A Conversation About Beginnings and Dreams
How did your journey with dance begin?
To be honest, I don’t remember the exact moment when I decided I wanted to dance. Movement has always come very naturally to me. My mom says I’ve been dancing my whole life. Over time, it became a way for me to express my emotions and tell stories without words.
Until I was 14, I danced various styles—everything I could try. I also trained in sports acrobatics. I was looking for ways to express myself. The turning point for me was getting into the General Ballet School in Łódź. That’s when dance stopped being just an after-school activity and became my everyday life—something I began devoting all my time to.
Do you remember your first performance? Your first time in pointe shoes?
My first performance… I was very young, but I immediately felt at home on stage.
Pointe work came relatively late, because I joined the ballet school in fifth grade and had to make up for several years of training. It really wasn’t easy at first, but over time, pointe work became my favorite part of class, and that experience taught me tremendous determination.
What does a typical day look like for a dancer?
I’m in the 9th grade at a general ballet school, and it’s a very intense time. I have to admit it’s never been this hard. My high school classes are interspersed with about four hours of dance practice every day. I’m preparing for my diploma and for a competition in Gdańsk, so every day requires my full concentration.
I spend 4 to 6 hours a day training, sometimes more. But in reality, I dance all the time, because the basic elements of dance are movement and rhythm, and rhythm accompanies us biologically—in our heartbeat and our breath. That’s why dancing doesn’t end when I leave the studio.
How do you take care of your recovery and physical condition?
Recovery is very important to me. I make sure to get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and take vitamin supplements. I always have one day a week completely off—so that my body and mind can truly rest. I’m learning to listen to my body, because I know it’s my most important tool for work.
What has been your biggest challenge in ballet?
The biggest challenge is realizing that I don’t always have to be perfect. Ballet is demanding, and it’s easy to fall into perfectionism. I’m learning to accept that things might not go as planned—and that doesn’t diminish my worth or the years of work I’ve put in.
Have you ever thought about quitting?
Honestly, there’s never been a moment when I wanted to stop dancing. I’ve always felt that this is my path. There have been times when I lost faith in myself, but they were brief. Then I’d go back to the studio, and everything would become clear again.
What gives you inspiration and motivation during difficult times?
The people around me and their support give me motivation during tough times. I also often think back to myself as a five-year-old girl who dreamed of big stages. My favorite dancers inspire me, but really, I can find inspiration everywhere—in music, in nature, or in everyday life.
Who is your role model in the world of dance?
I can’t name just one person. My role model isn’t someone famous, but someone who inspires me with more than just movement. What matters to me is where that movement comes from—what experience, what story, and what sensibility it stems from. I admire people who not only impress with their technique but are also able to give something to another person.
What does success mean to you?
Success is pushing past your own limits.
It’s growth—not just as a dancer, but as a person.
It’s gaining experience that I’ll be able to pass on to others in the future.
What dance achievement do you consider your most important one so far?
I believe that every second spent in the studio and every piece of feedback I’ve received is an achievement. However, a huge step for me is the opportunity to join the international trainee program at Kayzer Ballet. To me, this is a sign that my work has meaning and that I can take the next step toward a professional career.
What emotions do you feel on stage?
On stage, I feel a tremendous sense of freedom. Especially in the choreographies I create myself—that’s when I’m truly in my own world. In those moments, nothing else exists. I feel nothing but the joy of movement.
If you could dance any role, what would it be?
When it comes to classical ballet, one of the roles I would very much like to dance is the Black Swan from “Swan Lake.” It’s an extremely demanding role, both technically and in terms of acting, full of strength, character, and intense emotions.
When it comes to contemporary dance, my biggest dream is to dance in a choreography by Sharon Eyal. Her movement language is something special to me—when I watch her work, I get the impression that the body can transcend its limits and move in a completely different way than what seems possible.
What are your plans for the future?
In the future, I would like above all to continue developing and gaining experience as a dancer, working with choreographers who are constantly searching for a new language of movement and aren’t afraid to push boundaries. I would like to dance with companies that inspire me with their courage, authenticity, and approach to the body.
At the same time, I dream of creating a place in the future where dance is more than just a technique. A space where people can better understand their bodies, emotions, and the way movement connects with what’s happening in our minds.
I’d also like to support young dancers and show them that dance isn’t about being better than others, but about the courage to be yourself. About discovering your own language of movement and finding freedom in dance.
What is your biggest dream related to ballet?
The opportunity to work with Sharon Eyal. Her work is incredibly inspiring to me—when I watch her choreography, I feel as though the movement transcends the limits of what seems possible for the body. It’s a language of dance that is at once very raw, emotional, and mesmerizing.
Has ballet taught you anything about life?
Dancing has taught me many things that help me in my daily life, such as discipline, patience, and mindfulness.
What are the biggest myths about ballet?
One of the myths about ballet is the belief that dancers are always very delicate and fragile. In reality, dance requires tremendous physical strength and endurance. A dancer’s body must be strong, flexible, and highly aware all at once.
People often see lightness and beauty on stage, but they don’t realize how much work, effort, and determination goes into making the movement look so natural and effortless.
Do you have a favorite ballet?
I can’t pick just one favorite ballet, but “Romeo and Juliet” really moves me because it’s a story full of powerful emotions that can be expressed with incredible intensity through dance. I like performances where the movement truly tells the story and allows the audience to feel something.
I’m also hugely inspired by contemporary performances, such as Ohad Naharin’s “Deca Dance.” When I watch the choreography of Ohad Naharin or Sharon Eyal, I’m often left speechless. Their language of movement is almost unreal to me—a way of moving that is at once very human, yet transcends what seems possible for the body. It inspires me immensely and shows just how infinite the possibilities of dance can be.
How does ballet influence your relationships with your loved ones?
Ballet has a huge impact on my life, so naturally it also affects my relationships with my loved ones. I live in a dormitory on a daily basis because I attend a ballet school in a city different from my hometown. This means I don’t get to see my family as often as I’d like. At the same time, their support is very important to me, and I know I can always count on them.
Is it difficult to balance your personal life with the demands of the dance world?
Sometimes it can be difficult, because dance requires a tremendous amount of commitment and discipline. Rehearsals, performances, and preparations often take up most of the day. At the same time, dance has taught me to manage my time very well and to appreciate the moments spent with my loved ones. I think that’s precisely why these relationships become even more valuable.
What three words would you choose to describe the life of a dancer?
Freedom. Determination. Search.
Interview by Monika Węgrzyn
President of the Dance to Be Foundation
The interview was conducted on March 8, 2026
We would like to thank all the donors who supported our “A Stage for Amelia” project. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to raise the funds needed to cover the last two installments of tuition for the ballet program in Portugal.
Thanks to you, Amelia no longer has to worry about staying in the program. In September, she will begin a new chapter on her artistic journey!
