Meet the graduate: Tessa Karle

What is your best memory?

I have a number of amazing memories from my time at the New Zealand School of Dance, but some of the best memories involve the wonderful performance opportunities I had, as well as the lifelong bonds I formed with my peers and the tutors, many of whom I have stayed in close contact with after graduation. I truly feel I owe so much to the tutors who taught me throughout my three years at NZSD, as their wisdom, mentorship and support gave me the skills, experience and confidence to be able to make ballet my career.

Performing in the school’s graduation season was a big highlight of each year for me, as it always felt so special to share a part of myself with the audience and feel that our hard work as a collective to bring the show together had paid off.

My favourite work I danced while training at the school would have to be Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco – we were definitely all sweaty messes by the end of it, but what a rewarding ballet to dance!

What was one of the main life-lessons you learnt through your full-time studies?

Among many other lessons learnt, I think my biggest take away from my full-time training really was the way training to
be a dancer sets you up for all aspects
of a well-rounded life. You learn to look after your mind and body, to show up every day ready to give your best, to take responsibility for yourself and your work, and to have confidence in what you
have to offer.

Forging a career in ballet certainly does have its challenges, but you gain so many valuable skills and qualities along the way that will serve you well, regardless of whether you pursue dance professionally or choose to do something entirely different.