May 2018

I’ve met a lot of dancers over the last few years, and I’m constantly impressed by the variety of creative pursuits that accompany their love of ballet. In Pia’s case, she balances dance classes with a full time job and “side hustle” Utopia Dancewear, based out of Perth, Western Australia. Her shop is one of the most unique dancewear shops on Etsy. Not only does she sew handmade ballet skirts, she also creates clever (and hilarious) T-shirts, beautiful knitwear, and accessories made from hand-painted fabric designs.

I first took notice of Pia’s Utopia products on Instagram and eventually stumbled upon her personal account @broadwaytoballet. There, she frequently shares funny and provocative quotes from her ballet teachers (see #shitmyballetteachersays.) Her sense of humor, love of Broadway musicals, occasional reference to Strictly Ballroom, and general attitude toward ballet keeps me looking forward to each post she makes.

Pia’s goal for 2018 is also something that resonates with me. She states, “Of course I’d love better turns, higher jumps and amazing turnout but ultimately I just want to have fun.”

For those of us who tend to take ballet too seriously, it’s good to be reminded that a playful and lighthearted approach can ultimately benefit us more–especially as adults who are, after all, dancing for fun. Just as Pia injects both beauty and humor into her Utopia creations, we can learn to approach dance with both effort and ease.

“There are going to be days when you can’t pick up the exercises…” Pia says. “Just keep going! It will be better to tendu somewhere with a smile on your face than standing and watching other people dance…”

Better to tendu somewhere. She should put that on a T-shirt!

 

 

Q & A with Pia

Q. Tell me a little about your background. Where are you from? How old are you? When and where did you begin your dance training?

My name is Pia but you might know me as broadwaytoballet on Instagram. I’m 33 years old and I was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted by an Australian couple at four months old. I live in Perth, Western Australia.

I first dabbled with dance in a “ballet”/creative movement class when I was about three years old. Despite loving the class, at the end of year concert I refused to dance (instead taking my headband off numerous times while my cousin picked it up and put it back on my head – I must’ve thought it was a game) and then cried when I had to leave the stage.

I didn’t start formal training until I was six or seven. I was cast as an understudy in a professional touring production of The King and I. During the audition, I made a friend who was a wonderful acrobat. She was doing backflips down the hallway and I wanted to be just like her. I started jazz, tap, ballet, acrobats and musical theatre classes shortly after the show closed.

Q. What first drew you to ballet in particular? What do you still love about it?

I have never been a bunhead. Musical theatre and Broadway jazz were always my preferred styles while ballet was compulsory at the studios I attended. Fortunately I had some wonderful teachers who (despite my lack of enthusiasm) gave me a great foundation for ballet.

In my late 20s after trying other forms of exercise, I tried to return to dance but was finding that jazz classes were too taxing on my body. I was initially too scared to enroll when West Australian Ballet launched adult classes so started with their pilates classes and a term later, I mustered up the courage and enrolled in the intermediate class. Five years later and I’m taking 3 – 6 classes a week!

Aside from the physical benefits and creative release, adult ballet classes have connected me with a wonderful community. I have a fabulous group of friends who I’ve made through ballet. Sometimes there are days when I don’t really feel like dancing but knowing that I’ll see my friends in class gives me that little nudge to get to class.

Q. How do you prepare for ballet class? Any strange habits or rituals?

Until very recently, I would fly into class just on time or moments after class has started. 2018 with my “new year, new me” attitude, I’ve been arriving early so I can use my foam roller and get warmed up. Even though I know I’ll get sweaty, I always shower before class.

Q. You run a small business, Utopia Dancewear. Would you tell us a little about the work you do and what inspired you to design and sell dancewear?

I work in Research Administration at a university as my day job and have had a ‘side hustle’ for about 6 years. I started my first handmade business (Utopia Handmade) with my Mum sewing retro aprons, pinafores and kids clothing.

The dancewear thing came about very organically. It started out of necessity as I couldn’t find a ballet skirt that had sufficient wrap so I made a few for myself. I ended up with excess fabric so made some more and created an Etsy store. Shortly after I released a t-shirt line and recently launched a range of knitwear, and some ballet inspired purses and makeup bags. Everything I’m designing and creating has come out of an inability to find something I’d like to own.

Q. Do you have a favorite Utopia piece? (My personal favorite is the “Slow Death by Penché” T-shirt.)

“Slow Death by Penché” has a special place in my heart. It’s something one of my teachers has said numerous times. “Barre Wars – Return of the Jeté” is probably my favourite though.

Q. I’m curious to hear what you have to say about marketing your dancewear. How has Instagram impacted your business?

My first customer was someone from the U.S. who I follow on Instagram. Many of my customers are members of the #adultballetcommunity online and people I’ve chatted with on Instagram – so Instagram has definitely played a huge part of Utopia Dancewear’s success.

When I was thinking of starting a dancewear brand, I actually crowdsourced on Instagram and the responses were positive. I don’t think I would’ve started this business had it not been for the late night conversations with our online community.

Q. I can’t mention Instagram without discussing the #shitmyballetteachersays series on your account. What made you start posting these hilarious–and sometimes surprisingly thought-provoking–quotes? And does your teacher know about it?

I have about 6 or 7 teachers. Most of them know about it and quite a few of them follow me on Instagram.

In the early days, my ballet friends and I had a Google doc that we would contribute to after class – we have made one particular teacher a set of magnets, a tshirt and a poster with different #shitmyballetteachersays quotes.

Q. Do you have a favorite ballet or company to watch?

I’ve only ever seen The Royal Ballet on DVD but I’d love to see them live! I also really enjoy The Australian Ballet who I’ll be seeing perform Giselle later this year in Melbourne with my ballet friends.

Q. Studying ballet as an adult can be frustrating. Do you have any advice to give to adults who would like to begin or re-begin ballet?

This is something that one of my teachers (a regular to my #shitmyballetteachersays series on Instagram) said to us recently “I think some of you give up too easily when something goes wrong. Find a way to keep going.” There are going to be days when you can’t pick up the exercises or when your ability to find your balance disappears, I’ve watched company classes and it happens to the best of them… just keep going! It will be better to tendu somewhere with a smile on your face than standing and watching other people dance, or beating yourself up.

Q. Finally, what are your aspirations for your dance training, your business, and for life in general?

My 2018 goal for ballet was to have fun. Of course I’d love better turns, higher jumps and amazing turnout but ultimately I just want to have fun.

BONUS QUESTION! Since you’re from Australia, I have to ask–did you watch Dance Academy?

YES! I binged it from start to end in an embarrassingly short time and then rewatched it after the movie came out. Abigail is my favourite character (oh the sass!) but sweet Sammy will always have a soft spot in my heart.

Find Pia on Instagram @broadwaytoballet and @utopiadancewear or on Etsy.