Professional dancer Jacinta Seivers has performed on stages across the globe, building a career that spans commercial, contemporary and acrobatic work. She sat down with us to share honest, practical advice on training, body care, auditions, and the things nobody tells you early enough.
From the Studio to the World Stage
Jacinta began training young, as most professional dancers do. What set her apart was adaptability. She could read every personality in a room, match the energy of a commercial audition, and then switch into the focused stillness required for contemporary performance. That range did not happen by accident.
"You have to train across styles," she says. "The dancers who work consistently are the ones who can do more than one thing well. Learn your classical foundation first. Everything else builds on that."
For young dancers and their families just starting out, getting that foundation right includes the basics, including what you wear. The right fit supports correct technique from the beginning. If you are sorting out a child's first kit, our guide on what to wear to a first ballet class covers exactly what you need.
What Jacinta Wishes She Had Known Earlier
Jacinta is direct about the gaps in her early training. Body care was one of them.
"Nobody sat me down and explained how to look after my body for a long career. I had to figure it out the hard way. Injuries that could have been avoided. Recovery that took longer than it needed to."
Her advice now is practical and consistent across every conversation she has with students.
- Warm up properly, every single time. Not just a few stretches. A real warm-up that raises your heart rate and prepares your joints.
- Cool down after class. Five minutes of gentle movement and stretching makes a real difference over months and years.
- Sleep is training. Treat it that way.
- Eat enough. Dancers, particularly teenage girls, often do not fuel their training properly. Performance and growth both suffer for it.
- Cross-train. Pilates, swimming and strength work protect the body and improve performance on stage.
Auditions: The Practical Reality
Jacinta has been on both sides of the audition table. Her perspective on what actually matters is worth hearing.
"Presentation is part of the job. The way you walk in, how you carry yourself before the music starts, whether your hair is neat and your uniform is clean. Those details signal professionalism. Judges notice."
She is consistent on this point. A well-fitted leotard, clean tights and correct footwear are not vanity. They are preparation. For exam situations specifically, uniform requirements are strict. Our breakdown of RAD ballet exam dress codes by grade is a useful reference if you are preparing for graded exams.
Jacinta also notes that nerves are normal and manageable. "Every professional dancer still gets nervous. The goal is not to eliminate nerves. It is to have a preparation routine solid enough that your body takes over."
Advice for Adult Dancers Returning to or Starting Ballet
One area Jacinta feels strongly about is adult participation in dance. She sees too many adults dismiss the idea before they start.
"Adults bring things to class that children cannot. Musicality, emotional depth, commitment. The technique takes longer to develop, but the experience of moving to music is available to everyone at any age."
For adults considering ballet for the first time or returning after a long break, the environment matters as much as the training. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare makes a real difference to whether someone stays. Our article on starting adult ballet in Australia walks through exactly what to expect in those early classes.
What She Looks for in a Dancer
When asked what quality she values most in dancers she has taught or worked alongside, the answer is immediate.
"Coachability. The ability to take feedback without shutting down or getting defensive. Talent is common. People who can receive correction, apply it immediately, and come back the next day ready to try again, those are the ones who build careers."
She pairs that with consistency. Not the big performances, but the ordinary Tuesday class. The student who shows up prepared, focused and ready to work every week.
Getting the Practical Things Right
Jacinta is practical about the business side of a dance career too. She encourages students and families to invest in quality where it counts, particularly in footwear and basics that affect technique.
Ill-fitting ballet shoes change how a dancer stands. The wrong leotard can restrict movement or distract focus in class. These are not small details. Getting the basics right from the beginning saves time, money and frustration later.
Browse our full range of ballet dancewear to find correctly fitted leotards, tights, ballet shoes and accessories suited to every level from first class through to pre-professional training.
