Professional dancer Jacinta Seivers has performed on stages across the globe, built a career across commercial, contemporary and acrobatic work, and still finds time to share honest, practical advice with the next generation. We sat down with Jacinta to talk 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 concert work. That range is rare, and it did not happen by accident.
"You have to train your mind as much as your body," she says. "The dancer who books the job is not always the most technically gifted in the room. It is the one who is prepared, professional, and easy to work with."
Her early training covered classical ballet, jazz, acrobatics and contemporary. She credits that broad foundation for giving her the physical vocabulary to take on varied professional contracts. If you are guiding a young dancer, check out our guidance on preparing for a first ballet class, which covers what to expect and what to pack from day one.
Training Habits That Actually Stuck
Jacinta is straightforward about what has mattered most over her career. Consistency beats intensity. Showing up to class tired and doing the work is worth more than occasional brilliant sessions followed by long breaks.
- Warm up properly, every single time. Cold muscles in a jump or a split end careers.
- Cross-train. Pilates, swimming and strength work protect joints under repeated load.
- Sleep and nutrition are training. Treat them that way.
- Keep a dance journal. Note corrections, patterns, and what clicked in class today.
- Find teachers who correct you. Silence in a dance class is not kindness.
She also emphasises the importance of wearing the right gear in class. Fitted, correct clothing lets teachers see lines and correct placement accurately. Baggy clothes hide problems that compound over time. Browse our ballet dancewear range if you are setting up a young dancer or returning to training yourself.
The Audition Room: What Jacinta Has Learned
Jacinta has been on both sides of the audition process. She has stood in the line and she has assisted with casting. Her perspective is clear.
Presentation matters from the moment you walk through the door. Hair neat, clothing appropriate, shoes in good condition. Directors notice these things before a single step is taken. A dancer who arrives organised signals professionalism. One who arrives dishevelled signals chaos, regardless of talent.
She also points out that type-awareness matters in commercial work. Knowing what style suits your body, energy and strengths saves time and protects confidence. Chasing every job without self-awareness is exhausting and rarely effective.
For adult dancers returning to training before approaching audition preparation, our article on getting back into ballet as an adult in Australia covers what to expect, what to wear, and how to pace your return sensibly.
Advice for Dance Parents
Jacinta is warm but direct when she talks about the role parents play. Support matters enormously. Pressure damages.
The best dance parents, in her experience, ask their child how class felt rather than how class went. They trust teachers to correct technique. They focus on consistency over competition results, especially in the early years.
- Let the teacher teach. Avoid coaching in the car on the way home.
- Focus on enjoyment first, especially under twelve.
- Invest in good quality dancewear. Ill-fitting shoes and cheap fabrics affect technique and comfort.
- Celebrate effort and attendance, not just results.
For parents new to the dance world, our first ballet class checklist is a practical starting point that takes the guesswork out of getting ready.
Hair, Presentation and the Details That Count
Jacinta still has strong opinions about presentation in class and on stage. A neat bun is not just tradition. It keeps hair out of a dancer's face during turns, keeps the neck visible for teacher correction, and signals that the dancer is ready to work. Getting it right before exam season matters.
If the bun is a battle in your household, our step-by-step guide on creating an exam-ready ballet bun covers technique, products and tips for finer hair types.
What Jacinta Wishes She Had Known Sooner
Rest is productive. The dance industry rarely says this loudly enough. Recovery is where the body consolidates what it has learned. Pushing through injury to prove commitment is one of the most common ways talented dancers cut their careers short.
She also wishes someone had told her to enjoy each phase of training rather than rushing past it. The intermediate years before a dancer turns professional are full of important development. Treating them as a delay rather than a foundation is a mistake.
Jacinta's career is proof that technical skill, professionalism and adaptability compound over time. The dancers who last are the ones who train smart, look after their bodies, and stay genuinely curious about movement.
Ready to support a dancer in your life? Shop our full ballet range for quality dancewear suited to every level, from first class to professional.
