What piece are you looking forward to the most in your final Showcase?
Anna: I think I’m most excited for Hiroto’s second piece, I love the music that he chose.
Kelsey: That’s a hard decision because I like each of them for different reasons. I’m really excited to do Eddie [Elliott]’s piece, it is definitely outside of my comfort zone but I know that’s good for me.
How do you prepare for a performance?
Anna: I make sure everything is ready for the performance. You can’t stress about it because you have already done everything beforehand and you have to trust that your body is going to be able to do it.
Kelsey: I go over everything but 15 minutes before I try not to go over anything. I try to relax and make sure everything is in place.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
Anna: I usually just make sure that my ribbons and point shoes are tucked in and that I don’t have lipstick on my chin or teeth.
Kelsey: I usually text my family, to let them know that I’m performing, that’s about it. I don’t have any weird or crazy superstitions.
Has anything changed from the beginning of Junior Company to now?
Anna: Because we have done a lot of re choreographing, learning all the little changes has helped me gain a better knowledge of the choreography, musicality and rhythm.
Kelsey: I think of Ballet Jorgen’s method of technique more when I dance.
What are your most memorable experiences from Junior Company?
Anna: I think it’s really great meeting everyone since everyone is from a different place. There are people from all over the country and it’s amazing to see how they were trained and what they are doing.
Kelsey: It’s cool coming from all different countries that you can still make friends with everyone even in five weeks.
What would you recommend to other young dancers that are interested in joining Junior Company?
Anna: Be open-minded and be ready to dance and love dance. Take everything as a new experience.
Kelsey: They should definitely audition.
Do you have any advice that you would give young aspiring dancers?
Anna: Make sure that you don’t forget the reason why you dance. It’s easy to get in the mindset of “I have to fix this and that” but in the grand scheme of it, you’re dancing because of your passion for it. That’s going to show when you are performing.
Kelsey: I would say to be patient with yourself and always be hungry for advice and any experience that you can get. Don’t just stay in one place, go to as many different places as you can to learn as much as you can.
In 10 words or less, describe your experience at Ballet Jorgen.
Anna: It has been very hard but very rewarding.
Kelsey: Exhausting, long days but it was all worth it.
What does the next 5 years look like for you?
Anna: That’s a good question that I don’t have the answer to. I’m currently going by a five days basis and I don’t know what my future looks like.
Kelsey: I honestly don’t even know what next month looks like. Ideally in 5 years I will have a secure job as a company dancer but we just don’t know.
Learn more about Junior Company here!