Journey to the Ballet

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a professional Ballerina?

We caught up with Ballerina and Model Tierney Heap – First Soloist with the Royal Ballet – to hear about her journey to the top…Tierney has featured in Vogue, Women’s Health, Hello Fashion and lots more, here is what she had to say…

Video Credit: @dancersdiary

Photo Credit: https://www.tierneyheap.com/gallery

"Being with The Royal Ballet has given me many fantastic opportunities."

I was born ‘Up North’ in Lancashire, now I live in London with my boyfriend, our dog ZuZu and our two kittens Mowgli and Zeke. I started dancing at the age of 2 doing all kinds of dance; tap, modern, ballet and singing too. Around the age of 8 I started to really focus on ballet when I got accepted into the Royal Ballet Junior Associates. I always knew I wanted to dance professionally and was committed to the hard work and training.

I have performed in many shows, and I have a couple of favourites, but if I had to choose one in particular, I would say it was dancing the Queen of Hearts in Alice’s adventures in Wonderland. It was so liberating to perform this ballet as I could bring so much of my personality into it and its just such a fun, family friendly ballet.

Photo Credit: https://www.tierneyheap.com/gallery | Bill Cooper

Photo Credit: https://www.tierneyheap.com/gallery

Usually there are 4-6 weeks of rehearsals before a ballet is ready for performances. I rehearse at The Royal Opera House everyday Monday to Saturday. We have amazing studios there and a huge beautiful stage. Rehearsal days are from 9:30/10:30am until 6:30pm if there is no show that evening. If there is a show that evening then our day finishes at 5:30pm to allow extra time to get ready.

There are makeup artists and hair stylists backstage for every performance. I mostly do my own stage makeup, however for principal roles, and those that require elaborate makeup, a makeup artist will do this. There are also dressers for every show to get us into costumes as some can be very difficult to get on.

"I do still get nervous..."

I do still get nervous… no matter how many times I perform on stage, especially for specific roles and very challenging roles. Some nerves can be good for the performance, but there have been shows where the nerves have taken over the enjoyment and not being able to control that can be really annoying. Performing is like any other job, sometimes things just don’t go how I would like them to…

These days are very frustrating and sometimes it can really affect you. You have to allow yourself those days and accept they will happen and that is ok. I often will just take that day a little easier and don’t push too much or expect too much of myself in rehearsals.

Photo Credit: https://www.tierneyheap.com/gallery | Bill Cooper

Photo Credit: https://www.tierneyheap.com/gallery

Of course there are many, many more good days than bad days…I absolutely love my job!!! The adrenaline whilst on stage is something I never experience in anything else I do. It’s very liberating to be on stage and taking a curtain call with the whole audience showing their appreciation, it is so special.

Being with The Royal Ballet has given me many fantastic opportunities, I have travelled, worked in the most beautiful places, made fantastic friends and had lots of fun…I will never forget when in one performance of Swan Lake one of the male dancers dressed up as a swan and joined the Corps de Ballet in the last act; it was his final performance as a dancer, he was in full costume pointe shoes and everything!

Photo Credit: https://www.tierneyheap.com/gallery

GET TO KNOW TIERNEY…

If you wasn’t a ballet dancer, where would you be?
If I wasn’t a ballet dancer I would have liked to be a vet or work in a role that involves animals. I’m mad about animals 🙂 Either that or a naturopathist as I’m very passionate about a Plant Based Lifestyle.

What hobbies do you have?
I love collecting antiques and old things. I love a good jigsaw puzzle too.

What would you say your fashion style is?
I wouldn’t say I have a particular style, my style is quite quirky and changes frequently. I really like to dress myself on how I’m feeling when I wake up.

How many ballet shoes do you have?
I go through between 60 and 100 pairs of ballet shoes a year. Some dancers actually go through 1 pair a day or 2 Pairs a show!!

If you would like to see more of Tierney check out her insta @tierneyheap and website www.tierneyheap.com