Ellie Swiatkiwsky interviewed for 'Cupcakes & Conversation'

Cupcakes & Conversation with Ellie Swiatkiwsky, Melbourne Ballet Company

What motivates you at 8am on a Monday morning ?
The thought of a wonderful week, doing exactly what I love to do... how fortunate!

What are you looking forward to dancing this year ?
This year I'm looking forward to dancing at The Juilliard School* in New York. I'm not sure what pieces in particular I will be working on... but whatever they are I'm looking forward to it!

Who would you most like to dance with & what would you dance ?
I want to dance with my Dad on my wedding day... in the future :)

If you could dance anywhere in the world (not only in a theatre), where would you dance ?
I would choose somewhere outside in an exotic country with a big, spacious view. And I would dance with a partner so I had someone to enjoy and remember it with.

How do you prepare your pointe shoes ?
I wear Grishko pointe shoes. I sew the ribbons and elastics, glue a toe pad on the pointe (to prevent slipping) cut the upper arch and massage them.

What is your daily routine at the moment ?
I'm currently doing the full-time course at Brent Street Studios in Sydney, Australia. I'm really enjoying it because I get to do a range of styles including ballet, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, tap, acrobatics, acting and singing which is great because I love it all! I'm in the studio from at least 9-4 but I usually chose to do extra classes out of those hours.

You can ask six famous people to dinner - who would you invite ?
Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Anna Pavlova, Johnny Depp, Cameron Diaz and Beyonce.

What would surprise people about you ?
I have a very large appetite :)

Who inspired you to dance ?
When I was little it was more something that I loved doing so I didn't need inspiration to go. Now that I'm older my love for it has only intensified, although now I draw inspiration from people directly around me; my teachers, family and friends.

What is your best piece of advice ?
To just go for it, go for everything! And see how it all unfolds.

How do you prepare in the hours before a show ?
Make-up, hair, warm-up and a short ballet barre.

Which role has tested you the most & how ?
My most challenging role was when I became the assistant of a choreographer. It wasn't the actual job that was the major challenge, it was trying to balance everything else out, such as completing my Higher School Certificate and full time training, so I could excel at what I was required to do as assistant and more.

If you were asked to design your own ballet costume, what would you create ?
My own ballet costume would be a soft 'Juliet' inspired dress. Something that made me feel gorgeous and beautiful while dancing!

What do you look for in a dance partner ?
In a dance partner I want someone who loves dancing with me too. Someone who is willing to spend the time perfecting any creases in the movement. Communication between the two is very important.

What is your favourite quote ?
"The harder you work the luckier you become".

Do you have a ‘signature step’ – one that comes naturally to you ?
Probably very physical contemporary work, jumping, rolling and flinging myself around the studio or stage!

A phrase I use far too often is ... ?
"Are you serious?!"

What’s been your best on-stage moment so far ?
Performing a duet in the Botanic Gardens in Coffs Harbour, Australia, during the Utopian Dream Dance Festival. The stage was in this beautiful wooden gazebo and the audience were sitting in front of us on picnic rugs. It was natural and not too staged. I remember feeling that it was the best I had ever danced and I was so elated afterwards!

Do you have a secret skill which no-one knows about ?
My special skill is that I have supreme memory :)

In terms of your ballet career, where would you like to be in a year from now ?
In a year from now I hope to be pursuing my training at The Juilliard School.

Editor's note :

* Located at Lincoln Center in New York City, The Juilliard School is one of the world's most prestigious performing arts conservatories. 
The mission of The Juilliard School is to provide the highest caliber of artistic education for gifted musicians, dancers, and actors from around the world, so that they may achieve their fullest potential as artists, leaders, and global citizens.