Student Spotlight: Meet Chloe Colter

Meet Chloe Colter, 16, she trains privately with Olga Pavlova in Texas, but she lives in Colorado.

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

I have kind of taken a full loop with my training! I was born and grew up in Texas, so I started at age 7 at The Dallas Conservatory. A couple of years later I began training privately with Olga Pavlova through TDC and continued that until I was 13. The summer I turned 13 my family moved to Colorado, so I trained for a year at Classical Ballet Academy in Denver, but the next year after attending the Ellison Ballet summer intensive decided to go there to train. I completed two years at Ellison Ballet, and will now go back to train with Olga in Texas!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?

In terms of just ballet, I would say that everyone has difficulties with technique etc.. Mentally and physically it is a challenge, but that is what makes it such an interesting career path because you are always reaching for more! In terms of what goes along with ballet, I am fortunate to have such a supportive family and am given the chance to pursue my goals. Not everyone has this, and I think those who succeed without it are truly inspirations!

What personal limitations if any did you go through in your young career?

In my young career, I would say the hardest thing for me would be battling my length! I am tall, and so continuous growth throughout my beginning years of ballet made technique especially difficult, specifically jumps and turns. It’s hard to see those around you able to do those things when you can’t, so I tended to go into my shell whenever the time came to do grand allegro and more advanced turns. Throughout my years of training, I have been able to balance out and gain control of my limbs, so I no longer feel wary about these important parts of the ballet technique!

Has anybody ever tried to limit you on what you could do? If so how did you fight it?

I am lucky to say I have been surrounded by many supportive, amazing people throughout my life so far. I do realize that it probably won’t always be that way, however, and urge anyone who feels they are being limited by someone to try your best to get away and find people who you feel will push you to be your best, and happiest self!

How do you conquer negative talk?

Negative talk in ballet is probably one of the most prominent things in our day and age. The minute you let negative talk get into your mind, you start believing it. The mind controls the body, so the only way to succeed is to have your goal and dreams in the front, and let negative talk go through one ear and out the other.

What is your favorite quote?

“Reach high, for the stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream, precedes the goal” - Pamela Vaull Starr

So, what’s next? Any big plans?

Training and performing are my main plans for this coming year, but my ultimate goal is to one day have the honor to join the Mariinsky or Bolshoi!