Isabella McGuire Mayes on Ballet, Artistry and Why It's Never Too Late to Dance.
When it comes to ballet credentials, few can match Isabella McGuire Mayes. As the first British student to graduate from the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy at the top of her class, Isabella went on to dance professionally in Russia before building Ballet With Isabella, a global coaching platform serving dancers of all ages and levels.
Known for her inspiring teaching style and her belief that ballet belongs to everyone - not just professionals - Isabella has helped thousands of dancers around the world pursue their goals with confidence and joy.
We sat down with Isabella for a rapid-fire Q&A covering everything from elite training and artistry to adult ballet, confidence in the studio and the dancewear she reaches for every day.
On Ballet Training
BODILE: What separates good dancers from exceptional dancers?
ISABELLA: Exceptional dancers have an insatiable appetite for growth both in and out of the studio. They also realise the importance of understanding what they are dancing and why. Not just a bunch of steps, but intention and storytelling behind everything they do.
BODILE: How important is consistency compared with natural talent?
ISABELLA: Of course, having natural talent is important but without consistency and hard work it will never matter how talented you are. I would also add, an intelligent approach to your work is very key in a dancer.
BODILE: What qualities do teachers notice beyond technique?
ISABELLA: They notice that special something, that soul, star quality, the way you hear music and the way you use it. The ability to listen, apply straight away and retain information without things being repeated again and again.
BODILE: How do dancers stay motivated when progress feels slow?
ISABELLA: I think it’s important to not only think about goals day to day but remember why you’re doing this in the bigger picture. What’s the broader purpose? What’s the unselfish reason? We don’t start ballet so we can do 20 turns. We start it because we feel something when we dance, and one day we want to make others feel something too.
When we make things less about us and more about what we will do for others, what our art will do, in my opinion it gives one a bigger purpose, that you can hold onto. Always go back to WHY you are doing it.
Isabella wears Valentina leotard in Prussian Blue | Ash
On Artistry and Confidence
BODILE: What separates a technically strong dancer from a truly captivating dancer?
ISABELLA: It’s hard to describe but they can move an arm, turn their head and you feel something. They don‘t need to do tricks for us to be captivated. They carry such detailed intention, depth, story and intelligence to every step. You aren’t just impressed; you’re changed by their performances.
BODILE: Can Artistry be taught, or is it something dancers are born with?
ISABELLA: It absolutely can. In school we are taught that use of the head, arms and upper body are all part of the coordination of your movements. They are not a separate thing. When you use your style well, your technique becomes freer and easier to use. What you can’t teach is that special something, that deep soul within a dancer. What you can do, is learn to bring out that soul in a beautiful way. When someone has that… well, a star is born!
BODILE: What advice would you give dancers who feel self-conscious in class?
ISABELLA: From the mental side, I would say to always remember, most people are focused on themselves, and nobody cares about what you think about yourself as much as you. Give yourself some grace, and trust you are progressing, one step at a time. From the physical side, if you have the chance to wear what you want, wear items which make you feel amazing. That’s one of the reasons you will nearly always catch me in Bodile. I feel elegant, sophisticated, fashionable, beautiful and in turn, confident to do what I know I do best. Clothes and apparel matter! Make class an occasion to feel amazing. If you feel confident, guess what! You will dance confident and have a better class.
BODILE: What is one thing dancers can do immediately to look more expressive and confident?
ISABELLA: Use of the head and épaulement is a big way we can immediately look more confident and expressive.
Whenever you move your arms, allow your chin to follow. When you finish a diagonal of turns, lift your chin to say “ Look what I just did” Whenever you allongé, lift your chin, it’s a learned, stylised acknowledgment you are about to transition into another movement or finish something. It’s a conversation. Tell a story always.
On Adult Ballet
BODILE: Adult ballet is growing rapidly around the world. Why do you think so many women return to ballet later in life?
ISABELLA: First of all – I know and isn’t it great! I think the adults we seem to attract at ISABELLA particularly are those who want to learn in a very detailed, effective and pro way while being seen as the people they are now.
Yes, we are having fun, but we want to get better at this! We want to understand what it’s like to do these steps we see in our favourite ballets. That amazing feeling of progressing at something so difficult.
The adults who come to me have accomplished so much in life, often they are very successful in what they have done and worked hard for where they are in life. An exercise class isn’t quite going to cut it for them. They want to give their full focus to this beautiful, amazing, and extremely difficult art form. I am here for it! For those that are starting again from a childhood dream, it’s wonderful to see. It’s really beautiful watching someone realise they can be nurtured, and feel safe enough to approach this thing they once loved again.
BODILE: You've become known for taking adult dancers seriously. Why is that important to you?
