Interview with Ksenia Ovsyanick
After a decade of performances with the Covent Garden Dance Company, we interviewed Principal dancer, Ksenia Ovsyanick to find out what she’s most looking forward to at Hatch House 2024.
Between the end of the stunning Staatsballett Berlin season and her busy life as a mum, we were delighted to catch up with Principal dancer, Ksenia Ovsyanick.
A hugely important member of the Covent Garden Dance Company, Ksenia is returning to Hatch House for her tenth year and bringing with her an exciting and unique improvised performance that promises to delight this year’s audience.
British-Belorussian ballet dancer, Ksenia became known for her collaborations beyond the stage with art galleries, artists, fashion designers, musicians and filmmakers. She started her career at English National ballet, joining Staatsballett Berlin in 2016 and over the years performed on stages around the world and winning numerous prestigious dance awards.
Discover more about this year’s performances at Hatch House and how becoming a mother has shaped her dancing in our interview below.
How long you have been working with Covent Garden Dance Company?
I was part of the early performance by CGDC back in 2009/10. And I have been here on numerous occasions since. In fact, I believe I have performed almost at every show in the last 10 years!
Ksenia performing with Dinu Tamazlacaru at Hatch House 2023
Photo credit: Alice Pennefather
What has been your favourite moment whilst performing for CGDC?
I think the locations and performing in the open air are always a very special experience. And the meticulous conditions that Matt creates that enable us to deal with any weather allow to truly enioy performing in such unique settings.
What are you looking forward to most this year?
This year I’m bringing as a partner, Principal Cellist of Deustche Oper, Arne-Christian Pelz. I think having live music for this evening will be a very special addition and I very much looking forward to bringing to Hatch audience our collaboration with AC.
What inspired you to create the new piece with Arne-Christian?
We have had chances to work with AC before and it inspired me to look for more opportunities for collaboration. Rather than just dancing to the music, communicating with the musician as a partner during the performance creates a very different experience. Instead of telling two parallel stories we create one together in the moment, and while we “speak” in different languages you have to breathe and feel together, and I believe it is palpable for the audience to feel and experience too.
Tell us about the piece of music you are using.
It is classically based but rearranged/recomposed by AC. You will be in for a treat!
What role would you most like to play that you are yet to debut?
Its a long list! There is a lot I still want to do and create.
How important are charities like the Dicky Buckle Fund and Covent Garden Dance Company for the future of dance?
Dance is one of the least supported art forms, yet it so expressive and relatable. It transcends language bariers, it can portray things you cannot describe in words. It is wonderful to have funds such as Dicky Buckle supporting developments in dance. Sometimes the smallest crops can grow into the biggest harvest.
Photo credit: Patricio Melo
You will be performing alongside some wonderful artists from all around the world this year, who are you most looking forward to watching perform?
It is always nice to meet new dancers as well as reconnect with those you know. Coming from different places, there is always something you can learn and get inspired from. This year there are quite a few new dancers I haven’t met before and I very much look forward to discovering their art.
How do you juggle your busy life as a ballerina and a mother?
Its busy… Because I don’t want to sacrifice either time with my son nor the quality of my ballet performances. I guess what gets sacrificed is sleep…
How has being a mother changed you as a dancer?
The work became very precise and focused, as you can’t afford to waste time. It is very enriching emotionally, giving me more emotions and feelings I can tap into as an actor. Also I had to completely relearn my body and how to use it in dance. As the result of such a process and all the additional training I did, I believe it made me a stronger dancer.
Can you tell us something people don’t know about you?
I cannot ride a bike. But I can ride a horse.
Don’t miss Hatch House 2025.
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Interview with Beatrice & Max
Ahead of an exciting international tour, we caught up with Birmingham Royal Ballet partners and Principals Beatrice Parma and Max Maslen.
Ahead of an exciting international tour and fresh from her promotion to Principal in March, we caught up with Birmingham Royal Ballet partners, Beatrice Parma and Principal, Max Maslen.
Beatrice & Max dancing Hobson’s Choice by David Bintley.
Photo credit: Bill Cooper.
