Through Dance You Gain Freedom

1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

I started traveling at the age of two, and I still remember my first impressions of the boundless sea. Of course, these trips are the most memorable, because the sea is so mysterious and strong. My parents are architects, so our trips are always connected with exploring the area, visiting sights and cultural places. We often stop in remote and quiet cities of Europe in search of wild beaches and unparalleled views, these trips give me the energy of freedom, delight and fill with meaning.

2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue dancing and how did you start?

When I was 7 years old, my mother sent me to rhythmic gymnastics, because I wanted to learn how to do a side ariel. At the end of the first year of training, I asked a question: When will I learn to make a side ariel? And I realized that this was not taught in rhythmic gymnastics. Then we started looking for an alternative. Flipping through your feed in on the social network, I found a Red ballet theater with amazing choreography, which was danced by children my age.

And I began to dream of dancing this choreographer's productions. We signed up for a viewing and came. This was my first meeting with my choreographer Maxim Shirmankin. I came to the theater at the age of 8, with almost zero base. There were splits, there was a back and everything, I didn't know how to dance at all. I thought they wouldn't take me, but apparently the choreographer saw something in me and took me for training. Later I learned that the side ariel is also taught here. Dreams come true.

3. Who is your favourite dancer and why ?

I like to watch the work of the Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman. He always creates something unexpected, even if he turns to popular masterpieces of the past, he gives a new interpretation. His choreographic language and visual images are great.

4. Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a dancer ?

Through dance you gain freedom, give yourself the opportunity to Express themselves, to share their feelings and thoughts. You conduct a dialogue with the audience and with the help of choreography you go beyond the limits of human limitations.

5. Is format training required or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent ?

Talent is hard work. If you are diligent and insatiable, you will achieve a lot. In our theater, a lot of time is devoted to technique and if you do not invest enough, it is difficult to awaken your talent.

6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists ?

I'm a beginner myself, it's always interesting to be a debutant). It is necessary not to lose motivation, find meaning in it, find time and energy, and always remain hungry and thirsty, strive and discover. It is important to be persistent, set goals and achieve them. Find sources of inspiration for yourself. For me, this is nature, books, music, travel, my favorite team Red ballet and of course my choreographer Maxim Shirmankin, who will always prompt and direct.

7. Which is your favourite book and why ?

I am very interested in Lewis Carroll's fairy tale "Alice in Wonderland". There is a lot of fantasy, imagination and absurdity in it. And at the same time, it is full of unpredictable situations, and something like our real life. The heroine gets into some not banal situations and it is always interesting how events unfold further.

Yana Chirkina - Dancer

Interview by - Priyanka