ISABELLA: Because it goes far beyond teaching steps for me. Everyone has a story, why they are here today, why they started or restarted ballet. I know they want to get really good at this, I know they love it, or else they wouldn’t be in my studio. I see it as a huge honour to have them in my studio and I truly am passionate about treating everyone as an individual, bringing out not just their potential in their ballet but the confidence and belief in themselves. So they know as well as I, they can do anything they set their mind to. Watching it unfold is amazing for me.
BODILE: What do many teachers misunderstand about adult ballet dancers?
ISABELLA: To put it bluntly, a lot of teachers give a good class. Not a lot actually teach class. A lot of teachers think 'well if you won’t go pro or that’s not your goal then what’s the point in helping adults?'. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
If a dancer wants to get really good at this, and enjoy its beauty to their best potential then I see It as my duty to get them there. I adore helping people, I really feel it’s my calling, so for me, I can’t not be on their side. Seeing what you can do for others is the most rewarding thing I’ve done.
BODILE: Have adult dancers changed your perspective on what ballet can be and what do you love about teaching adults?
ISABELLA: I don’t think they have changed my perspective, but they have helped me shape the ballet world and its training in the direction I knew it could always be. They have helped me create a space I wanted when I was growing up. They have helped it become a reality, I hope to grow more and more .
These adults have lives and full time jobs, but they come to my online platform, in person retreats and intensives to get the pro training and detail they desire for this thing they love. They are amazing.
On life beyond the stage
BODILE: Ballet has shaped your life in extraordinary ways. What does ballet mean to you today?
ISABELLA: Wow, what a question! Ballet means to me, a space without compromise, a space for people to step into what’s possible for them both physically and mentally, in and out of the studio. I don’t think it ends for me when you leave the studio. The work ethic, support, fun, drive, and confidence you feel in the studio can be taken in all aspects of life. Ballet is so beautiful, and the support to get you where you want to can be as well. They don’t need to be mutually exclusive.
BODILE: Looking back, what are you most grateful ballet has taught you?
ISABELLA: It taught me truly that I can set my mind to anything and make it happen. It taught me what hard work is but it also taught me how important the support around you is. We all need that as people, not just dancers.
BODILE: What are you most excited about in this current chapter of your career?
ISABELLA: As I have just relaunched my brand as ISABELLA - We are so excited for the endless possibilities. There are so many things I want to achieve. ISABELLA is a movement, a community and a way of life. I can’t wait to dive into this more and more as we grow. Watch this space!
Isabella wears Olivia leotard in Twilight | Chocolate
In Isabella’s Studio Wardrobe
BODILE: What are the qualities you look for most in a leotard?
ISABELLA: I am someone whose mood is heavily affected by outside factors. It’s raining, I’ll be a bit down. A leotard doesn’t feel good or beautiful, I won’t feel like a swan queen in class.
I look for comfort, I don’t want to be thinking about it when I’m dancing, but I want it to present me beautifully. I want to feel as though when I do these combinations, I am embodying certain personas or characters.
BODILE: How important is feeling beautiful and confident in what you wear to class?
ISABELLA: Extremely important. I need to feel beautiful to dance beautifully and with confidence. From my shoes down to my hair, if anything is a mess, I will dance messy, I’m convinced. I behave differently if I see the details in all I do and that goes for how I dress for class too.
BODILE: What makes a piece of dancewear become a favourite that you reach for again and again?
ISABELLA: Aside from accidentally doing 5 turns on pointe in a leotard which makes me wear it again and again to hopefully get a repeat of that, I’d say it goes back to the beauty again, it accentuates my lines, my neck and makes me feel gorgeous.
BODILE: Do you have any studio wardrobe essentials you couldn't live without?
ISABELLA: At the start of class, I will always be in a nice baggy t- shirt, trousers, leg warmers. I like to get really warm and toasty. Exercise by exercise I will take these off, so by the centre I am so warm and ready to see my body and my gorgeous leotard in full.
BODILE: What drew you to BODILE?
ISABELLA: I have always found leotards almost too plain or too girly. Bodile embodies how I actually like to dress in daily life so it’s an easy transition for me. From life to the studio. It’s adult, sophisticated, feminine and classy. I just love it and I still wear Bodile every time I do class. The quality is exceptional, and nothing has beaten it for me.
BODILE: Which pieces are currently on high rotation in your teaching and training
ISABELLA: Hard choice. My faves are Olivia, Valentina and Zarina. I am obsessed with Zarina!
Isabella wears Zarina leotard in Obsidian | Ash.
Learn more about Isabella McGuire Mayes
https://balletwithisabella.com/
@balletwithisabella
