Saturday 29 August 2009

Alexandra Fern interviewed for "Cupcakes & conversation ..."


Cupcakes & Conversation with Alexandra Fern, Professional dancer, who will shortly be joining the UK’s newest professional ballet company, Ballet Theatre UK.


Photo : Patrick Baldwin

What motivates you at 8am on a Monday morning ?
Getting up and doing a ballet class, a full day of rehearsals and always very loud music (that I can dance around to) and a BIG coffee!!

What are you looking forward to about joining Ballet Theatre UK ?
Touring the country and meeting new people. I am most looking forward to working in a professional company and being paid for your art!

Who would you most like to dance with ?
Good question!! I would like to dance with Steven McRae. I have seen him recently on stage and in a couple of interviews and I think he has a mentality like me (feisty) – so that would be fun and explosive. I would also love to dance with Jeremy Curnier, who is very close to me but I have never yet had the opportunity.

How do you prepare your pointe shoes ?
After the initial preparation – sewing on the ribbons elastics etc, to be honest I put them on before a class, and do constant relevés from half toe to full pointe for a good 5 minutes. I then go to the barre and practice slow rises in parallel and in first position to mould the shoes to my feet. I find this the most helpful for me but I know I will learn many new traits in the new companies I explore!


Photo : Bill Cooper

What is your daily routine at the moment ?
I took a four week apprenticeship with the Balbir Singh Dance Company where I learned Kathak, since then I have been keeping myself fit. I am currently living in my home town of Doncaster - so I use the local gym and I have been going back to my first dance school where I danced for 10 years. I’m getting a good relaxing holiday before I dive back into the dancing world, it seems once you’re in its hard to have a break!

You can ask six famous people to dinner - who would you invite ?
Eva Longoria, Cheryl Cole, former NBT dancer Jonathan Olivier, Jimmy Carr, Angelina Jolie and Steven McRae. I am sure it would be a fabulous evening – one which I am most looking forward to if it can be arranged?

What would surprise people about you ?
Just how competitive and determined I am! I have my goals and I can’t let myself not achieve them. I think it scares people sometimes – but it was the way I grew up dancing at my local dance school against others in competitions across England.

Who inspired you to dance ?
Well I got into dancing from just going with my best friend to an after school class at the age of 6. After a couple of months she quit and I loved it so I carried on. Later when I was introduced to the professional world I watched the Northern Ballet Theatre with my mum. It soon became my favorite ballet company and we went to every performance in Yorkshire. I soon developed my favorites and always looked out for them in performances; in particular they were Jonathan Olivier, Pippa Moore and Victoria Sibson.

How would someone else describe you ?
People say I’m bubbly and charming, I would say they would also call me very competitive...

What is your best piece of advice ?
Never give up – don’t listen to the people that put you down. If you want it enough and you work as hard as you can – your dream will come true.



Which role has tested you the most & how ?
I would have to say the pas de trios from ‘Le Corsaire’. This is a very classical piece which tested my strengths as a dancer in terms of stamina, performance and mostly technique. I worked so hard on this challenge whilst touring with Ballet Central and I was rewarded with a couple of performances which were well worth all the hard work I had put in. I do have a close second which would be ‘Stars and Stripes’ choreographed by George Balanchine. I performed this solo for my graduation – which was a challenge in itself. I really enjoyed performing this after working on it alone in the studios at Central for months before the event.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you ?
Well...I fell over whilst performing with Ballet Central in Grantham. I was performing a piece called 'When No One Is Looking’ (choreographed by Phillip Aiden) which was based on mannequins in a shop window. They come to life and dance the whole night through, and return to the shop window when the sun rises. The dress I was wearing was a full sequin dress with high black heels. A few struts backwards and my heel got caught in the bottom of my dress and I ended up flat on my bum on stage in front of a full audience!! By this time the other 5 girls I was dancing with were in secret fits – we laughed it up backstage and the video the next day was side splitting! What was funniest though – is that my mum in the audience didn’t even realise!

