Nice to meet you!
I began ballet classes at age 2 because I wouldn’t stop performing! Already a keen little actress and after a brief moment as a baby model, I seemed very comfortable in the ‘spotlight’ and was quickly taking classes several times a week. I was spotted by teachers of The Royal Ballet at age 6 after they held a workshop at my primary school in Hammersmith, scouting for talented children who’d benefit from specialist training at the Royal Opera House.
So I began my training under the eyes of Royal Ballet heavyweights such as Sir Anthony Dowell and soon progressed into the Royal Ballet School Junior Associates program. During this time I was also an avid short distance sprinter and often competed at Linford Christie Stadium. Both physical activities supported my athletic development and trained my mindset to manage challenge and performance. At age 12 I entered White Lodge, the Royal Ballet Lower School in Richmond Park and I moved away from home to train vocationally to become a ballet dancer.
At 16 I was accepted into the Royal Ballet Upper School just across the road from the Royal Opera House and closer than ever to my dream. As a student I was blessed with many opportunities to guest with The Royal Ballet, dancing in productions such as of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty. All of that changed however when I suffered a devastating injury to my spine which left me immobile and chair-bound for a year. A year later I discovered the injury to my spine had caused complicated neurological issues in my legs which lead to me being once again signed off in an attempt to recover. At this point 2 incredibly profound things happened - I developed an eating disorder and was severely depressed, and in complete contrast also discovered buddhist meditation.
At 19 I graduated the Royal Ballet School still injured and sick but continued to dance. Until one day, I simply couldn’t anymore.I took a few years away to work extensively on my wellbeing and physical strength, immersing myself into meditation, sport psychology, weight lifting and martial arts.
I graduated the Royal Ballet School once again at age 22 as a qualified teacher and coach, having discovered an important purpose through teaching myself how to dance, and live again. 10 years later, I am a ballet teacher and life coach to hundreds of people and although I am based in London, UK I have been invited to share my journey in over 15 countries. Most of the clients I work with have experienced some kind of physical or emotional trauma similar to and often much worse than mine. Together we lay the foundations and develop the tools for a more joyful, grateful and fulfilled life through the mediating moves of classical ballet and an understanding of the mind. My mission through group and 1:1 classes, retreats and artistic residencies is to connect with as many like-minded souls as possible, from all walks of life and to assist them in becoming the best version of themselves using the discipline of the ballet technique and the transformative benefits of being mindful, positive and grateful.
In addition to classical ballet I have trained in Contemporary dance, spent some time in Buenos Aires training in Argentine Tango and studied Capoeira while teaching ballet in Brazil, all of which I continue to practice. I also have experience singing opera and play the drums, guitar, piano and berimbau!