Ballet Addict

Why did you start doing ballet here, for exercise or just for fun? Ballet is something that I just need to do, wherever I am–in Shanghai or not. It just makes me happy, and it challenges me. It also happens to be good exercise, but that was never the reason for me to dance. So it was on your "to do" list as soon as you got off the plane? Yes! I started dancing one week after I arrived four years ago. I looked for a local school close to my place. It's quite funny to see and take part in a ballet class taught all in Chinese without speaking a word of it. Since you've been a dancer for quite a while, we have to ask, have you ever worn a tutu? I've worn one several times actually, but I wouldn't like to see me in one of those now. Okay, just checking. How did you decide on DanceRepublic? I found their website and decided to give it a try. It's difficult to find adult classes for all levels in China, but DanceRepublic's classes are very friendly and relaxed. Classes are challenging and professional, some of the teachers are former Shanghai Ballet dancers. So are you a fan of ballet in general? I'm a big fan of any kind of dance, but ballet and flamenco are without a doubt my favorite styles. Who are your favorite dancers? Tamara Rojo from the Royal Ballet and Sara Baras who's a flamenco dancer. What's the hardest part of a lesson when you dance? I guess giving 100 percent until the end of the class. When you don't practice often enough, your legs just don't go up and gravity does all the rest ... Eek, well what do you hope to get out of pushing yourself so hard during these classes? I don't expect to get anything out of it, but I get to enjoy every single minute. It's so rewarding to find yourself a bit better every time even if some days your body wishes it was laying on the sofa just watching TV. Have you ever whipped out any dance moves outside of class? Of course! Ballet is the basis for almost any sort of dance movement. With flamenco and ballet, my friends and I pull out our moves all the time even to techno music if need be, it's hilarious!