Saturday 8 August 2009

Claire Calvert interviewed for Cupcakes & Conversation ...


Cupcakes & conversation with Claire Calvert, Artist, The Royal Ballet



What motivates you at 8 am on a Monday morning?
To be honest I am not really a morning person, but once I am up and have had a coffee, it doesn't take me long to get ready.

Who would you most like to dance with?
There are many dancers that I would love to dance with, however I would love to find a partnership of my own like Sir Anthony Dowell and Dame Antoinette Sibley or Tamara Rojo and Carlos Acosta because there is something really special when you watch two dancers together who have a great connection on stage.

How do you prepare your pointe shoes?
Before I joined the company I did very little to my pointe shoes, but since then I have learnt many different ways to prepare my shoes with darning, cutting, shaving and shellacing.

What is your daily routine at the moment ?
At the moment I am on holiday, so my routine isn't much of a routine. I try to get up not too late, may be around 10 and every day is a little different. I work out to stay in shape and spend time with my family as there is little time during the season to see them - and rest up for the coming season.

You can ask six famous people to dinner - who would you invite?
Alan Carr, Beyonce Knowles, Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Johnny Depp and Gordon Ramsay.

What would surprise people about you?
That I am quite stubborn.



Who inspired you to dance?
Having started JA's (Junior Associates) of the Royal Ballet in Bristol at the age of 8 Karen Paisey was a big inspiration in my decision to audition for a place at White Lodge. At White Lodge the first dancer I was introduced to was Darcey Bussell and her story of her determination to succeed became a huge inspiration to me. Whilst at White Lodge I was very fortunate to have watched many other dancers that have also inspired me in so many different ways.

How would someone else describe you?
Hard working and reliable, but always up for a good giggle.

What is your best piece of advice?
Always give the best you can give and never give up on your dream.

Which role has tested you the most & how?
Since joining the company dancing in the corps de ballet has not been a walk in the park. Learning to dance in a line with 24 girls is something that takes a lot of time and dedication, however I am really looking forward to some more challenging roles.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?
I had some of the funniest times in my life living with my three closest friends in our first flat in central London, but you had to be there to find them funny.

If you designed your own stage costume, what would you create?
I always loved tutu's and was always asking my mum to buy me one, so I would design a tutu that not only looks stunning on stage, but is comfortable to dance in too.


Photo : David Bailey

What are you most proud of?
Getting my photo taken by David Bailey.

Who would play you in the film of your life?
I really enjoy going to the cinema and I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to be in a film, so if given the chance I would probably like to play myself.

What is your favourite quote?
Everything happens for a reason.

Do you have a secret skill which no-one knows about?
I used to be quite good at long distance running before ballet become my focus.

35 comments:

  1. Nice to "meet" you, Elise, and your fascinating blog. I love dancing, so I never miss any show by a good company. The interview is very interesting, I laughed with her choices of dinner guests, what a group!

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  2. I've loved each of your interviews Elise - you are a true journalist and really know your subject. It makes such a change to read well-informed articles about the ballet - I think you are one in a million !

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  3. Very interesting young lady - I love your writing style - it can't be found anywhere else ! Please keep up the good work

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  4. Really laughed with this one - i love your interviews they are so entertaining - in a good way of course !

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  5. Thank you everyone for your lovely comments. I'm delighted you are enjoying the interviews and my website.

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  6. what a beautiful person/dancer she is !

    I'm such a sucker for anyone who dances....and was glued to my television once again for this most recent season of "so you think you can dance"

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  7. Delightful interview and lovely pictures.

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  8. Great blog. I love the interview set-up. I look forward to see what comes in the future.

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  9. Thanks Elise, for the nice comments over at my site.

    I can tell you have a wonderful and dedicated blog here too.

    Hazel

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  10. Wow! What an amazing interview! You have a fantastic blog and I'm so glad to have found it! Happy weekend to you :)

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  11. that would be one interesting dinner party!

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  12. Ballet is something I know nothing about, though I am enchanted by its beauty. You have a very interesting blog here. Thanks for visiting mine!

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  13. thanks for dropping by my blog! See you around..