If you designed your own stage costume, what would you create ?
I’d love to create my own version of Darcey Bussell’s costume for ‘La Bayadere’ – but in deep purple. I think it is so beautifully classy and stunning. I’d love to perform in something like that! I would have lots of sequins and a gorgeous headpiece that sparkled in the theatre lights!

What are you most proud of ?
Getting into the Central School of Ballet and making it through three years – it was one of my dreams when I was younger!

Who would play you in the film of your life ?
I’d love it to be Eva Longoria. She’s beautiful, successful and she brought herself from nothing to someone I aspire to – I’d hope I could be that inspiration to someone one day.

What is your favourite quote ?
I have a few that keep me going:
‘Practice isn’t the thing that you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.’
‘If at first you don’t succeed try, try, and try again!’
‘Everything happens for a reason’
‘Reach for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars’

Do you have a "signature step" - one that you find easier than others ?
I’m a natural turner and was always told that, but I would say my ultimate signature step would be a grande jeté. I’m very lucky to have good flexibility and a high elevation so this makes this step my favorite. Everyone in class always smiled at me when we would head over to the corner and the teacher would start marking a grande allégro exercise – my face would be beaming all over, I just love it!

Do you have a secret skill which no-one knows about ?
I am very creative in arts and crafts. I make cards for only my closest of friends and I guess they are the only ones who know how much I enjoy creating things. When I was younger I designed my own label and clothes – I’d love to do it for real someday.

77 comments:

  1. What a lovely interview, I know Alexandra and I can vouch for her - she is such a hard worker - she deserves to do really well. Good Luck Alexandra for the future.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I saw alex dance with ballet central in Wakefield - she was fab

    ReplyDelete
  3. wow I learn so much about dancing from your blogs you are awesome .

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful blog-love your header image! gorgeous!

    Thanks for stopping by-
    do you mind shooting me an email
    at flipflopsandpearls@gmail.com when
    you get a free moment? tks so much
    and have a great weekend!

    Daphne

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a inspiring interview and beautiful shots of the dancer, thank-you for your hard work in bringing this to your readers! Sharon xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for giving me yet another glimpse into the world of Ballet.
    Blessings,andrea

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Elise,

    thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. My first dream was to be a ballerina, always waiting on Xmas mornings for those ballet slippers, something so magical in the idea of them.

    Have a lovely weekend,

    Sarah)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Elsie,

    Just wanted to say thanks for your lovely comment on my blog, it was so kind of you. Your blog is beautiful and very interesting. What beautiful pictures you have too.

    Lou x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for your comments on my blog, you have such a beautiful interesting blog, I am going to come back later and have a really good read!
    Tracey
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. thank you for your beautiful comment on my blog! i am so happy that you enjoy what i have to say :)

    i was a dancer all throughout highschool - i loved ballet! sometimes i wish i'd have kept up with it but it provided me with some wonderful memories and friends growing up.

    ill be following :)
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you so much for your nice comment at my blog. It really made my day. It meant a lot to me. Thank you again. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello Elise!

    Thank you for the nice comment on my blog! What a wonderful place you have here. I enjoyed reading your interview.

    XOXO
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great interview, Elise. Thank you for your kind comment on my blog. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thankyou Elise for leaving such a beautiful comment on my blog. It does mean a lot to know someone likes to read what you have to say. Your blog is so interesting and next time my God daughters come up I will show it to them-They are both Dance Mad!
    Love
    Lyn
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you so much for your kind comments about my blog. How in the world did you find me?

    ReplyDelete
  16. what a fab interview with this lovely girl

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Ellise!
    I just wanted to come by and thank you for your sweet words on my blog. They brought a smile to me face! Have a lovely weekend.

    Karen
    My Desert Cottage

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for your sweet comments on my rooster party!

    What a nice blog you have about ballet and ballerinas! My daughter took ballet for years!

