Studied: Queensland Ballet Academy.
Currently: Queensland Ballet Young Artist Trainee ’24; Dutch National Ballet Junior Company, season 24/25.

Have you learned something unexpected about yourself through your full-time studies?

I have learned so much – but what stands out most is my ability to develop both artistically and technically.

When I first went there at 14, I don’t think I fully understood what I was getting myself into; that my daily goal was to get better, to strive for more, and that people’s expectations of me would grow with that. Not only that, but also that I had the ability to handle all of those aspects maturely.

I discovered that I really love ballet and realized how much I dance for myself and not for others.

How did you physically cope with the demands of the workload?

Rest is so important when you train as intensely as ballet students do. It’s precious time, usually only one day a week where you have to do something else and rest your body.

It’s also important to get a full eight hours of sleep each night and make sure you’re eating enough food to fuel your body. Treat yourself as a human being with human needs, not a 24/7 ballet dancer.

@jensonblight

@_dance_australia

@queenslandballetacademy