Women in sport: Charlotte Faillard

French-born Charlotte Faillard has many strings to her bow, most prominently though she is a professional dancer and entrepreneur. Charlotte is passionate, inspirational and loves passing on her knowledge and sharing with others. We were lucky enough to speak to this modern-day renaissance woman to really get to know her, what inspires her, and what the future holds.

What made you want to start dancing and how old were you?

I was almost 11 when I started to dance. My older sister was already a dancer. Jazz was her thing and she was very talented at it! My parents didn't want me to dance as they wanted her to be alone in that journey. But I started secretly to dance in my room. My room was overlooking a ballet school window, so every time I came back from school I would put on my gymnastic leotard and the pointe shoes my sister gave me and imitate the dancers downstairs. One day, I went by myself to the dance school and ask to enroll in the class. A couple of weeks later I finally told my parents that I had been officially admitted to the dance school.

Do you think there isn’t enough light shed on female dancers in the media?

Unfortunately, I think we don't hear enough about the dance world in the media. To be honest, I feel like we dancers are missing communication. It is true we are part of a quiet elite system and yet we are right in the middle of art and sport. So much to share! I would love to read more often about all dancers, all types, all styles and all backgrounds to start with. 

Which other women inspire you?

As Dancers? Without any doubts: Sylvie Guillem, a french Etoile of the Opera de Paris but also the utmost "dancer out of the box" I know. She has inspired me since I was a kid, as she has always pursued her dream fearlessly and lived the life she wanted: to be free!

Eleonora Abbagnato, Etoile at the Opéra de Paris, she fascinates me in her own way. She knows how to balance her life between dance, her own family and a school and a company she directs in another country.

Many other dancers inspire me but those two ones are really special to me. 

The writer and searcher Brené Brown is also a great source of inspiration for me. She is so authentic and creative with her words and the ideas she brings to life.

I am fascinated by Michelle Obama's life and journey, and by Marylin Monroe, Frida Khalo and their divine femininity.

But above all, I have always been inspired by my grandmother. She passed away a few years ago. She was and remains the little sparkle I follow, especially when I feel lost. 

What has been your career highlight to date?

I was lucky enough to dance one of the Juliet's parts in "Romeo and Juliet" by Mauro Bigonzetti, and I have loved to dance "Minus 7" by Ohad Naharin.

But I'll have to say, I feel so lucky to have danced so many other roles and pieces by Mauro and other choreographers. I’ve danced in beautiful theatres all around this planet. I am deeply grateful for this part of a career.

What kind of pressures do you face as a dancer?

And now you are opening a whole new chapter! Pressure is actually how most of my generation and the ones before have experienced dancing at a high level. Being a dancer means being under pressure 24/7. When you dance, as well as when you don't. You have to be very careful about what you do, what you eat, how long you sleep and all the preparation and recuperation for it.

Your body is an awesome machine, but also a very fragile one. You have to take care and listen to it constantly if you want to be at your full potential, which is the only way you can dance! Dancing for five minutes is like running a marathon. Your muscles, your breath... you need to monitor everything... on top of your graciousness and being in the role of course!

On top of that you add the pressure of the choreographer, the other dancers and the company. If you want the lead roles, you need to be... the best! Since the start of your professional dancing journey we are under physical, emotional and mental pressure. You have to be, look and feel perfection! It is as simple as that!

All of your body, your gesture and expression is criticized, so you know you need to be the best.

That's how much pressure... ! Quite intense, but with time and experience you manage to deal with it. I was truly lucky to have a loving and supporting family and this is truly important!

You have many strings to your bow, including modelling, Gyrotonic training and working as an artistic director - tell us a bit more about these other pursuits. Are these all passion projects?

I love this question, and yes all of these activities are my passions. I have found a balance by doing and being all of this in one. Today, it appears clearly to me that I cannot be who I am if I am not able to live as a multipotential person that I always have been.

I like to say that my body is a dancer, my mind is a creative entrepreneur and my soul is a teacher and giver. And if you look closer to all the activities they represent all of these three parts.

I have learned so much by connecting myself with all my capacities, and I still do. I can say that nowadays I feel right at my place, where I belong, and it feels so good and right!

What advice would you give young girls looking to become dancers?

This is what I love to tell the young dancers I have the chance to work with: Be yourself and make your dreams happen! Now is actually the right timing!

It is always a privilege to work with the younger generation, I always feel like I am on a mission. I have to pass on the most precious knowledge I had been given, and the love for dance, art and life. I feel it is such a huge responsability, and an honor!

What’s next for you?

Ou lala... as we say in French! I have so many projects in store! One of them is to train my young dancers to enter dance competitions as I think this is a very good way to get a glimpse of the "real world". But I also hope that very soon we will be able to resume our international dance residence as I enjoy so much seeing young dancers from around the world mixing up, sharing their love for dance, trying new techniques and living their dreams. I love showing them around and teaching them with a hint of french... as French is the international language for Dance! And of course I am looking forward to sharing all that in the media, and social media. I am all about sharing and transmission... So, now is the time!

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Follow Charlotte’s journey at @frenchballerina on Instagram!