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 - Alice Topp-Australian Ballet's resident choreographer

In 3 words what does dance mean to you?

Soul in motion.

2. Favourite ballet to dance?

William Forsythe’s In The Middle Somewhat Elevated and Wayne McGregor’s Infra, and Jiri Kylian’s Petit Mort...and...and.. I just can’t pick one!

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

I believe that dance is a universal language. People all over the world dance when they feel joy or when celebrating and it’s a universal way of connecting with others. Body language a big way of expressing oneself. Ballet can sometimes be trickier for people to relate to and understand but I believe most of the time it’s just that ballet is misunderstood as a form of art just to be appreciated by an elite group of people. Most ballets speak of common themes relating to the human condition - love, loss, joy, tragedy, passion - something everyone will experience in life and can connect with. And most people have a love for music! So I think it’s just about dispelling the theory that ballet is only tiaras and tulle!

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

I think when people think of ballet they believe there’s so much focus on the aesthetics - being a particular height, weight and look and having certain physical attributes and facility, like highly arched feet etc. Being a ballet dancer is SO MUCH MORE than that! You are not just a sum of your parts! To be a ballet dancer you are first and foremost an artist, a storyteller. You also require incredible mental strength to deal with the pressure of demanding schedules, relentless touring, injury and retaining countless counts and repertoire! Being a dancer requires great athleticism, strength and endurance as a performer as well as discipline, determination and commitment to get to that level. It’s so much more than “the look.”

5. What are you reading right now?

The Resilience Project by Hugh Van Cuylenburg

6. 1 thing that most people dont know about you?

That I’m a big country kid and if I’m not in pointe shoes, I’m in Blundstones.

7. 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

I would make sure every child had the opportunity to see a live performance at a venue for free. We’d fill theatres around the globe with children who’d never experienced ballet. It would be 24 hours of shows and we’d make sure children from all regional and rural areas were able to travel to their nearest venue to witness a show and meet the performers. If I had ultimate power beyond a day, I’d make sure they had access to free classes and dance education forever more!

8. Favourite ballet to watch?

Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room

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

I would tell myself not to be afraid to take up space. Not to be afraid to be different, unique and imperfect. To have courage to be seen and heard and to be unapologetically honest as an artist and human. As perfectionists, we are always spending so much of our careers self-critiquing and comparing our journey to others, but it’s all over so quickly, and you want to enjoy the short time you have! Don’t spend it wishing you were this or that but celebrate you and your unique gifts. No one else has that to offer!

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

Sadly I think it would be too big for my apartment!! I’d have to find it some land which I might turn into a wildlife conservation where we could educate people from a young age to appreciate the world and all it’s inhabitants and cultivate compassion and empathy for other living things.

Q&A with David Hallberg-Meet the Australian Ballet's new Artist Director

Last year, we connected with the Australian Ballet’s newly appointed Artistic Director, David Hallberg. David boasts an incredible ballet career including being a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and Bolshoi Ballet, and as a guest artist with the Royal Ballet.

Check out the Q&A below and discover David’s favourite ballet to watch and dance plus his hot tips for upcoming dancers.

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How old are you? 38.

What companies have you performed with? American Ballet Theatre, Guest with the Australian Ballet, Former Principal with the Bolshoi.

When you’re not touring with a company, how do you stay in shape and what is your jet lag remedy? Jet lag remedy is Melatonin! And not thinking about the previous time zone.

We already know shaving is part of the ritual of getting performance-ready, any others? Nap. Eat well. Focus the mind!

A surprising thing people don’t know about you? I love a cold beer with my manager after a show in my dressing room.

A ballet you enjoy watching rather than dancing? Almost all of New York City Ballet repertoire.

Have you ever taught adult ballet before? Would you? I have not, and don’t find myself the best teacher.

When you are in the moment and it’s effortless and perfect, what word would you use to describe that feeling for yourself? As close to euphoria as possible.

What was the last gift you received and from who? Love and care. From my boyfriend.

What was the biggest mistake you have made during a performance? Not risked enough. Worried too much.

Do you have a tip that improves flexibility? Know your limits. Warm up properly. And flexibility doesn’t make a good dancer.

You are given an elephant. You cannot sell it or give it away. What do you do? Love it. Learn from it.

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To keep up with David’s journey, check out his social media platform here. Learn more about Ballet Without Borders and our 2020 impact here. Subscribe to our newsletter to get exclusive access to future Q&As and regular updates on our growth. Ballet Without Borders: helping all children experience the joy of ballet.