Name: Lindsey Belsky
Age: 16
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Where you currently dance: California Dance Theatre & Pacific Festival Ballet Company
Favorite roles performed: Doll & Clara's Friend,The Nutcracker; Peacock, Camelot
Dream roles/ballets: Juliet, Romeo and Juliet; Giselle; Rubies
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received:
The best piece of advice I've ever received is definitely to not compare yourself to others, because I've struggled with constantly thinking that I will never be good enough and [that] people are always above me. But, I have to realize that if I keep comparing myself, I'm never going to get to where I want to be. I'm my own competition, and I just have to be better and better every single day, whether it's in dance or life.
How and when did you get your start in dance?
I started dance when I was three years old... actually wait... two years old! My mom put me into ballet, and I loved it! Then I went through this point in time where I didn't want to do ballet, and I just did hip hop. About three months into that, I was like, 'I'm going back to ballet', and ever since, I've just loved it! It's my biggest passion.
What kind of pointe shoes do you wear?
I wear Freed of London pointe shoes (Classics). My favorite makers are wine glass, anchor, and the Y maker. I love Freeds; they form to your foot, and they just have a really nice look. I can roll through them and build strength in them. I've worn Suffolk Sonnets, and those are great too.
Favorite dance wear brand?
My favorite dance wear brands are definitely Yumiko and Luckyleo. I love them! They're the most flattering and beautiful leotards. For essentials, Discount Dance is my go-to.
I know you recently competed in YAGP! What was that experience like?
YAGP was such an amazing experience. Honestly, I cant express how much of a different feeling it was than I'm used. [At my home studio] we perform in a huge theater; but, having that moment of just you, doing that variation, with all eyes on you and that pressure almost like you would have as a professional dancer was something so special. I went with a few girls from my studio, and our artistic director took us. It was a great bonding experience, and I learned a lot! I definitely would want to do it again.
Do you have any pre-performance or competition rituals?
Way before [performing], I go over all of my choreography. Right before I go on stage, if that's all I'm thinking about, I'll get overwhelmed. So, I just go back there and breathe and kind of stretch out my legs; I don't want to overthink it. I just want to step out there and perform like it's the last time I'm ever going to dance. That's just the mindset that I try to put myself into.
What does a day in the life of Lindsey look like?
I'm home-schooled, so I wake up at 8:30... I'm not the biggest morning person! I'll usually do a little stretch in the morning, and then I'll start my school work. I'll do that for a couple of hours [before] I eat breakfast. My favorite breakfast is an acai bowl with peanut butter and granola. It's the best thing ever- highly recommend! My mother makes the best ones!
Then I have pre-pro. So. I go to my studio and have my pre-professional program, which is two hours, and then I'm there all day. Sometimes I'll have physical therapy to go to, stretch class, anything like that. Then, I'll have my night classes which are often pointe, contemporary, and ballet. I have ballet every day, but I have jazz and contemporary sometimes as well, which is a fun mixture. I'm at dance from usually 1:30 to either 7:30 or 8:45. I also have rehearsals depending on if it's Nutcracker season or if we're doing a spring ballet. So, that's a typical day! I love to come home, wind down, eat some dinner, roll out, ice my feet, and just have a relaxing night. I love watching T.V., and I love The Great British Baking Show; it's how I like to relax!
What are your long term and short term goals as a dancer?
My long term goal is to become a professional ballerina one day. It's my dream. I still want to have an education, but ballet is my love, and that's what I want to do in my future. My short term goals are working on my turn out and the strength of my turnout.
You mentioned acai bowls as your favorite breakfast... Can you tell us a little more about your love for healthy eating?
I am a very big advocate for healthy eating. I'm a vegan, and I've been vegan for almost four years now. I totally believe in balance; I love treats, and I love sweets! I just love living a healthy lifestyle and eating nourishing foods... that's how I feel my best. I have a vegan Instagram account called, @plant.powered.ballerina; I share a lot of my vegan recipes on there. I just love nourishing my body and my soul!
Have you ever tried Pointe Paint before?
I have tried Pointe Paint before... it is literally amazing!
What do you like about using Pointe Paint?
It's super vibrant, it's the color you would expect, and it just looks great. I love it! I highly recommend Pointe Paint; it works for every kind of role you would like, and they have plenty of colors. It's awesome!