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  14. thx for the insights, elise

    and for visiting... welcome back any time :)

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  15. Classic, feminine :) Very interesting. Is there age limit to start ballet? :)

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  16. I am more than honored to see you in my blog my dear :)

    I am a big fan of ballet and ballerinas! The fact that you're a journalist and a ballerina is just awesome!

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  17. Beth - thank you for your comments and welcome

    Lucy - welcome and glad you are enjoying the interviews

    Johnny fineliner - thank you - glad you like them - and welcome

    The Clever Pup - welcome & thanks

    Hey Harriet - welcome and happy weekend to you too

    julochka - the dinner guest have proved an interesting bunch througout the series of interviews - for a while Obama was in the lead but Johnny Depp is doing pretty well too...

    bindu - glad you enjoyed your visit - I hope as you learn more you will also be inspired

    Shasha - welcome and thanks for your comment

    laughingwolf - you're welcome

    BabYpose - in terms of starting ballet ? No not really - it's a natural progression when you're young - you hear the music and want to dance or you just dance ! Some schools take children from 3yrs.

    His Sweetheart - welcome and thank you for your lovely comments !

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  18. What a fascinating subject to know about and be able to write about so well.

    I've always wanted to know more about classical ballet; all types of dance, really. An artform I know little about.

    Thanks for visiting my blog. I am on my way out for vacation, but I will stop in again soon.

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  19. Hi Elise,
    So nice to meet you and thank you for stopping by and your kind comment on my blog.
    I so enjoyed your interview and past posts too. You are a wonderful writer with great pics.
    I hope to see you again soon as I have become a follower.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Blessings, Celestina Marie

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  20. Hello, Elise :) You have a lovely blog. I have always loved the ballet...alas, I am not a ballerina. So neat to visit you and learn more about such beautiful things.

    Thank you!

    Have a Happy Day!

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  21. Hi Elise

    Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog last week. I am looking forward to reading more of your interesting site!

    Carla

    xx

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  22. What a lovely blog! Really enjoyed this interview and the others I've read. I really look forward to reading and learning more!

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  23. This is a wonderful interview! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and even learned a few new things about ballet.

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  24. Thanks for commenting on my blog.

    She's quite gorgeous.

    I took ballet for seven years to supplement my figure skating :) My posture thanks ballet very much.

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  25. Wonderful blog! The world of ballet has always fascinated me. Edward Villella choreographed 5 songs I composed in odd time signatures. They were performed with a live rock band on stage.

    Your interviews are fun to read!

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  26. Thank you for this wonderful interview, and for your kind comment on my blog.
    Claire is so graceful.. I enoyed reading this interview and the others too. Am adding myself to your list of followers.

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  27. Thank you for checking out my blog; I really do appreciate it :)

    I love yours as well. Great interview!

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  28. very clever interview. soooo much better than that ghastly piece in the Observer today about the company tour to cuba. thought it was poorly written and the pictures were just dire. love your articles as they are written by a proper journalist - i hope to read much more from you

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  29. thank you for the kind comment you left on my blog!

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  30. You have a lovely blog with beautiful pictures!
    I'm glad you left a comment on my blog or I would have never found it. Keep up the good work!
    Have a great week :)

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  31. thanks for cute comment in my blog :)

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  32. Hi there Elise, nice to 'meet' you and thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. I've showed my budding ballerina some of the photos on your site here and she was awestruck! I can see we will become regular visitors.

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  33. Thank you for that compliment. I really enjoy reading your blog as well. It's very neat, easy to read, and yet you are very articulate (must be the journalist in you). I always wanted to do ballet dancing when I was a young girl, but instead my parents directed me towards playing the clarinet and joining marching band (not my idea of fun).

    Thank you for the wonderful interview!!

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  34. Hi there,
    I’m giving away capelet patterns to anybody who left a comment on the Capelets Take Flight blog post. If you'd like to receive them, can you let me know your email address. (mine is hfmedia@bigpond.net.au) Hope all is going well.
    Love Chrisy
    http://sophismpress.blogspot.com
    http://artdecadence.etsy.com

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  35. She is a beautiful girl, so full of grace. And well done to you for the interview, i enjoyed reading it.

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