    Katherine

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hello Elise, I want to thank you for visiting my blog and being so complimentary! I really appreciate it! I hope you have a wonderful day!
    ~Patti

    ReplyDelete
  20. Elsie, thank you so stopping by my little neck of the woods. I took ballet when I was in elementary school for just a short time. All of my 4 daughters have taken dance classes. None of them pursued the lessons past elem. school. One of my daughters won queen of the county fair with dance as her talent and a few awards in middle school. I used to take my youngest daughter to the ballet in Louisville Ky. when she was young. We got to meet Mikhail B., I cannot spell his name right. I took her to see him perform for her graduation from H.S. We have probably watched The Nutcracker every Christmas for 40 years. Come again
    QMM

    ReplyDelete
  21. thank you for a lovely cmment on my blog. Yours is stunning too, I have never known much about ballet, your blog is superb.

    caro
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  22. thanks for the lovely comment you left on my blog sweetie :) so sweet! you've got a nice looking blog yourself, hope everything is alright :) take care xxx

    ReplyDelete
  23. i just want to say a massive thank you for the comment you left on my blog
    it was soo nice of you!
    and has really made my night!
    if you have Twitter add me
    AbbieandBrian
    you seem like such a lovely person
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'd also like to pass on the awards on my blog page, hope you'd like to accept them.

    caro
    xx
    http://caroscreation.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for your sweet comment. You have a lovely blog as well!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment. I wish I knew more about ballet (I'm a graceful as a bull in a china shop), but I will certainly enjoy reading your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Elise,
    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such lovely comments. I really enjoyed having you visit. Please do come back sometime; would love to hear from you. Your blog is very interesting and I appreciate your wonderful photos! I have always loved the magic and grace of ballet!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you for the sweet comments on my blog!

    I look forward to reading more. Beautiful pictures! :)

    Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you for visiting my blog at Love Your Place! Your wonderful comments made my day so much brighter and made me smile!

    Thank you for enlightening me about the enchanting world of ballet too! Your blog is so beautiful! The interviews with the ballerinas are fascinating to read and your photos are amazing! The ballerina's are so elegant and I love the costumes and set designs too!

    I read through several posts, and watched some videos about the London Ballet and other ballets too. I even found a pic or two from the Silent Film Era and Golden Age of Hollywood!

    A ballerina's life is truly lovely! Thanks again Elise!
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Elise,
    How wonderful that you would stop by my place and leave such lovely words. Such a compliment coming from such a talented writer. Your blog is just beautiful and inspiring.
    Smiles,
    June

    ReplyDelete
  31. Elise, Thank you so much for stopping by. You have such an lovely blog and such captivating subject matter that I have spent the better part of the afternoon reading it! I've become a follower and will be back to visit soon.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Elise, thank you so much for stopping by. You have such an enchanting blog that I have spent the better part of the afternoon reading it.:0)I'll be back to visit soon.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hello Elise! I want to start by saying I love your blog! I adore ballet :).
    thank you sooo much for stopping by my blog and posting that lovely comment! It meant alot to me!
    u are very very nice! thank you!
    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  34. hey Elise,
    Thank you for your sweet comment!Especially since your a journalist.
    Since I am coming closer to leaving school, I was thinking about if I would enjoy a career in print journalism, since I enjoy languages and writing...If you have a minute, I would be super interested to hear more about your job!
    I don't know much about ballet, but love learning new things so I'll be checking in here every now and again.
    xoxo
    Nina(thelatestgloss.blogspot.com)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Elise, thanks for visiting me:) what a wonderful interview and beautiful pictures...i love ballerinas...they are the epitome of grace and beauty to me!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi Elise - I just thought that I'd pop by to return the compliment. I've always envied ballet dancer being so supple,with their lovely slim legs(I inherited my dads legs - short and chunky). There are so many card and crafting blogs out there and I'm chuffed to bits that you visited mine.
    Take care
    Sam x

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Elise,

    I happen to love ballet too. I used to dance when I was a little girl and now my daughter is beginning dance and is excited about ballet. I loved reading the interview and the photos are beautiful. It was so sweet of you to stop by and visit my blog. And thank you so much for the kind words you left as well. I appreciate it immensely. I will be sure to put you in my favorites and visit you again.

