Hayley Stobo interview in the Mail on Sunday

Wednesday, 10 April 2013

As Hayley Stobo prepares for her final exams at the Bolshoi Ballet, Marc Horne from the Mail on Sunday caught up with Hayley to look back at her time at the world’s most prestigious ballet academy.

Hayley reflects:

“I honestly can’t believe that I’ve got two weeks left to go and that’s it. It’s the craziest feeling in the world. I’m not saying that it wasn’t hard, but now – with the end in sight – I can honestly say that every single day has been worth it.”

In the interview Hayley talks about her plans to travel the world once she graduates, with the aim of dancing in as many countries as possible. She also has ambitions to try out other dance styles and wouldn’t rule out performing on the West End stage:

“I’d really love to do contemporary, but I also love jazz and tap. You never know. You might see me in A Chorus Line one day.”

Hayley is no stranger to other styles of dance, and in her latest blog entry, she talks about incorporating an Irish tap piece into her final Character exam on April 10. This particular exam is one Hayley feels most at home with, as she can really show off the fun upbeat side of her personality.

“I love this class because I feel I can really show my performance side and also my versatility within dance! I took it upon myself to show Bolshoi something that had never been done in past graduating exams, and decided to get my tap shoes from the back of my cupboard. Alongside one of my fellow students ‘Alessandro Caggegi’, we choreographed an Irish tap piece to be included as a solo in my exam.”

Both Hayley and Natalie are taking their final ballet exams this week and the Genesis Foundation wish both girls every success.