Lili Bank, student of the Hungarian Dance University, danced in several roles before Christmas in the Nutcracker cross section. This interview was made after one of the performances, and it is clear that the last year is definitely not uneventful for the class, but also that Lili’s love of dance overcomes all difficulties.
Earlier, the two masters of the year, Katalin Volf and Sándor Túri, also spoke about the eventful last year of the graduating ballet class, which is true. Especially for Lili Bank, who, in addition to her academic duties, will also be performing in the performance of “Lady’s Response” at the Játékszín (Theatre of Play), directed by her father Tamás Bank. Apart from this, a number of issues was discussed during the conversation in the Spanish costume of Nutcracker.
“Should we speak Spanish or Hungarian?”
“English, please.”
„I am asking because you’ve just come from the Nutcracker, all dressed up. How busy is this period for you?”
Photos by Tamás Schild
„I can’t deny it’s a lot during the Nutcracker, but it was before and it will be later. It’s a busy time, but luckily there are lighter days. However, we enjoy that there is always something happening.”
“Do you have time for anything else?”
“Yes, but from January it will be more difficult because we will start preparing for the exam concert. This is the school year: in the autumn the focus was on the Budapest Ballet Grand Prix, then the Nutcracker, and then the exam concert.”
“How do you feel in your last months at the Hungarian Dance University with one foot outside but with one foot still inside?”
“Scary, very scary, because now I realize that it’s time to grow up and find a place for myself for the future. More specifically, to decide what I want to do. Of course, it’s also great to have spent so much time here, working and struggling all these years, with lots and lots of work. So it’s exciting, but it’s scary at the same time.”
“I assume that you had time to get used to the atmosphere of the university because you have spent all of your school years here.”
“Yes, I came here when I was nine, so I’ve been here for nine years now.”
“And what was it like? What was good, what was hard and what was bad?”
“Actually, the best part was that we did it all together with my classmates. With my friends, which made the weekdays a lot more exciting. It was hard because you had to give hundred percent every day, obviously you can’t always do that. We were tired most of the time, but we held on and persisted, and I think we made the most of it.”
“And is it all more physically or mentally demanding?”
“Both physically and mentally. I think some people find it easier physically, but some people find it easier mentally to cope with all the work and practice. Basically, you have to be strong in all areas, but if you are persistent, it’s worth it.”
“Where do you see your career continuing? As a graduating ballet dancer, where do you want to go, where can you go?”
“I would definitely like to work for a company, which I hope is a possibility. Obviously you have to send around videos and CVs. We’ll see where these opportunities are, but I’m confident there will be some.”
“If you had to recommend someone why they should become a ballet artist, a dance artist, what would you say to them for sure?”
The graduating classical ballet class of Hungarian Dance University
“That it is a truly beautiful profession. Art, not a profession. You have to struggle a lot, but it’s worth it, because you get dignity, discipline and strength that I think you can use in all areas of life. For me, it is the most beautiful profession that can be pursued!”