Italian born, Beatrice Parma is a Principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB). Originally from Livorno, Italy, she trained at Accadamia Teatro alla Scala and English National Ballet School. Upon graduating, Beatrice worked for three years in Turkey in a company in Mersin, before joining the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Her partner in life and on the stage, Max Maslen, Principal of BRB, was born in Bradford where he trained locally until the age of 16, before moving to London to train full time at Central School of Ballet.
Can you tell us three things people don’t know about you?
“I am a hobbyist DJ, I play guitar in a band and I can’t sing!”
Max“I’m the happiest by the sea, I love watching Formula 1, I can’t go to bed without fluffing the sofa’s cushions.”
Beatrice
What has been your favourite role that you have danced?
“Juliet is without a doubt my favourite role that I’ve performed so far. I love how in MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet the choreography meets the music perfectly. Performing this role is always so special as you can bring so much individuality to it.”
Beatrice
“My favourite role I have performed would have to be Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. The sword fighting, the drama and fun make each show unique!”
Max
What role would you most like to dance that you are yet to debut?
“A dream role of mine has always been Marguerite in the Lady of the Camellias by John Neumeier. I remember watching it at the Teatro alla Scala when I was younger and completely falling in love with the role. The choreography is absolutely stunning and I would love the challenge of performing such a complex and dramatic role.”
Beatrice“The role I would love to perform is Sergeant Francis Troy in David Bintley’s Far from the Madding Crowd. Some of the pas de deux are extremely challenging and I’d love to have a chance to dig deep into the character.”
Max
What has been the highlight of your year with BRB?
Carlos Acosta promoting Beatrice to Principal
Photo credit: Birmingham Royal Ballet
“My highlight of the season has to be watching my girlfriend get promoted to Principal dancer on stage after her performance of Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. It’s a special moment for anyone and even more so knowing all the hard work and dedication that she put in.”
Max“Getting promoted to principal was not only the most special moment of this season with BRB, but of my career. Carlos walking on stage and announcing the promotion after my Aurora show is a moment I will forever cherish. I never expected to get to the top so I’m so grateful and honoured to start next season as a Principal dancer of the company.”
Beatrice
What are you looking forward to most about dancing at Hatch House with the Covent Garden Dance Company this year?
“Galas are always a great opportunity to meet new people and dancers. I’m looking forward to dancing in such a beautiful location and get inspired by all the other dancers performing there.”
Beatrice“I’m looking forward to being able to meet other artists from around the world and to try and learn and take inspiration from them.”
Max
Beatrice Parma - Nutcracker
Photo credit: Bill Cooper
What will you be dancing?
“We will be performing Sir Frederick Ashton’s wedding pas de deux from La Fille Mal Gardée and another Ashton iconic pas de deux - Rhapsody.”
Beatrice
What inspired you to dance these pieces?
“We chose these pieces as we’ve performed them before, got to grips with the way they move and flow, and now can push them to go further.”
Max“We are about to perform La Fille Mal Gardée with BRB next season so we thought it would also be a nice addition to the evening as it’s just a beautiful pas de deux.”
Beatrice
When you’re dancing these pieces together how does it make you feel?
“Being together in life, it’s always nice to share moments not only off stages, but on as well. It adds onto memories we’ve built together.”
Beatrice“We’ve always enjoyed performing together! it’s usually only outside of the company that we get to choose what repertoire we dance together as well!”
Max
Beatrice in Juliano Nunes’ Interlinked
Photo credit: Tristan Kenton
You will be performing alongside some wonderful artists from all around the world this year, who are you most looking forward to watching perform?
“I’m excited to watch everyone perform, there’s always things you can learn from different dancers and get inspired in a different ways”
Beatrice“I wouldn’t want to say individually who I’m looking forward to see perform, but more the collective and how each artist will bring something completely different to the evenings.”
Max
What do you like most about performing for events such as this?
“I’d say the most special thing about Galas like this one, is how dancers from all over the world come together for a few days sharing what we love.”
Beatrice
Want to watch a world class line up of artists?
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A message from Myriam & Mickaël
With one month to go until Hatch House 2023, we are delighted to share a video message from Étoile, Myriam Ould-Braham and Coryphée, Mickaël Lafon - our Covent Garden Dance Company artists from the Paris Opéra Ballet.