Where do you live in west London and why?
Queens Club Gardens, Barons Court. I chose this area because of the huge and gorgeous communal garden and tennis court (I don’t have a clue how to play tennis but I enjoy watching other people while I sunbathe during London’s heat waves!)
Your own green space is rare in London. I grew up in Notting Hill with no garden although I was often to be found in Holland Park, one of my favourite places.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Wijaya Beach in Galle, Sri Lanka. Galle holds many special memories for me and this beach is famous for its perfect sunset; to swim there at sunset is mindblowing!
How would you spend a perfect weekend?
That’s a tough one as I’m sure my idea of the perfect weekend changes depending on my mood… But it would include all the people I love, my three hilarious dogs, good food, very good wine, a bit of dancing and lots of laughter, preferably in the sunshine!
You teach ballet at your classical ballet class, En Avant Ballet—who is this for and what could they expect?
En Avant Ballet was created for men and women from all walks of life to discover and enjoy the fitness and health benefits of classical ballet. Most of my group classes are beginner level, so no matter your age or physical ability, you’ll find my classes to be an accessible, fun and unique experience! I focus on helping my clients improve their posture, core and body strength, flexibility and confidence.
I also teach bespoke private lessons for those with more specific requirements and enjoy meeting and working with many different types of people; I’m lucky my job allows me to learn and grow from these people who I perhaps wouldn’t normally meet.
Do you ever struggle with the discipline and focus needed as a dancer? How do you handle this?
I used to find the pressure and competitiveness really challenging. I had this bad little habit of comparing myself to others continuously and this is very self-destructive. Now I am older and have a more life experience behind me, I realise that it’s much more worth my energy to find happiness and contentment in everything I have and all that’s around me.
I took up meditation after a serious injury and this really helps me to see things clearly. It’s the only thing that really calms me down; for those who know me, they’ll tell you that I have seemingly endless energy and the potential to overthink things! Whenever I have bouts of anxiety or nerves, I visit my acupuncturist Ross Barr at his west London clinic and he instantly chills me out.
Describe a typical day…
Wake up at 8am and make a really good cup of coffee, an eggy breakfast and a green juice. Depending on the day, I’ll either go straight to my desk to work behind the scenes of my two businesses or I’ll head to training. Since my injury, I find that cross training is an excellent way to keep my body looking and feeling good. I swim, do regular yoga and Pilates classes, strength training and weight lifting. My weekends are dedicated to ballet training and rehearsals.
In the afternoon, I tend to have a meeting with someone, somewhere, at some point! I then go on to teach my En Avant ballet classes. Generally it’s a mixture of private and group classes and usually I finish at 8pm.
Then it’s straight home, a light dinner and valerian tea to relax me… This is when I usually meditate or practice a (quiet) Buddhist chant to stop my mind from continuing to work into the night!
Where is your favourite place to eat in west London?
The Big Easy on the Kings Road is a steadfast favourite. I’ve been eating here regularly since my dad first took me when I was 6 years old! I even have a ‘points’ card! I love the Steak and Lobster with their signature Voodoo sauce. I can handle hot sauce well so they always bring extra to the table for me, as well as a bib!
For my sushi needs, I visit Ukai Sushi in Notting Hill. I love the Golborne Deli for brunch, The Beaumont Hotel for a decent salad and Providores on Marylebone High Street for tapas with a twist.
Do you have a favourite watering hole?
Azteca on the Kings Road. Small, quirky and pirate themed! What’s not to love?! I also enjoy my local in Barons Court, The Curtains Up.
What is the most trouble you’ve got yourself into and how did this come about?
I’ve had to talk my way out of a few parking tickets in my time… I do try to be good girl though!
Do you have a secret hang out?
I do, and it’s a secret for a reason (although not much of a secret around my friends)!
How did you get into dancing? Did you always know you wanted to be a ballerina?
My mum sent me to ballet classes because I used to stand up on the chair in the middle of dinner, be it at home or in a restaurant, and would perform unannounced for the entire crowd! Anything from the ‘chicken dance’ to reciting nursery rhymes. I think she wanted to channel my energy and enthusiasm into something productive.
I never expressed an interest in starting ballet but I never once protested either! I began taking it seriously when I joined Chance to Dance at the Royal Opera House for weekly lessons with Royal Ballet teachers at age 6. Even back then I loved moving to beautiful music, I loved the acting element (my first role on stage with The Royal Ballet was a baby mouse in The Tales of Beatrix Potter when I was 9 years old) and of course, there’s no feeling like the moment you step on stage and take it all in. You put your hard work and life experience to the test in order to deliver the best show you possibly can.
Had you not been a dancer what do you see yourself doing?
I love animals so I would have given up London life and moved to Asia to help care for endangered species like orangutans and elephants, as well as caring for other abused or abandoned animals.
What is your most treasured possession?
My life and my Louboutins!
Do you see yourself living in west London indefinitely?
For as long as I live in London, I will be staying west! In the future, my work will take me to Ibiza a lot and potentially to other far off, exotic lands. I’m quite impulsive so may want to stay put somewhere!
