If you’ve ever searched “how to get a higher extension,” “how to break in pointe shoes,” or any other ballet-related question on YouTube, chances are you’ve come across a video by the incomparable Claudia Dean. Claudia Dean is undeniably a household name in the realm of online dance content. From private coaching to luxury dancewear to viral video tutorials, there seems to be nothing that the founder of Claudia Dean World can’t tackle. Claudia Dean World strives to “welcome dancers at any stage of their journey” and foster a positive community through global connection. But how exactly did the former Royal Ballet company member get here?
Claudia began dancing at age four because her best friend wanted her to join her class. She decided to stick with it and continue her training, eventually getting accepted into the Australian Ballet School’s Intra/Interstate & International Training Programme (ITP). After getting accepted into such a rigorous program, it occurred to Claudia that she might have a shot at making a career for herself in classical ballet. She continued dancing at her local studio, but around 14-15 years old she started training full-time on the Gold Coast of Australia, about two hours away from her home in Brisbane. “I was actually living away from home, which is a really good experience,” Claudia explains, as she learned how to cook, do laundry, and more all by herself at a young age.
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