Isabella McGuire Mayes, 17, is the first British dancer at the Vaganova academy, the school of Russia's prestigious Mariinsky (formerly Kirov) Ballet. She is now appearing in Swan Lake at the Coliseum, London.
Q: How did you feel about being chosen to study at the Vaganova?
A: I was overwhelmed. It was what I'd always wanted to do.
Q: Was it hard leaving your family and friends behind?
A: It was difficult at the start, but once I settled there it was fine.
Q: What do you miss most?
A: London and my cat.
Q: How is your Russian?
A: It's OK. Sometimes I stay with Russian families at the weekends, which offers good practice.
Q: Do you feel you are missing out on normal teenage life?
A: I've done this all my life so I don't know any other way of being.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: Training is quite tiring so I relax with people in my dormitory, or sometimes we go to a restaurant on Saturday night.
• This article was amended on 16 July 2010. The original referred to the Varanova academy of the Kirov Ballet. This has been corrected.
