DREAMS really do come true for Mount Gambier ballerina Katarina Gajic who took a leap and set-off overseas yesterday to start her career as a professional dancer.
After numerous auditions in Europe, the 21-year-old MJ Dance talent secured the once in a lifetime opportunity to dance alongside 35 others in the Ballet of Moravian Theatre – Olomouc in the Czech Republic.
With over a decade of experience, Katarina is excited to start her dream job as a professional performer on the other side of the globe.
“This has been my dream since starting here at MJ a long time ago,” Katarina said.
“It feels crazy that it is coming true because I worked so hard.”
With a love and passion for performing and a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance, Katarina has prepared herself for the next stage of her career with the “medium sized” company.
“I am very excited to perform on stage but also excited to call myself a professional,” she said.
“As students we do a lot of on-stage performances but it will take it to a whole new level calling myself a professional.
“This is my passion, this is what I love to do and it is just amazing.”
Expected to be “non-stop” until end of season mid-next year, Katarina said her excitement had been shared by her relatives and MJ Dance family.
“You might get two days off or so if you are lucky,” she said.
“It will essentially be a full-time job, where you do not get many days off or anything like that so it is going to be difficult to jump into a new routine like that.”
Not sure what post-season life would look like, Katarina said it all depended on what happened on stage.
“If I get renewed I might stay over there or I might not get renewed and I might just come home,” she said.
“But either way I will be hoping to make it back to Mount Gambier at some stage.”
With her parents hoping to join her in Europe in December to see her perform, Katarina said the rare opportunity was a “bit of a change” from her regular lifestyle.
“Overall, I am not too worried about how long I will be there because I will be doing things over there all day everyday,” she said.
“The environment will be different though going from student to professional.”
Delving into ballet at 13, Katarina thanked the “family-like” studio for its support.
“MJ Dance is a bit like a giant family who support each other everyday,” she said.
“I have taught here for a while now and focus on dancers over 12.
“But it has been great to be able to come back here to the studio and give back to everyone who has supported my journey.
“Dancing is not a common occupation either so I think I am very lucky to have the opportunity to go out into the world and work alongside my passion.”
