Class at National Ballet of Canada begins at either 9:45 or 10 a.m. Luckily I live very close to the studio, so I don’t have to wake up terribly early to prepare myself for the day. I aim...

One of the most important things for dancers is to stay fueled and hydrated.  I always make sure to have a bottle of water, preferably a liter, to drink throughout the day and refill. I try to...

Ballet can be one of the most stressful things. Being completely dedicated is a must in the recipe to make a professional dancer, but it is also important to find ways to wind down and take your...

We are in the midst of preparing for Swan Lake, the full production. Mixed in with in my YOU Dance rehearsals, I have had Swan Lake corps rehearsals for the shows during the Fall Season. The performances...

October 2nd was our very first YOUdance performance of the 2013/14 season! For the first performance, I danced the Black Swan pas de deux. The day before we had a dress rehearsal where I got the chance...

The first few days here at the Walter Carsen Centre (headquarters for the National Ballet of Canada) have been a little lighter than the normal workday. The rehearsal schedule wasn’t as jam packed and the ballet masters...

After four great years in San Francisco, I’m ready for a new chapter. I’ve been preparing for this move since the beginning of March, when I was offered an apprenticeship with National Ballet of Canada. After months...

Every dancer has a unique pre-performance ritual, which helps them prepare and get in the zone for the performance. Generally, dancers are required to sign into the theater half an hour before the show to let the...

I consider pointe shoes as important as my feet! In order to function properly, my feet and the shoes need to be cohesive. The art of getting the shoe to mold to the foot can take years...

Because dance is such a demanding art form, it often takes a toll on your body. I find that after a grueling season, time off is the best way to recover. Many people fear taking time off,...