Welcoming Olivia Lee

Introducing our new dancers! Congratulations to each artist joining the brand new Ballet 5:8 Second Company for the 2020/21 Season.

Olivia Lee, Second Company Artist

Q. Where will you be coming to Ballet 5:8 from?

A. I will be coming to Ballet 5:8 from my home city of Portland, Oregon, where I dance at The Portland Ballet in their pre-professional Career Track program.

Q. What attracted you to Ballet 5:8?

A. What attracted me to Ballet 5:8 was the atmosphere of community among the dancers and the strength of their purpose. 

Q. Why do you dance?

A. I dance because I can't not dance. I dance without meaning to, because it feels good, because some music demands a reply. I dance to feel things and make an audience feel things. I am not nothing without ballet, but I can reach so many more people because of it. 

Q. What is something you enjoy about Chicago or think you'll enjoy about Chicago?

A. I'm excited to live in Chicago because it's so much closer to my east coast family and friends!! 

Q. What is one thing people will be surprised to learn about you?

A. I've only seen two professional ballets live! Oregon Ballet Theater's Swan Lake when I was four which is what made me get into ballet, and Ballet West's Giselle last year.

Q. What are you most looking forward to about the coming performance season?

A. Just to dance again!! I miss it so much.