    Have a wonderful day!
    Hugs,

    Janet Bernasconi
    Janet's Creative Pillow

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi Elise,

    Thank you so much for the warm and wonderful comment on Hip Mama Blog. :)

    I love watching ballet performances even when I was a child and actually dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer when I was little. Oh well, it didn't happen. I admire women who dance- especially ballet. It's just an amazing talent to have! :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Good morning Elise~ Thank you for taking the time to leave such a kind comment for me. It really touched my heart. I am going to start putting comments left on my sidebar and am wondering if you wouldn't mind if I include yours.

    Your blog is gorgeous! LOVE your banner. Our good friends have 4 daughters in ballet here in our town - one is a Principal dancer and has been the Sugar Plum Fairy the past two years in The Nutcracker. Her younger sisters are all on pointe and dance beautifully. Their dancing always brings tears to my eyes.

    Have a sweet day,
    becky

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for your kindness--I am very honored. Your blog and its subject matter is lovely in every way. Blessings to you! ; )
    ~Michele

    ReplyDelete
  41. TOTALLY AMAZING... LOVE IT






    XX
    CHICMUSE

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi Thank you for leaving such a beautiful comment on my blog it was uber sweet of you xxx

    I've had a fab time reading yours!!! I love ballet and your blog is sooo interesting with such beautiful picture's, I'm sure i'll be stopping by often,

    have a great week Ger x

    ReplyDelete
  43. Just wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog & visiting me. I enjoyed reading the world of ballet, getting out of my prim world for a moment.
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  44. Thank you for stopping by to view my blog and for the lovely comments.

    It is so nice to meet new people and share different interests.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thanks for stopping by my blog.. I always wanted to be a ballerina when I was small. After high school I signed myself up for a class or two -- I learned real quickly -I realized very quicky - grace was something I did not have.. Stop by anytime!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hiya Elise,Thankyou for the lovely comment you posted on my blog.What a fab job you have and your blog is so interesting,love all the ballet pics.
    Trish (-:

    ReplyDelete
  47. Thanks for visiting my blog and your beautiful comments- you made my day!!! Your blog is lovely.I think its so clever that you show the ballerinas signatures at the end of the posts! Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi Elise,
    Thanks ever so much for stopping by cupcake studio! Your kind words really mean the world! Wow, your blog is just lovely, especially the gorgeous photos of the dancers! Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Such a great interview! I'm so glad I found your blog. Thanks for the super sweet comment you left on mine!!! It totally made my day!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Elise, thank you for leaving such a sweet comment on my bloggie. I think your bloggie is very lovely and the photos look so professional. I am intrigued by the pink slippery shoey thingys, are the good to chew?
    woofie kisses and sniffies,
    Bonnie - the wee Scottie

    ReplyDelete
  51. Wow you have an amazing blog, everything is just sooo elegant I like it. Tnx for droppin' by my blog and commenting, appreciate it a lot. I followed you ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  52. You have some great interviews here. The pictures are wonderful! The flexibility and grace of these dancers is surreal.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your kind words:) I enjoyed reading through your posts and looking at your beautiful photography...very lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Elise,

    I just wanted to stop by and thank you for the kind comments you left on my blog. I appreciate knowing someone is reading.

    The photos on your blog are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hello Elise,
    Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for your lovely comment. You have a very interesting and beautiful blog.
    That's a very inspiring interview for any would be ballet dancer and beautiful photos of Alexandra.
    Susie X

    ReplyDelete
  56. Hi Elise, thanks for stopping by Paused in Peru, I have left a comment there for you. Also I have added your blog to my Blogger's Cafe:
    http://avarchives.blogspot.com/
    under Library 2 - Special Interest Blogs. Check it out.

