To have the opportunity to revisit the role is great because I’m more mature now and can approach it from a different perspective. Also, Judy Fugate is really fun to work with; she’s very detail oriented, with clear direction for everything, on down to your finger tips. I like that attention to detail because I think it’s so important to know that you’re well rehearsed by the time you get on stage.  And the ballet is very technical, so you’re having to dance at a very high level while acting convincingly. For me, what’s most exciting is the first entrance because you’re setting the interpretation of your character.

The second act is particularly challenging because it’s all miming and you’re on pointe the whole time, but it’s a fun role and I’m ready for the challenge! Here’s a photo of me as Coppélia with Madison Keesler as the doll, as part of our marketing campaign.

During a week’s time at San Francisco Ballet I usually have a routine.  I wake up at 8am and roll over and snooze for about 10 minutes. I love sleeping…and so I look forward to the weekend where on Sunday I can sleep for as long as I want.  My fiancé Davit loves to wake up early, but he knows that I’m not really a morning person so he lets me sleep. :)

After I arrive at the Ballet around 9:15am, I pick out my outfit for the day, pondering over my leotards and warm-ups at my locker. I need to have the right leotard and tights to wear for the activities of the day. What I wear also depends on what ballet I’m dancing in terms of style–classical, modern, or neoclassical.  If it’s classical, then I’ll wear my pink tights. if it’s neoclassical or modern, I’ll wear black tights or my Capri tights.  I like to wear my pink tights for class because I can see the classical lines better, and it forces me pull up and work correctly. (You can’t hide behind pink tights!)

We always start with class at 10am, so I prefer to stretch on the floor and at the barre for at least 20 minutes before class. I also like to chat with Tiit Helimets about his beautiful little daughter; the day ahead, or the challenging roles we will dance this year.

Our class ends at 11:15am, and we have a 15-minute break before we start rehearsals. Right now I am working on a new premiere, and I have Giselle. Tomorrow, I start work on the pas de deux from Nutcracker.

During the summer months, I have more time on my hands.  This is why I decided to start college classes with St. Mary’s College. I graduated last June, and am so happy to have accomplished this! Since I no longer have school work to focus on, I recently purchased the Rosetta Stone for Russian Language. I know a bit of Russian because I lived in St. Petersburg for one year and worked at the Kirov Ballet; I also took Russian in school for a year.  I speak to Davit’s family in Russian because they don’t speak English. I’m trying to learn Armenian as well, but figure it will be easier to work on learning more grammar and vocabulary in Russian since I already know it! (Russian is the second language in Armenia.)

I also like to unwind by watching a favorite TV show or movie, like Dancing with the Stars.  Some of my other favorite TV shows are Project Runway, America’s Got Talent, and America’s Next Top Model.

On the weekend, I enjoy activities that are outside in nature, or hanging out with my fiancé watching a movie. (We like to go to the Kabuki because you can drink a beverage of your choice, and the seats are a little bit larger than the other theaters!) I also like to get together with my friends over the weekend to catch up– and talk about something other than the ballet.  We mostly talk about my wedding preparations; there are lots of things to do before our wedding in Armenia, but it’s so much fun planning!

And there you have it. :)