Dare to Dance

Enjoying my first Sunday off in 7 weeks today 😌 it’s stormy in London so I’ve been having a cozy day wrapped up on the sofa re-watching Game of Thrones! (Anyone else super excited for the new series? 🙋🏼‍♀️) This pic by @jakeowensphoto was taken a week ago today at @sadlers_wells after our last performance of Cipollino. 🌹Performing on the stage was such a magical experience, I’m determined to find a way to do it more in my daily life. The whole process of rehearsing and bringing the ballet to life gave me such a sense of purpose that kept me going during all those long weeks where I was dancing every single day, and I got more out of my training than ever & improved faster during that time. I’m going to write a blog post all about the experience, but this is just a reminder to treasure those moments of doing what you love, and remembering that’s what you’re working for when things seem tough and everything hurts! (at Sadler's Wells Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/BujleghA8JJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ds1vkl891yb8

Transforming into the flower for our performance of Cipollino last weekend! 🌹swipe for more! ➡️ I did post this as one video to IGTV but I deleted it because it zoomed in weirdly on my head so you couldn’t see much 😂 I would usually do all my make up, then hair & head piece, but instead I ended up doing hair, half my make up, head piece, then the rest of my make up, because we had to get ready in bits whenever there was time! . I used: Primer & foundation from The Ordinary by @deciem Concealer from @collectionnz @lorealmakeup true match powder @urbandecaycosmetics contour & highlight palettes A bright blush I’m not sure where from! Brow whiz from @anastasiabeverlyhills @toofaced Life’s a Festival palette on the eyes @nyxcosmetics lipstick (although for the following performances I wore a gentler colour by @ctilburymakeup) All my brushes are @spectrumcollections (at Sadler's Wells Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuegrR0gncu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1a9hvrzny76vv

Can’t wait to get back into class 💗 I had to take a few days off to rest after such an intensive workload leading up to the performance, and because I tweaked my ankle tripping during the performance 🤦🏼‍♀️ but it’s okay! I’m just playing it safe. There are times as a dancer when you need to work with and through injuries, you need to keep going when you’re tired, and you need to push yourself. However too many of us think that things need to be that way ALL the time- I just did 6 weeks of very intensive work without rest days, working with some minor injuries and illnesses, fatigue and sore muscles, because we had a performance to prepare for. However now the performance is over and the next one isn’t for a while, and my dance assessments are a few weeks away yet. It wouldn’t be beneficial for me to keep tiring myself out and ignoring my body, trying to dance as much as possible every day. That only leads to significant injuries or illness that could keep you away from doing what you love for weeks or even longer! Basically what I’m saying is- know when to push yourself, and know when to rest. You need the ability to do both. More isn’t always better. 💕 #thursdaythoughts 📷 by @jakeowensphoto (at Ноттинг-Хилл) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuawjeaAmB6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=c4ndpko9y51i

A couple more pictures from the performance of Cipollino at the weekend! 🌹 It was really wonderful to dance on stage and I’m looking forward to when I will be able to do it again. After all, this is what we work for in all of those hours in the studio. This experience taught me a lot about other aspects of performing besides the dancing, like acting on the stage, and even managing your energy throughout multiple rehearsals & performances. Maybe I will make a blog post about the ballet and about the process- comment if you think that would be a good idea! (at Sadler's Wells Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuYRBXHgwpb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7foojimknbp8

Ready to get on that dance science vibe with birthday girl @bethanyayling and @caitlin_reid_allen today 🤓 Wishing you all a happy & productive Monday! (at University of Roehampton) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuTbz-TgMnN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1u70q9uj4g5kq

Our 3 performances of Cipollino are finished! 🌹 It’s been the most wonderful experience & it was great to share the stage with a group of amazing people! Huge well done to everyone! 🎉 (at Sadler's Wells) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuR1xg-ApZ5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1elcidx5f03ub

Really looking forward to being on the stage tomorrow! 🎭 Spacing in the theatre today has made me excited to perform. So much time & work has gone into this production, it’s really satisfying seeing it all come together! We’re performing Cipollino in the Lilian Baylis studio theatre at @sadlers_wells 🍋🍅🥬🍐🍇🍒🐭🐶🌹 Photo by the wonderful @jakeowensphoto (at Holland Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuMxmCnArK-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ievyzixecebx

Our week of rehearsal is almost done, only 2 more days until we’re on the stage! 🌹 It was lovely seeing everyone in costume yesterday- looking forward to another dress run today 🌺🌷 (at Masters Of Ballet Academy) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuI2PJjAKzc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=121uswexdxhxf

Week 6 & performance week has arrived! 🎟 This week is filled with rehearsals ahead of the opening night of Chippolino at Sadler’s Wells on Saturday 🍋🍅🍒🍓🍇🐶🌹 I’ve had my hair re-coloured ahead of the show (which was long overdue because I haven’t been able to squeeze it in!) by the incomparable @evieskaros_enasalon at @enasalon & I’m so happy with it! 🦁🔥 I think it will go well with my red & green costume! Thanks to @jakeowensphoto for this snap 📸 (at Covent Garden London) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuB0yxjAdKz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15eurl3dlbyo4

New blog post is up! You can now see all of the snaps from mine and @jakeowensphoto photo shoot adventure in Notting Hill 🍬🍬🍬 link in bio or go to www.daretodance.co 🎀 (at Notting Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt-pvuhgvY9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kjtw08d48ki5

Ready for Saturday morning class & a week of rehearsals starting tomorrow! ☕️💪🏻 I can’t believe that our first performance of Chippolino will be taking place at Sadler’s Wells a week from today! We have a lot to do between now & then but I’m so looking forward to performing. How much are you dancing this weekend?? (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt8ESu4g5RZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=141e1vnpuv40v

Sissonne-ing my @cloudandvictory Sissonne the Day tee in Notting Hill by @jakeowensphoto 🌸 . I had a really good class day yesterday... I wish every day could be like that! Isn’t it strange how some days your body does everything you want it to and others it refuses to cooperate? 😂 however my teacher gave me one small correction for pirouettes and I feel like it’s made my turns completely different and so much easier! (My opposite arm was late to close, if you want to try it out) . I hope I can recreate that strong feeling in class and rehearsals today- hope you all have a good-class-day too! 💕 (at Notting Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt2qsR3Aec4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lzqwbhuk2y6

I was saving this pic for a #tututuesday post but I forgot to post it 🤦🏼‍♀️ so let’s pretend it’s still Tuesday! How gorgeous are these tutus stacked up in the costume department at @royaloperahouse ?😍 . It really was a tutu Tuesday yesterday because some of us had first costume fittings for our upcoming performance of Chippolino & the studio was full of costumes! I got a first look at mine & I love it! (at Royal Opera House) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt1AaUPgTzg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jkym80byeknn

Everyone has their own journey. Don’t concern yourself with what other people are doing... it’s not up to you to pass judgements on their progress. The only people you need to answer to are your pedagogues and yourself. I know I have a way to go yet but it’s a process and I’m moving forwards a tiny bit each day. 🌸 Long rehearsal day over with today & we’ve finished the ballet. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of performing! Snap by the ever talented @jakeowensphoto 📸 (at Holland Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BttUnD_gQ0g/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=e6gribcu1hkg