Melanie Hamrick is born in Williamsburg, Virginia, began her training at Chamber Ballet and continued her training with Sandra Balestracci at the Eastern Virginia School of the Performing Arts. She was a scholarship student for five years at the University Ballet Academy (formerly known as the Kirov Academy of Ballet) where she studied with Alla Sizova for three years, as well as Nicolai Morozov and Adrienne Dellas. She has performed the wedding pas de deux and the Bluebird pas de deux from The Sleeping Beauty and the grand pas de deux from The Nutcracker.
Hamrick attended the summer program at the School of American Ballet for three years and attended ABT’s Summer Intensive Program in 2003.
Hamrick joined ABT Studio Company in September 2003 and the main Company as a member of the corps de ballet in April 2004. Her roles include Calliope in Apollo, lead D’Jampe, a Shade and Pas d’Action in La Bayadère, the Fairy Winter in Cinderella, Prayer in Coppélia, an Odalisque in Le Corsaire, a Flower Girl in Don Quixote, Moyna in Giselle, Caroline in Jardin aux Lilas, Olympia in Lady of the Camellias, the Spanish Dance in The Nutcracker, a Harlot in Romeo and Juliet, Candide (Sincerity) in Ratmansky’s The Sleeping Beauty, the Fairy of Sincerity in The Sleeping Beauty, a big swan, the pas de trois and the Spanish Dance in Swan Lake, the Prelude and Mazurka in Les Sylphides, Diana and Terpsichore in Sylvia and roles in After You, Dark Elegies, Duets, Everything Doesn’t Happen at Once, From Here On Out, Gong and Raymonda Divertissements. She created the role of one of the Nutcracker’s Sisters in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker, the Sapphire Fairy in Ratmansky’s The Sleeping Beauty and roles in AfterEffect and Private Light.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with an exceptionally talented Melanie Hamrick, an American ballet dancer talks about her workout, diet, beauty secrets and success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You are well recognized for your work with the ballet group ‘American Ballet Theatre’. Share some special moments from your spectacular journey and how it began
Melanie Hamrick:
There are so many special memories it’s hard to narrow them down! From a seven year old deciding I wanted to commit my life to ballet to now the special feeling of choreographing and seeing it come to life on different stages around the world.
Namita Nayyar:
A couple of special moments
Melanie Hamrick:
I will always remember the first time I stepped onstage at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln centre; it was such a spectacular feeling. The sheer size of the stage and looking out into the audience took my breath away. It’s one of the biggest opera house stages in the world.
Preparing for one of my first principal roles, Jardin aux Lilas (Lilac Garden). Absorbing oneself in something so completely that I truly felt I could bring the audience into my world.
It was like the most perfect dream from the first day in the studio learning the first steps to the applause and curtain coming down on the performance. It’s one of my favorite memories of my career.
Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your life. With your family on one side and your passion for others.
Melanie Hamrick:
Life has definitely changed a lot in the past year! Pre- pandemic I would wake early to take my son to pre-school then head to a full day of rehearsals. I’d run home after rehearsal to be with Dev and then either head back to the theatre for a show or get to stay and spend time with my son. Life now is much different and I’m so thankful for the time I’ve been able to spend with my family.
I’ve also discovered new passions and talents. I was able to produce creative direct and choreograph a little which are all things that are very new for me. When my work partners, Joanna DeFelice and Christine Shevchenko and I created our show ‘A NIGHT AT THE BALLET’ I loved the feeling of giving jobs to dancers, film and stage crews that have been out of work. And now I’m busy developing an amazing new dance show that I can’t wait to share!
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine that you may like to share? Exercise routine you incorporated to shed that baby weight after giving birth to your son.
Melanie Hamrick:
I love to work out! The endorphins released keep my mind and body happy and healthy. I constantly switch it up so different parts of the body are used. Besides working with my trainer Joel Prouty, I like to do cardio. I also love Cryotherapy. After I had my son I couldn’t exercise for a bit however I could do Cryotherapy and it was amazing for blood circulation and fighting postpartum.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some specific diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit? Five key essentials in the diet.
Melanie Hamrick:
I don’t follow a particular diet; however I will occasionally do intermittent fasting. I also really believe listening to what your body needs and wants is important. I never deprive myself of anything because eventually the craving for it will become so big that you over eat something unhealthy. So if I want French fries I have them but in moderation. The next meal will be fresh fish and veggies.
5 key essentials:
- Moderation
- Balance
- Water
- Exercise
- Do what makes you feel good.
Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in your career?
Melanie Hamrick:
My family and partner, Mick. His dedication and work ethic are truly inspiring and motivating.
Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about your post-pregnancy weight loss. Five tips that can help young mothers return back to the life of a dancer& stage performer while staying physically and emotionally strong.
Melanie Hamrick:
Working out with a friend. You push each other yet hopefully have a good time and some laughter. I would put my son in a stroller and walk everywhere! Fresh air is so good for you and a new baby. A support system.
Another dancer in ABT who was also a mother, Kelley Potter was so helpful and supportive. She understood what it was going to take to get back to work and how I would feel. I’m so thankful to her for that.
Cryotherapy!
If possible a trainer who has experience with ballet dancers. They will know what specifically needs to be targeted to get you back to performance shape.
Namita Nayyar:
With summers coming up, share your five favorite swimwear brands.
Melanie Hamrick:
Vix
Reina Olga
Solid and stripped
H&M
Agent Provocateur
Victoria Secret
Namita Nayyar:
After 15 years of performing ballet, you finally took to retirement. How is life post ballet and spending more time with your son? Do you still practice it?
Melanie Hamrick:
Being able to spend more time with my son has been the most incredible blessing. I still practice as much as I can as I plan to keep performing. I’m excited to explore more contemporary work but I personally still need to practice ballet to be in my best shape.
Namita Nayyar:
Your hair and skincare routine?
Melanie Hamrick:
I love face gym! It’s really fantastic. In one session they deep clean, do a face and neck massage, a tightening and lift treatment and then you can add a vitamin booster. I always leave glowing and hydrated!
I use Tatcha products for the face.
I recently started using Crushed tonic for skin and hair and found my skin improved and my hair healthier.
- Hair oil really saves my hair! It gets dried out so quickly from putting it up in a bun and using lots of hairspray. I put hair oil on the ends.
Namita Nayyar:
Five destinations that you have visited or would love to visit.
Melanie Hamrick:
France
Costa Rica
Oman (ABT went on tour there and it was incredibly beautiful)
Kenya, I would love to go on a safari one day
St. Petersburg’s, Russia (the art and dance history are incredible)
I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be himself.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for our visitors?
Melanie Hamrick:
That Womenfitness.net is such a wonderful site that encourages and inspires women to be strong, happy and healthy. I love companies that have women supporting each other!
I would encourage readers to treat every day as a fresh start!
Namita Nayyar:
With over 32.3K followers on Instagram, give us 5 tips on growing your Instagram channel?
Melanie Hamrick:
Be authentic.
Show your passion. I love ballet/dance and fitness so that’s what I usually focus my posts on.
I personally try to stay out of political post because we get so much of that already everywhere that I think a break can be a good thing.
Melanie Hamrick Social Media Presence
- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/melhamrick
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness