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Interview with Natàlia Ribalta

Discover the inspiring story of a dancer who has turned her dream into reality!  At just 18 years old, Natàlia Ribalta has gone from training at the Professional Dance Conservatory of Barcelona to performing with a professional company in the Czech Republic.

She shared with us what her daily life is like, the challenges she has overcome, and the role models who have inspired her

  • Natàlia, thank you for joining us for this interview! First of all, a huge congratulations from our entire team! Your journey is truly inspiring, and we couldn’t be prouder of everything you’ve accomplished. We’re excited to hear more about your experiences, challenges, and dreams—so let’s dive in! 

Thank you, Natalia. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Natalia Ribalata, and I’m 18 years old, born on July 14, 2006. Classical dance has been my greatest passion since I was a child. When I was 12, I auditioned for the Professional Dance Conservatory of Barcelona, with the auditions held at the theater. I was selected, and for six years, I trained intensively at the conservatory. After completing my training, I had the opportunity to join a professional dance company in the Czech Republic. Currently, I am working there, and I feel very happy and fulfilled.

  • Tell us, how is a normal day in your life here in the Czech Republic?

My day in the Czech Republic starts at 7:30 in the morning. I wake up, have breakfast, and get ready. Then, I walk to the company. The classical ballet class begins at 9:00 and lasts about an hour or an hour and fifteen minutes, depending on the day. After finishing the class, which serves as a warm-up, we have rehearsals. These depend on the schedule for the season’s shows. Morning rehearsals usually end around 12:00 or 1:00, depending on the day.

Afterward, I have time to go home for lunch, and in the afternoon, there are also rehearsals that typically last about two hours, from 3:00 to 5:00. However, there are days when I don’t have rehearsals, depending on the repertoire we’re working on. When my day is done, I go back home, take a shower, and depending on the day, I might run errands like grocery shopping or other tasks. If rehearsals have been intense and I don’t have much time, I just shower, have dinner, and go to bed. I usually end up very tired, so I make sure to get a good night’s rest to be ready for the next day.

  • Can you share what inspired your passion for ballet and when you decided to take it seriously?

As a child, I was always very active. Before dinner, I would dance non-stop, and after dinner, I would keep dancing. I was always moving. My parents noticed how much I loved to dance and decided to enroll me in classical dance classes when I was only five years old. At first, I attended classes twice a week, and I absolutely loved it.

Over time, I started taking it more seriously. I joined a dance school and completed six years of training. Now, I am fortunate enough to work professionally in the world of dance, and it truly is a dream come true.

  • Who has been your biggest influence or role model in the ballet world?

There are many dancers who have been role models for me, but especially two: Marianela Núñez, who is currently the principal dancer at the Royal Opera House in London, and Natalia Osipova, who is also a soloist at the same theater. Both are exceptional dancers with incredible technique that makes them absolutely unique. Watching them dance is truly an art.

I vividly remember the day I had the opportunity to see Natalia Osipova perform live; it was an amazing and unforgettable experience. Both of them have been role models for me because, in certain moments, I feel connected to them, which makes them even more special to me. Without a doubt, they are true examples to follow.

  • Can you describe a moment when you felt overwhelmed but pushed through to continue pursuing ballet?

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a summer intensive in London, and it was truly an amazing experience. When the intensive ended, the director of the school wanted to speak with me and offered me a place to join the center. Although this proposal filled me with excitement and gratitude, the situation became complicated. Accepting it meant leaving my family and home at just 15 years old, and that made me feel insecure.  

At that moment, I didn’t feel ready. Mentally, it was too big of a step, and professionally, I felt I still needed to improve my technique before making such an important change. The thought of leaving my family and my city made me doubt a lot, to the point where I cried. It was a very tough and difficult decision to accept.  

In the end, I chose to stay in Barcelona, where I could combine my academic studies with dance and continue my training close to home. I was very grateful for the opportunity, as it confirmed that I was on the right path. This experience taught me that doors can always open in the future. Later on, I was offered a place here, in the Czech Republic, which showed me that opportunities come when you least expect them.  

Now, at 18 years old, I feel much more prepared, both emotionally and personally, to face big challenges. Things have changed, and I know that if new opportunities arise, I will be ready to accept them. But at that time, the decision to stay at home was the best choice for me.

  • What advice would you give to other young kids considering a big move to follow their dreams?

To all the young kids who are chasing their dreams, I would tell them not to stop fighting for what they truly want. If they want to achieve something great, they must work hard and consistently to move forward and reach their goals. It’s important to understand that along the way, there will always be obstacles, tough moments, or situations that don’t turn out as expected. But the most important thing is to never give up and keep moving forward with determination.  

It’s also essential to know that life has its ups and downs, and it’s normal to feel sad sometimes. I, myself, occasionally miss my family, and that can be tough. However, when these situations arise, you have to keep pushing forward. If you truly want something, you have to give your all to achieve it. If you work with passion and perseverance, I am sure you will succeed.

  • What is the use you give to English in the Czech Republic?

For me, English is a fundamental language. Here, I communicate with everyone in English, as there are people from many places, like Australia, Portugal, and Spain, and English is the language we use to understand each other. It’s a language that’s very present in my daily life, and this is really helpful because I can constantly improve.  

Furthermore, it’s a way to learn and grow, both personally and professionally. The truth is, I’m very happy to be here and to be able to live this experience.

Many thanks Natalia for your time and for sharing this great experience with us and our students and community.

You are a role model for many young students that want to pursue a dream, without any doubt.  We are so glad to have been a little part of your training process in terms of the English language and feel so proud that now you have the opportunity to use it in your daily life as an essential tool. Good luck with your career!

 



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