Alumni Spotlight - Hana Nonaka Aillon

How old were you when you started dancing and what first drew you to ballet?
I was three years old when my mum saw a little girl walking down the street in a tutu and asked her mum, “Is that a Halloween costume?” She replied, “No, she just came from ballet class.” Mum thought maybe I would like that too and enrolled me the next week. At that age, I kept going because it was fun, ballet felt like a magical world filled with sparkly tutus, beautiful music, and the simple joy of movement. I never imagined it would become such an integral part of my life.

Where has your dance journey taken you since graduating from the Academy of Queensland Ballet?
Since graduating from the Academy of Queensland Ballet, I spent a year as a Jette Parker Young Artist [at Queensland Ballet] and was then fortunate to be offered a contract as a company member with The Norwegian National Ballet in Oslo, Norway.

 

What does a typical day at The Norwegian National Ballet look like?
It’s actually a little difficult to define a “typical” day because our repertoire is so diverse. Our schedules shift depending on the productions we’re performing or preparing, and often we’re rehearsing multiple works at once. We usually begin with company class from 9.30 – 10.45 am, followed by a short break and then rehearsals from 11 am – 5 pm with a lunch break in between. The length and intensity of rehearsals vary, so I often fit in physio, Pilates, gym sessions, or supplementary training alongside the rehearsal day.

What is the culture and lifestyle like?
Having never lived away from home, moving across the world at 19, not knowing what the future held, but trusting my instinct that this was the right next step, was quite the experience (I couldn’t have picked a further place or I would have hit the North Pole!). Thankfully, I was really lucky to have a smooth transition into the company here and Norwegian society in general. Personally, I didn’t feel a huge culture shock since most Norwegians speak English really well and are very kind and willing to help where they can. Norwegians can have the stereotype of being more introverted but once you get to know them, they can be some of the most loyal and kind people. I feel incredibly lucky to have made some really special connections already in my time here. It's also really special in the company since there are many international dancers so I have made many friends from all over the world.  

What did take getting used to was the weather, the polar opposite of Australia. The day I arrived in Oslo it was –24°C! I remember checking the forecast before boarding my flight and not even being able to comprehend what that temperature would feel like. I had never seen snow before and grew up in the Queensland sunshine, which feels like a fantasy land in comparison. But now I genuinely appreciate each season, because each one teaches you to value that moment for what it offers.

Any challenges you weren’t expecting?
Being a professional dancer is being okay with navigating uncertainty. It was an uncomfortable truth that I am still learning how to hold with grace and kindness. There is no ‘right’ way to do this career and as wonderful and fulfilling as it can be, it also asks you to be brave enough to forge your own path and listen to what feels honest and true for you. There are so many factors that we cannot control as artists: Timing, casting, injuries, contracts, opportunities, the list goes on, but for me, a really critical skill to develop was discernment. Understanding what and who deserves your time and energy and what you can gently let go of has helped me stay grounded through both the challenging moments and the beautiful ones.