Please provide a short introduction about yourself and your journey with dance.
I was born in and grew up in Estonia’s capital Tallinn. My mother took me to ballet performances from the age of four and I fell in love with dance and theatre; I knew from then that I wanted to be on stage. At the age of ten I had to wait a year before joining ballet school due to ill health but still dreamed of going. I was accepted into Tallinn Ballet School at the age of eleven and studied there for eight years. Part way through I was asked to go to Moscow by famous teacher Peter Pestov but trusted my teachers at home so I remained in Estonia.
After studying, I moved to London for nineteen years. I spent six years as Leading Principal Dancer with English National Ballet (ENB), then one year as a Principal Dancer for Birmingham Royal Ballet. I continued my career as a Principal Guest Artist for ENB for twelve years, as well as performing as an international freelance dancer for such theatres as La Scala di Milano, Rome Opera House, Berlin Staatsballet. Following this I then moved back to Estonia and worked for ten years as an Artistic Director of Estonian National Ballet.
I am currently working as a freelance artist and arts promoter on exciting international projects.
Please tell us about the highlights of your dance journey.
I was lucky to find a profession that suited me, something I was good at but also loved. I wanted to be a ballet dancer and was fortunate enough that this goal was achievable. Someone once told me that after you are twenty-five years old you stop learning, but I am still learning, I never stop!
One highlight for me was going to Jackson, Mississippi, for a competition as a young dancer. It was a very eye-opening experience because I did not think much of myself, but dancing there and suddenly getting a Bronze Medal gave me some confidence.
Going to London and dancing in some fantastic UK theatres is a highlight of its own. I think at the time I took this for granted but looking back I appreciate those experiences a huge amount. I remember performing at the Royal Albert Hall in Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet. Using a round stage created a wonderful atmosphere, reality left me and all my focus was on the role I was dancing and the public was all around you.
Whenever I created a piece of choreography it was a special moment, I love the feeling of losing myself in music and creating something.
I am a very positive person and always think of myself as the same energetic, youthful person I was whilst training. When I came back to Estonia after my long career, I continued to be myself and I encourage others to do the same. Always be yourself.
What has been the most memorable moment of your journey with dance?
Every day I have a highlight, the highlight of my life is just being happy and positive in whatever you do.
In my career I had lots of opportunities to perform, I cannot pick one performance that is more of a highlight than another. However, performing at the Concert for Diana at Wembley stadium was very special and always stands out to me.
You must perform every show as if it is your last, regardless of the environment you are performing in. This way you feel the passion and enjoyment every time.
Why is dance important to you?
Dance is life itself. It is movement, breath and emotion. You cannot lie on stage, you cannot pretend or stop because it is so physical and emotional. It is a challenge to lie to yourself when dancing; it is an extremely special artform as you can create something by yourself, within yourself and with yourself as an instrument. You do not have any attributes with you, no skis or footballs, it is just you and your movement.
I would pay to be on stage, it creates some unforgettable emotions. I do not know which other jobs allow you to channel these feelings.
Where do you find inspiration, both in dance and in life?
I love nature. I grew up weak young boy but I now enjoy being strong and getting outside with nature; camping, campfires, cycling. When I travel with my wife there are always two bikes in the car ready to go. It is also the sound of the wind, the trees and water; there is music everywhere.
Everything you do must come from the heart. Surround yourself with people who trust you, do not interfere with your feelings and respect you as you are. When creating you must also hugely trust yourself. Creation takes time but eventually the words and feelings within steps will flow.
If you could share some advice with young dancers, what would it be?
Be strong. Be honest with yourself and listen to feedback about areas in which you can improve. This is an important step to developing as a dancer and individual.
Enjoy yourself on stage and in the studio and never stop, always search for inspiration and take an interest in everything. If you can dance, the rest of the “work” comes from your heart.
Please share your thoughts about being a Patron for bbodance.
I feel a responsibility being a Patron of bbodance. People look up to us and I want to inspire them and be professional, both about my profession and dance. It is an honour to be a Patron.
Can you describe bbodance in 3 words?
Positive. Energy. Life.
What are your hopes for the future of dance?
Dance has always been there and it always will be. The world is based on movement, instinct and discipline, as soon as we are conceived we move. Everything in life is emotion and dance!
I hope that classical ballet will survive over coming centuries - it is the most demanding and complicated dance technique to exist. Society shifts and changes but I hope that we will be forever able to see classical ballet dancers fly across the stage, alongside the contemporary and modern styles of dance which are more grounded.
I also hope that future financial support for this art form keeps dancers and their families safe, it can be a short career which can be a financial concern and mean retraining for many.
I hope dancers continue to inspire dancers and non-dancers alike.
Do you have any advice for dance teachers?
You must inspire. Do not be afraid, embrace your inner child and do not forget that your students are eager to learn and be spontaneous. Get into the skin of others and understand how they feel, be open to your students.
You must be there for one another.
Why is it important for dance teachers to train and gain a qualification in dance teaching?
You train to gain qualifications because they give you knowledge that is centuries old, which was developed from different schooling traditions into a current advanced teaching practices. We learn the most by engaging with different schools and different teachers.
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