Amy Harris: Her magical career

I felt good until I announced it and then I was completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love I received. The tears started to flow reading everyone’s messages, but honestly, I feel good. It’s been quite a long thought-out process.

I first started dancing in my hometown of Ararat when I was three and a half years old. I started with a bit of everything - jazz, tap and ballet. I wouldn’t say it was an instant love for me, but I do remember around the age of 10 I really started to fall more in love with ballet, and from there my love for it has continuously grown.

This is kind of like asking if I have a favourite child!! Which I don’t. I love both of my babies equally, and always will.

I feel fortunate that my career has been filled with all different genres of dance. I think initially, I was typecast as a certain type of dancer, which dictated what I did and what roles I played, but as my career went on, I got to do it all and I have loved that!

I’ve danced incredible works like In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, Artifact Suite, Infra and Chroma where my physical abilities were tested and made me move in ways I didn't know I could at first. I have danced roles like Aurora and Lilac Fairy, Hanna from the Merry Widow, Romola from Nijinsky and Anna from Anna Karenina. I’ve also done many character roles too. So, it’s been a bit of everything and I’m truly grateful for that.

My colleagues, past and present. I’ve never been short of inspiration during my time at The Australian Ballet. Even now in my last month in the company I find so much inspiration just watching my colleagues during daily ballet class. I’ve always been an observer, never really one to miss a beat (there’s good and bad with that of course!) but I feel like it has allowed me to become the artist I am today. Soaking it all up!

Speaking from personal experience as a country kid, I feel that dance has become more easily accessible and is reaching a broader audience than before.

The people! I love the energy dancers have and create. My colleagues are the reason I have gone into work each and every day for the past 22 years. The banter we all share, the laughs, the antics we get up to before (and sometimes during) class, in the dressing rooms and backstage. It’s the absolute best, and what most people who have left the company say they miss the most.

The daily fight. While I am leaving very happy and fulfilled and I can look back and be proud of everything I've achieved and all the challenges I've overcome, the journey hasn't always been easy. I have always been very good at keeping a smile on my face and remaining the lighthearted company member, even when I was filled with disappointment and my heart was breaking. For the majority of my career, it’s been far more of a mental battle than it ever was a physical one.

Go gentle and be kind on yourself, be open to all of the information and opportunities because you can be so pleasantly surprised. If you feel it, go for it! Experiment, be free, dance and be in the moment, soak it all up because it goes fast, don’t take yourself too seriously, point your toes, smile and have fun!

I’m going to take a moment. I am utterly exhausted! But I also have two beautiful little humans that can’t wait for their Mummy to be home, dropping them off and picking them up from school and tucking them in at night. How lucky am I? I’m going to try and take on the advice I gave above and go gently on myself. Take the slower lane for a little while. It’s been a huge decision. Ballet has been such an important part of my life for so long and I very much want ballet to be a part of my life in the future. But for now, I need to take a break and prioritise my young children before taking on something all-consuming again.