Sarah V.  is a classical ballet dancer from New York who’s been traveling the world performing in the grandest theaters since she was 14 years old.

She’s extremely private about her life and career so she asked me not share her photo or full name to keep her privacy, but she was very excited to share some of her personal stories.

Sarah began dancing as a toddler as she comes from a family of musicians. Her parents expected ( hoped) she would take on the piano or violin but she rebelled and asked for dance lessons. By 13, Sarah exceeded in class, and was continuously up for new challenges so she began jazz lessons, and eventually at 16 she begun hip hop dance, under the guidance of some of the most famous choreographers in the world, she didn’t mention specific names but ones who’ve worked with J Lo, for example.

Eventually she began touring and appearing in shows all over the world. She recalls them as “exciting times” but she looks back at them with a lot of sadness, as she suffered with food disorders and body dysmorphia. "Sometimes Leila, we would challenge each other on who could go on the longest without eating". The ages between 16 and 21 were really tough, they’re tough for anyone but as a dancer my schedule was grueling and the competition was fierce all the time.

Their troupe took them all over South America which she remembers or describes as the happiest and most exciting adventures. She loved Brazil, the samba and the warmth of the people; “ I must have been from Rio in my past life because I felt right at home there”. Then they traveled to Dubai where she spent a few months. “They built the tallest building in the world, and biggest mall, but nothing is real there, everything is just massive big and tacky but the city barely has any soul no matter how much they try”.

They spent 5 months in the region working on prestigious shows, but the problem was the lack of professional local talent. The dancers we had to train were very difficult, really behind, not open to new ideas and their ideas of dance and choreography was very limiting.

Greatest inspirations or influences?

• I am greatly inspired by the passion and intensity of flamenco dancers,

• Also there are too many ballet dancers to name here, the greatest are legends.

• I am influenced by everything around me, nature, music, the people I spend time with, and my beautiful family

Favorite websites or social media handles you follow?

i am not on social media I barely have time to even check my regular emails. I don’t want to get addicted to my phone and Im not a fan of instagram and people who need to post photos of themselves for attention, so I make a point to not use social media and I like to protect my privacy. Its a much healthier life. Be present.

How do you feel pandemic is affecting you and how do you see things moving forward?

This situation is hard for everyone and this is just the beginning. I do yoga and meditate every day sometimes three times a day and I continue my practice at home or in studio while keeping social distancing rules. I am back in NY and its a new world out here, That said, we humans adapt very fast to our new realities, so lets see how we evolve from this one.

Anything else?

Dancing is a form of therapy and release particularly these days, try it. Let yourself free by music, let your body guide you into some movement trust it because it will know where to lead you . You just have to be open to it and let it all flow.

Thank you Leila for this opportunity for giving creative people a safe place to say what they are thinking.

• the dancer on the cover image is not Sarah V. she wanted to be anonymous to feel free to be more open about the world of ballet and contemporary dance. First time since 2008 we have this situation but found her insight really interesting therefore we chose to share it this way.

Image Credit : The Australian Ballet.