Since graduating from the Perm State Choreographic College in 2018 in Russia, G.Nyamtseren has been working as a ballet dancer at the Mongolian State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. Art connoisseurs took note of her when she skillfully danced the pas de deux of the “Flames of Paris” by Boris Asafyev, the waltz of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and the pas de trois of “The Nutcracker”. Most recently, she played the role of Kitri in the “Don Quixote” ballet by Ludwig Minkus.

Most artists have to practice classical arts from childhood. Therefore, in most cases, their parents led them to pursue classical arts. Who introduced you to ballet?

It is true that ballerinas train from a young age to become professional artists. I first joined a ballet studio at the age of six and a professional school at the age of seven. Of course, my parents introduced me to ballet. But now, I am grateful to my parents for making this decision and guiding me to this art.

Who taught you ballet? Where did you get your degree?

My first teachers who made me fall in love with the art of classical dance and laid the foundation for my profession and career were Kh.Gerelchimeg and Ch.Ganchimeg. In 2010, I enrolled in the Perm State Choreographic College in Russia under the guidance of teacher Nina Kostareva. After graduating in 2018, I passed the audition of the Mongolian State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

What was your first performance on stage?

I vividly remember the first time I performed on stage in Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” ballet while I was studying under the guidance of my teacher Kh.Gerelchimeg. But since I graduated and became a professional dancer, I have been playing the main and supporting roles in all ballets presented at my theater.

It is said that being a ballet dancer is difficult. Were you discouraged many times? How do you calm yourself down and overcome challenges when you’re feeling down?

Of course, I get discouraged sometimes. I get depressed when I don’t perform my role well or when I get injured. I try to uplift my mood as quickly as possible. When I feel down, I try to distract myself by taking a break from my dance practices and focusing on other things such as watching movies or hanging out with friends. After a while, I start to feel like I have the energy to correct my mistakes and push myself further.

The psychological and mental state probably affects dancers a lot. How do you prepare yourself to go on stage when you’re not feeling well?

The mental state is essential. It’s hard to dance when you’re not feeling well. I get depressed when I can’t dance the way I want. But I need to get over it and go back on stage with a smile. Most importantly, it is necessary to dance better than before. That’s why I try to calm myself down and prepare myself mentally before going on stage and then, I energetically show the audience everything I prepared and intended to show.

When did you first realize the beauty of being a dancer? What do you feel when you dance?

Rather than dancing and experiencing myself, as a student, I watched great ballet dancers perform in theaters and wanted to be as graceful as them. I think I fell in love with dance from that moment. At first, I was very nervous when I went on stage in front of many people. But this art, which I love so much, aims to give the audience aesthetic pleasure and create a sense of classical art, so when I am on stage, I try my best to put on the best performance. But when I’m dancing, I can’t think of anything else.

Soon, you will meet the audience with the dance drama “Nutcracker and Wonderland”, right?

Elite Ballet Company, in cooperation with Steppe Arena, is going to bring the media art dance “Nutcracker and Wonderland” to the Mongolian audience for the first time. In 2019, the company presented this piece, which has a large place in the repertoire of world classical art, to South Korean audiences under the direction of Ts.Tsolmonbud. Last year’s new edition, which was combined with media art, received high praise from the South Korean audience. I am very excited to be able to perform together with award-winning dancers of international ballet competitions and the best young artists and circus performers from both Mongolia and South Korea in this dance performance, which will be held between December 31 and January 2.

What role will you play? What makes your new role different from your previous roles?

I will play the main character, Clara. It is quite different from the roles I have played before. Magical worlds such as the land of mice, the land of snow and the land of wonder that appear in the dance drama are created using innovative solutions and the latest technology such as holograms, 3D screens and video effects. So, all of my movements need to be light. I’m trying hard to put on my best performance.

Young artists probably have many roles they want to play. Did you manage to dance the role you wanted? What other role would you like to play?

As a child, I watched the “Don Quixote” ballet by Ludwig Minkus a lot. Every time I watched it, I used to imagine myself on stage. But in order to fulfill this dream, I am trying to improve my skills.

Which of your characters on stage resembled you the most?

My face probably makes me look very unruly. But I’m quite calm and I don’t show my emotions a lot. I have yet to play a character with a similar personality as myself.

What international competitions have you represented your country in?

In 2019, I won a bronze medal in the first Russia, Japan and Eurasia ballet competition held in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, Russia and this year, I took first place in an international competition held in South Korea. I also participated in many local competitions. Moreover, in 2019, I performed together with my theater’s artists in the “Giselle” ballet by the Wise Ballet Theater of South Korea.

Ballerina is a profession that can only be done at a young age. What do you want to accomplish before you retire? Many ballet dancers become ballet masters or teachers when they get older. But what do you plan to do?

People may criticize me for saying this but I want to work harder and make Mongolian ballet art known on the world stage. I have not seriously thought about what to do after retirement. Although I don’t plan on doing anything in specific, I will try to teach younger dancers everything I have learned over the years.

Have you ever imagined yourself living away from the stage?

I never imagined it. I can’t live away from the stage. I don’t want to leave it because I get a lot of inspiration and motivation from being on stage and the applause of the audience.

It is said that art educates people. What good habits did classical art instill in you?

Not just ballet but learning some form of art from an early age helps you develop many good qualities and habits such as being able to efficiently communicate with others, expressing yourself, listening to others and behaving properly. Most importantly, children develop artistic sense.

Many Mongolian ballet dancers are working successfully at foreign theaters and production companies. Do you want to work abroad like them?

Of course, I have the desire to work for foreign theaters under the name Mongolia. But I spent my childhood abroad far away from my parents, so I want to be near them for now. I will probably go if the time is right.

Do you have someone you respect as a teacher at your theater and ask for professional advice?

I don’t want to name anyone in specific because I learn from all the senior artists at my theater, as well as my colleagues and friends who work with me.

Which foreign ballet dancers and choreographers do you admire and emulate?

There are many world-class ballet dancers. I especially admire Natalia Osipova, Marianela Nunez, Svetlana Zakharova and Iana Salenko. I like to watch videos of their performances and try to learn from them.