Yuan Yuan Tan

I have learned to be patient.

I can be very hard on myself, very demanding.

I remember watching Audrey Hepburn dancing in movies, and I was inspired by how graceful she looked, though I understand it was no easy task.

I love to watch old movies when I get time off.

I love wine tasting in Napa. I don't have a huge collection, but the bottles I do have are special.

I think Hong Kong's ballet audience is very sophisticated in the sense that they are able to find the beauty in good performances.

I think ballet has influenced my personality a lot in the sense that I am very disciplined in all of my endeavours. I am always on time; I take things very seriously. I've built up my inner strength and self-esteem over time as I've improved as a dancer.

My Chinese side comes out in my dancing. There's a certain in-the-moment sentimentality, an appreciation for the smallest details.

I just don't do much social media. No, it is more important to strike a balance between ballet and real life.

If Shanghai wants to be an international cultural center, they have to do something about that. The reason I left is that I wanted to explore what ballet is all about, and if I had stayed put, that wouldn't have happened.

For me, dance is about the aesthetics and the hard work that goes into creating something so beautiful. Motivation and dedication to the craft is what pushes me to do my best, to always strive to do better, and the outcome is always worth it.