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 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.

Q&A With Evie Ferris

In 3 words what does dance mean to you?

Discovery, connection, expression.

 Favourite ballet to dance?

Tough to pick just one! Different ballets inspire different things within me and there are so many beautiful productions I am yet to experience.

Swan Lake is one of the first ballet’s I performed with The Australian Ballet so it holds a special place in my heart. It is a challenging but incredibly rewarding ballet and there is nothing like dancing on stage alongside friends and colleagues, completely immersed in such a timeless piece. 

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

Ballet is not a readily accessible art form, though it is becoming more so through projects dedicated to reaching broader audiences and organisations like Ballet Without Borders. I recognise my privilege and the opportunities that got me to where I am today and never take them for granted. I think it’s important that people use their opportunities to help others and I hope that I can advocate and pave the way in making ballet more accessible to children in all walks of life. 

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

 The idea that ballet dancers have to be a certain height and/or weight. I think this is slowly improving but it’s so important for the health and well-being of emerging dancers to know that our strengths are in our uniqueness and individuality.  

What are you reading right now?

“Raising Girls Who Like Themselves” – Kasey Edwards & Dr Christopher Scanlon

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

I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Food and Nutrition. Sometimes it’s hard to fit this in to my schedule but it’s very rewarding and I’m getting a lot out of it. 

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’d organise free masterclasses right around the world that all children, from all backgrounds, can participate in. Followed by free performances and Q&A’s with professional ballet dancers. Ensuring that remote localities are reached.

Favourite ballet to watch?

Couldn’t pick just one! Giselle, In the Upper Room, Alice In Wonderland. They are all so different and versatile which is something I love about this art form. 

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

Don’t let the belief of others or your own self-doubt hold you back. Mistakes are a vital part of growth. You are worthy and your story is important.  

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

I would create a talk show where the elephant has a comfortable space to live in and invite people to talk about the elephant in the room - uncomfortable topics like racism and class bullying to bring awareness to important social topics.

Picture by Kate Longely

Q&A with Vicki Attard

This month we have an interview with Vicki Attard. Vicki has had an amazing professional career including former principal artist with The Australian Ballet and having had the role of Interim Director of the Houston Ballet Academy. Vicki has been instructing at many major Sydney institutions over the past 21 years and has produced her own unique pointe programs, entitled ‘My Beginner Pointe’ and ‘My Pointe’, which are all- encompassing programs specifically designed for young dancers and dance teachers alike, covering the safe dance practices and aesthetic components involved in the instruction of pointe work.

In 3 words what does ballet mean to you?

My whole world!

Favourite ballet to dance?

Romeo and Juliet (Cranko), In the Middle Somewhat Elevated (Forsythe), Madam Butterfly (Welch), Jardi Tancat (Nacho Duato). It's impossible to choose just one favourite and I may just give you different answers tomorrow!

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

Yes, I believe ballet is a readily accessible art-form, because in the true sense of those two words, it is 'within reach' or 'easy to get to'. Is it affordable? No, it most certainly is not. Going to the ballet is an expensive venture, however from a different perspective, running a large ballet company involves a grand scale of exorbitant costs, which must be considered in relation to the ticket cost. There is the company's extensive payroll as well as visiting artists for each ballet requiring remuneration as well as lodgings and per diem for the length of contract required. Not to mention Theatre rental, marketing, promotion and associated touring costs.

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

That if you work hard enough, you can achieve your dream of dancing professionally. There are simply too many variables involved to think that this can be a steadfast reality. Simply wanting it and working hard for it, is just the start, a very important start, but unfortunately just the fundamental beginning of becoming a professional dancer.

5. What are you reading right now?

The Opposite of Fate.

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

I left school and accepted an administrative job with Mackay City Council working in a Typing Pool for 2 years, before undertaking an offer from the Australian Ballet School for its three-year diploma course.

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 think it would be most gratifying to organise 'a typical day in the life of' with their favourite dancer lasting from sunrise to sunset. This would obviously include participating in general company class mid-morning, watching rehearsals & playing dress-ups.

Favourite ballet to watch?

Romeo and Juliet. The music and story both lend themselves to the most tragic of all stories to be expressed through dance.

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

I would remind myself to focus on the big picture, enjoy the moment, stop worrying about what could happen, remember every precious moment, and to keep a detailed diary so that when you get older you can remember it time and time again.

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

I would sell my Sydney home, ship the elephant back to its original home and resettle with it. Elephants are highly intelligent with an impressive range of emotions that humans can connect with. They should be treated with the utmost of respect.

Pointe Shoe prep with Senior Artist Valerie Tereshchenko

For World Ballet Day 2021 - we have asked senior artist of the The Australian Ballet and BWB Board member Valerie to share her pointe shoe prep…

Progress...

Hello Readers,

There has been much progress on the Ballet without Borders front.

Everything from letterheads designed to pointe shoes decorated!

We have our list of schools in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, we have our letters written and things are ready to move to the next phase.

If you are reading this and have any insights or connections in the Campbelltown, Busby-Miller-Liverpool area or surrounds, we would love to hear from you! Give us a call on 0410668655 or drop us a line at info@balletwithoutborders.org

On another (but still Ballet related) note, the Australian Ballet's Swan Lake was magnificent. So beautiful and the corps were just stunning.  Big congratulations!