Rebecca Blenkinsop (Prix de Lausanne Finalist)

Rebecca's Prix de Lausanne Classical Variation

Rebecca's Prix de Lausanne Contemporary Variation

An extremely talented ballerina, Rebecca Blenkinsop, will be attending the Royal ballet in just 2 weeks.  Rebecca was a finalist in the highly competitive Prix de Lausanne that received a scholarship to the school. The scholarships are given at the networking forum that is connected to the competition.

Rebecca began her ballet training at the age of 10, a time in which most people began pointe. The reason that Rebecca had started ballet so late was actually because she began dancing with jazz and only later did she fall in love with ballet. Now, Rebecca says, “I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I love putting in all the hard work and effort.” Despite starting at such a young age, she was able to improve quickly and eventually receive scholarships to amazing ballet schools such as the Royal Ballet school, Houston Ballet Academy, English National Ballet School, ABT, and more. Choosing between these schools can be very difficult but not for Rebecca. She says that she always knew the Royal Ballet School would be her first choice and that she “always wanted to go to the Royal Ballet School.”

Reaching the top isn’t easy. Rebecca had to train approximately 24 hours a week to prepare for the Prix de Lausanne. She used to attend the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School where she would receive full-time training. “My greatest influence is probably my ballet teacher, Maggie Lorraine. She has inspired me a lot,” Rebecca says. Aside from training at her studio, she also has a long routine of daily warm up stretches. Aside from her stretches, she says, “I cross train for 30 minutes everyday and do a 15 minute strengthening workout (push ups, sit-ups, planks etc…). I do gyrotonics as well which is incredible and has help me a lot.”

To reach the finals, there is a great deal of auditioning. It can be difficult to stand out during an audition when you’re in a room packed with dozens of talented ballerinas. Rebecca says “ [During an audition,] I usually wear a brighter color leotard. I also try to practice at the back of the studio while other groups are dancing, which makes you seem like a hard worker. I generally tend to separate myself  and where I am standing from other dancers as well.” She is also able to set herself apart from other dancers when she is on stage by expressing her passion through each of her performances. She has the added advantage that she doesn’t get stage fright. She says, “I’m pretty good with nerves I don’t usually get to nervous. SOmetimes, I take deep breaths. I just run through my dances before I go on stage and think positive thoughts. It’s all in the mind.”

Rebecca feels that the prix de lausanne was an invaluable experience for her. The greatest lesson she learned from being apart of the competition was, “to have confidence in yourself. The level of competitiveness can be very overwhelming.  You just have to focus on what you are doing instead of watching other dancers and comparing yourself to them.” Rebecca says, “Attending the Prix de Lausanne was incredible because it was like auditioning for the world’s top ballet schools in one week in one place. The exposure is amazing and I loved meeting all the other incredible dancers as well.”

Rebecca will be moving to England by herself to attend the school. She says she is “excited, but [she] will miss her friends and family.” Luckily, she will not be completely alone as she already knows a couple of people that will be starting in the same year as her. One of the benefits of attending such an amazing ballet school is the possibility of meeting famous dancers. Rebecca says, “[she] would love to meet Carlos Acosta, Marianela Nuñez and Natalia Osipova.”

In the future, after completing her training at the Royal Ballet School, she says, “[She] will audition for companies around Europe and hopefully join one.” She also says, “[Getting to dance with the Royal Ballet Company] would be amazing” and she would like to hopefully receive that opportunity in her 3rd year. Although the road ahead is difficult for any ballerina, I have no doubt Rebecca will do just fine. As she says so herself, “Just work hard and be dedicated. That is the best advice I can give, if you work hard, you will achieve what you want to.”

Congratulations to Rebecca on her amazing accomplishment!!!

Fun Questions:

1. Favorite leotard brand?

Any brand I have lots.

2. What brand of pointe shoes do you wear?

Gaynor Mindens

3. Do you try to eat really healthy?

Yes, I do. This helps keep me fit and healthy . I feel better and always have a lot of energy.

4. Where do you get your costumes from?

My mom makes them, she is pretty amazing.

5. What are your favorite ballet variations?

I don’t have a favourite. I love them all, but I tend to go for the more adagio and turning ones.

6. Any junk food you can’t give up?

Carrot cake I love it so much !!!

7. Who is your ballet idol?

Svetlana Zakharova and Sylvie Guillem