    AV

    ReplyDelete
  57. What a gorgeous blog Elise! I'd love to dance more with the Man-of-the-House, but he's 14 inches taller than me, so we are a couple of totally mis-matched klutzes on the dance floor. I sort of rest somewhere under his left armpit! Are there any principal pairs with such a height disparity anywhere in the ballet world? If so, please let me know how they cope.
    Millie ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  58. Hi there Elsie,
    Many thanks for dropping by to see me and leaving such a lovely comment. It's funny beacause I used to be a Dental Hygenist in Mayfair and many of our patients were from The Royal Ballet so you have brought back many memories. Have been many times and enjoy it so much. XXXX

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hello Elise, I can not tell you how pleased I was that you found my blog and left a comment to let me know that you had been by for a visit. I am always delighted to "meet" new people through blogger! When I clicked into your blog my mouth just fell open. I LOVE love love ballet!! It does not happen too often, but once in a while I can convince my husband to take me to a performance, and sweetie that he is he'll go along even though he is not such a fan. My girl took ballet lessons for many years, but their interests took them in other directions like horse back riding and art, so my dream of having a little ballerina in the family went up in dust. I will definitely be back to read more and get caught up on many of your recent posts. What a fantastic blog!! I am thrilled. wishing you a lovely Monday, Debby

    ReplyDelete
  60. So interesting - I'm adding you to my blog roll! I'm a huge fan of ballet, and you have so much wonderful information.

    ReplyDelete
  61. That's cute!! Pictures are great!!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hi Elise,
    So nice to "meet" you. Thank you for posting such a nice comment on my blog. I appreciate it so much. You have a lovely blog as well and I love the photos.
    Blessings~

    ReplyDelete
  63. Elise,
    Thank-you for your kind comment via Sande's blog, and yes I can draw dancers. I was a ballet dancer for 13 years and dance lives on in my heart, my art and my youngest daughter!
    pve
    pve design

    ReplyDelete
  64. Thankd for stopping by my blog, you are too sweet! I love this post, what a pretty ballerina!!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Hi Elise!
    Thanks for popping in on my blog!! I love your blog as well! So beautiful!! Have a great day!:o)

    ReplyDelete
  66. Hi Elise, thanks for stopping by my blog! I am clumsy and can't dance, etc. etc. but I love visiting your blog too!

    Sheila

    ReplyDelete
  67. Hi Elise, you seem to be a very talented lady. I love your ambition! Your life seems so exciting to me, just the fancy junk dealer that I am! It's such an amazing world being able to have a peek into how others live through this powerful land of blogging. Thanks for visiting my little part of the world.Look forward to coming by again.
    Happiness and success
    XOXO
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  68. I'm so inspired by the photos- I love ballet

    dallas
    http://dillydallas.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. Thanks for stopping by, your comment really brightened my day. What an inspiring interview and pictures! I think every girl has wanted to be a ballerina at some point in her life, so this is very relatable.

    LuckyUmbrella.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. What a complete delight. I just spent a wonderful time reading your interviews and wishing I was in the audience right now watching all these amazing ballerinas perform. I am utterly amazed by the grace and talent they have. Wonderful blessing and gift they share with the world and how more incredible that you feature them so lovely on your blog,
    LuLu

    ReplyDelete
  71. Thank you for coming to visit my blog Elise, I am so honored!
    Although I know nothing about the ballet, I am always impressed with the art of it. How fun it is of you to be able to journal about it!!!
    Hope you have a wonderful week~
    everything vintage

    ReplyDelete
  72. Dear Ellise:
    Thank you for your sweet words on my blog! It is a pleasure to meet you, and I so enjoyed your interview with Alexandra Fern!

    La Donna

    ReplyDelete
  73. Great interview! I loved her "best piece of advice".

    ReplyDelete
  74. Wow!! I think you just gave me the kindest compliment I've received in a while. It made my day, it honestly did!

    Your blog is lovely, too, by the way...
    Cheers,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  75. Your blog is lovely. I especially enjoy the header. There is something so poetically wistful about ballet shoes. I often want to paint them. Thank you for the kind comment you left on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  76. I just found your blog, and it is delightful!

    ReplyDelete
  77. Tnx a lot for ur encouraging words in my blog.I appriciate it a lot.
    Wat a wonderful space u have!!!Luv this amazing post!

    ReplyDelete

If you've got this far and would like to leave a comment, well, YES YOU CAN.

I'd be delighted to hear from you & will respond when I can (I'm not glued to my computer so please be patient).

Please don't post spam, and constructive critique is the way to go if you want to post a comment which is anything less than nice ! Thanks.