling adequately was what would yield the best dancing AND what would allow me to feel best in my own skin. I would share some of the amazing things I’ve learned and the ways I support dancers now through The Whole Dancer. 

10. You have been given an elephant! You cannot sell it or give it away, what do you do?

Hmm, my first impulse is to find a way to return it to the wild or to create some sort of sanctuary for it. I suppose if I can’t give it away I’d seek out donors to provide funds to build it a sanctuary. My goal would certainly be to find a way to make the elephant as happy as possible and to create a life for it that’s as close to its natural habitat.

Q & A with Vito Bernasconi

We had the pleasure of interviewing Vito, current soloist with The Queensland Ballet.

1. In 3 words what does ballet mean to you?

Passion, Courage, Creativity

2. What would be your favourite ballet to dance?

Sir Kenneth Macmillan’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. While I’ve performed Tybalt, Mercutio, Lord Capulet and Lead Mandolin, I’ve never performed Romeo and hopefully one day I can experience the role.

3. Do you believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form?

I believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form to watch and perform in metropolitan areas, and the more outreach we can undertake as a community, the more possibility there is to affect many more future dancers and performers in wider reaching areas of this country and the world. 

4.  What do you believe is a typical misconception about ballet that you would like to set straight?  

I have a few:

Ballet is not just for girls, it is for anyone and everyone. Ballet does not define your sexuality. MYTH: Ballet is easy. FACT: Anyone who does ballet requires a high level of physical, mental, psychological and emotional fortitude. It is an art form for the strong, focussed and determined. 

5. What are you reading right now?

I have just finished ‘What Doesn’t Kill Us’ by Scott Carney, and am excited to have begun reading ‘Mr. Einstein’s Secretary’ by Matthew Reilly. He’s one of my favourite authors. 

6. 1 thing that most people don't know about you?

I hate sand out of context. Unless I’m having a beach day and able to rinse it off, it really annoys me. 

7.  Why is the work BWB does so important? 

Everyone needs art in their lives and I believe that everyone deserves to express themselves creatively and passionately in any way they wish. With the mission of bringing ballet to as many people as possible, BWB is ensuring that more people have the possibility to have ballet enriching and enhancing their lives. 

8. Favourite ballet to watch?

I have always admired After The Rain by Christopher Wheeldon. The music, Spiegel I’m Spiegel by Arvo Pärt, and choreography have an incredible symbiotic connection and it has been a dream of mine to one day perform the main Pas De Deux.

9. If you could go back to a point in time in your life, what advice would you give yourself?

I would go back to any time that I’ve had a big decision to make and remind myself, ‘Trust your instincts and follow your heart’. 

10. You have been given an elephant! You cannot sell it or give it away, what do you do?

I would call it Dumbo, Trunks or Stampy and wonder how I was going to get it up to, and fit in, my apartment! I would also be obligated to come into any awkward conversation to comprehensively and effectively express, ‘the elephant in the room’.

Q & A with Chloe Angyal

Meet Chloe Angyal, the author of Turning Pointe-How a new generation of dancers is saving ballet from itself. Turning Pointe is a book about the future of ballet, and a reckoning with all the forces – racism, sexism, elitism, and more – that endanger that future.

Chloe originally hails from Sydney and is now based in Iowa in the US.

In 3 words what does ballet mean to you?

Tradition, progress, potential.

What would be your favourite ballet to dance?

I'd want to be a Wili! The corps work in the second act of Giselle is so intense and beautiful, and who doesn't want to belong to a sorority of vengeful ghost brides?

Do you believe that ballet is a readily accessible art-form?

No. It's exclusive in so many ways: it's expensive to train and to watch, it's unaccepting of those who fall outside of a strict gender binary, and it's generally a hostile environment for dancers of colour, especially Black dancers and most especially Black girls and women.

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

Inside the ballet world, I think there's a misconception that ballet cannot and does not change, and that's simply untrue. The history of ballet is a history of radical change; it's what has allowed the artform to survive as the world around it changes. Those inside the ballet world are too willing to call stagnation or oppression "tradition," and that threatens the future of the art form.

What are you reading right now?

Heartbreaker, by Sarah MacLean. I love a good romance novel.

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?

Strip tuition down to what's actually essential to pay teachers well and make sure kids get a safe and fulfilling experience. Put teachers of colour in every dance school, regardless of the racial makeup of the students, so that all ballet students grow up seeing people of colour as dance leaders and as sources of knowledge about the art form. Commission dozens of new story ballets that tell new stories from around the world, not the same old European fairy tales ballet has been rehashing for the last two centuries. Design and bring to market a safe, affordable, durable pointe shoe in as many skin tones as possible.

Favourite ballet to watch?

After the Rain, by Christopher Wheeldon.

If you could go back to a point in time in your life, what advice would you give yourself?

I'd go back to age 12, when I was told that my body wasn't right for ballet, and when I started believing that made me a failure. I'd tell myself that ballet technique has no moral valence, and that being good at ballet doesn't make you a good person. It just makes you good at ballet.

You have been given an elephant! You cannot sell it or give it away, what do you do?

In exchange for food and care at a sanctuary, I'd lend it for stud services, so that we can rebuild elephant populations in the wild.

Story of one of our sponsored children-Daniel

Hello Readers,

During our Penrith workshop in April this year, we spotted a talented young boy and had the opportunity to sponsor him to go to his local ballet school, Glenbrook Ballet Academy.

Daniel loves ballet. He loved our workshop so much that he tried to teach his sister some moves! He has since sat his first Royal Academy of Dance primary ballet exam.

‘'I was so excited to hear that Daniel had won a scholarship from you. He came back from the class he took so inspired and ready to take on the ballet world.

Since then he has gone from strength to strength and has been working so hard for his Primary ballet exam. He really is such a talented young boy with so much promise and potential. He has incredibly strong legs and feet and beautiful turnout and he loves to jump, all the traits for a ballet master in the making.”

-Miss Ilona, Daniel’s teacher at Glenbrook Ballet Academy

We are so proud to have been able to support Daniel in his love of ballet and look forward to following Daniel’s ballet journey.

Workshop Success-Penrith

Hello lovely readers,

I am pleased to announce that our first ballet workshop in Penrith was a success with another one to be run in conjunction with PCYC during the winter school holidays in July. 

Our lovely students learned ballet basics such as common ballet positions, turns, jumps and interesting ballet facts. We also ran a nutrition session sponsored by Harris Farm and had some lovely goody bags to hand out at the end of class. 

Thank you to all the students and my two wonderful teachers, Mitch and Sharyn for making this day so wonderful!
xx

Katia