FROM STUDENT TO STAR IS AN EXCLUSIVE BALLET NEWS INTERVIEW SERIES FEATURING GRADUATES FROM VOCATIONAL BALLET SCHOOLS AS THEY BEGIN THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS.
Katie Robertson graduated from The Royal Ballet School and joins The Royal Ballet.
You’ve been studying at The Royal Ballet School (RBS). When did you join the School and what made you decide to train there ?
I joined The Royal Ballet School in 2016 when I was 11 years old. At first I didn’t know much about the school and it was my JA teacher who advised me to audition [Ed note : JA = Junior Associate Programme]. Me and my parents thought I should try, and luckily I was offered a place and that is where it all began.
Prior to joining RBS, where did you train, and how early did you start ballet ?
Before joining RBS I was a Royal Ballet Junior Associate for three years, from the age of 8-11 years. Before that I trained at my local dance school in Bristol (344 Dance School) where I did ballet, tap and modern from the age of 5.
What do you think are the important things to focus on during training if you want to become a professional ballet dancer ?
Not only do I think you have to focus on technique, but also creating a strong and independent mindset. I have found having a certain mindset when training can really improve the way you apply yourself and carry on when things aren’t going as well. Being determined, observant, yet also calm, and not taking yourself too seriously is a balance which you have to find when tackling your busy training years. As well as this I think remembering why you are dancing and the joy it brings you is something to remind yourself of and tap into every so often, since I think sometimes you can get lost when you are trying to perfect your technique every day. The sense of dancing and enjoyment should be kept throughout the training years.
TALK US THROUGH GOING ON POINTE FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND HOW HAS YOUR TECHNIQUE STRENGTHENED SINCE THEN ?
I first went on pointe when I was 11. I remember when first beginning I was very tentative and nervous when moving on pointe. As my training progressed at the school, I learnt how to strengthen my ankles and fix my alignment when dancing in pointe shoes through Pilates work and strength and conditioning exercises. As well as this I learnt that having a certain mindset when dancing on pointe helped my dancing. Just going for every movement and pretending it was easy even if it wasn’t helped my confidence with pointe work, and as I developed this mindset, after time it started to become a habit.
You’ve accepted a contract with The Royal Ballet under the Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme. Congratulations ! Take us through the process of getting the contract and when do you start work?
I received my incredible news during our school Christmas break. Since I was performing in The Nutcracker with the Company, I was taking company class one morning and I saw one of my friends being taken out of class. When she came back she had the biggest smile on her face, and explained she had just received a contract. From that moment on others were getting pulled out of the class to go to Mr O’Hare’s office [Ed note : Kevin O’Hare is the Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet]. When I was asked to go and see him, it almost felt like I was dreaming and I couldn’t believe it was really happening. When he offered me the contract I was teary and full of emotions, since my dream really came true. I will be starting with the Company in August 2024.
What do you know about the Company & have you spent much time with them during school ?
Due to growing up as a Royal Ballet JA and then a student of the School, I have always looked up to The Royal Ballet Company. I’ve been fortunate enough to watch many company productions and have been even luckier to be in some. At White Lodge [Ed note : the Junior School in Richmond Park] I performed in The Nutcracker with the company and as a pre professional student I have performed in Don Quitoxe, The Nutcracker, Manon and Swan Lake. Whilst rehearsing these productions I have been able to meet all the dancers who were so welcoming, and I’m really looking forward to getting to know them all soon.
What are you looking forward to about joining the Company ?
A main factor I am looking forward to when joining the Company is the constant performing. Although at school we did have performances, these were spread out across the year, and I am really looking forward to be able perform more often.
How do you think company life will differ from your student days & what do you hope to bring to the company ?
I think the biggest difference from being a student to a company member is going to be the load shift of being less physically tired to possibly being more mentally tired. There will be more learning and covering different roles in each production, always being ready for any situation. I think this will be a good change to adjust to and learn from, making me gain new skills to set me up for the future.
How are you preparing yourself for your first professional contract?
This summer break it has been just as important for me to rest and recover as it is to stay fit and active. Since finishing the busy graduate year I allowed myself time to rest and let my body recover from the intense end of year rehearsing and performing. Although I have taken time to rest, I have also stayed active by taking ballet classes, doing Pilates and swimming, to help get the right balance of rest and being fitness ready to start in the Company.
What are you your best achievements as a student?
As a student I was very fortunate to have danced the roles of Cupid from Don Quixote, Little Red Riding Hood from Sleeping Beauty and featured roles in Paquita and La Valse in the end of year summer performances. I loved performing all of these roles and I am very grateful to have been able to experience them all on the Royal Opera House stage.
During my time as a student, I was awarded the April Olrich award for dynamic performance, the Ashton award for ‘style,personality and technique in Ashton ballets’, and joint first place for the Lynn Seymour awards in expressive dance.
WHY BALLET?
At first I was never set on ballet. All I wanted to do was dance, it didn’t really matter what or how; I just needed to dance. It wasn’t until I went to watch my first ballet at the Royal Opera House (The Nutcracker) that I completely fell in love and decided that that would be the path for me.
Since then I have trained in ballet, and have seen many more productions, each inspiring me and leaving me wanting to be up on that stage too. One main factor that drew me to ballet was the music, which I find brings emotions out of me and makes me want to express them.
How do you pick yourself up on the days when things aren’t going so well?
When things aren’t going so well, the best thing I find is to stop and think about the situation, then look at the bigger picture and all the positive things that are happening around me instead. This mindest helps me to focus on the good and to see things from a broader perspective. I also find listening to music really helps calm me, as well as going to get a sweet treat!
Do you have a dream role and/or dance partner and if so what/who are they?
My dream role is the role of Juliet from Romeo and Juliet. I love MacMillan [Ed note : Kenneth MacMillan choreographed this and many other ballets for the Company], and this ballet really draws me in with the gorgeous music. Romeo and Juliet also has my favourite pas de deux (the balcony scene) which would be a dream to perform. I would love the opportunity to one day dance this role to try and interpret and express Juliet’s emotions.
What would you say to students entering their graduate year ?
I would say keep positive and determined, and remember everything happens for a reason. Try your best and that’s all you can do. Don’t worry about the things you can’t control. Most importantly I found my graduate year flew by so quickly, so just enjoy every second and appreciate the people around you while you can.
Where would you like to be this time next year and how will you measure your progress over the year?
This time next year I hope to have settled into the Company, having enjoyed every moment on stage and having embraced and learnt lessons from my journey. I’m very excited to begin this new chapter and will keep working hard every day to progress and develop my technique and artistic qualities, and most importantly I aim to transfer everything I have/will learn onto the stage.
