Photo by Rod Brayman

My Name is Viktoria Hofstaedter. I am 28 years old and originally from Austria.

 I am in the USA now for over 7 years and have lived in many different cities since then working as a ballerina model. 

I have been a dancer for all of my life and I have been a professional ballet dancer in Austria as well as in NYC.

 Now I travel all around the country to work as a ballerina and use my skills as a dancer for art, commercial and dance projects and work as a ballerina model!

    How long have you been dancing for?

 I have been dancing since the age of 3. I went to a professional dance school at the age of 14 where I graduated successfully before becoming a ballet dancer at the age of 19 in Austria (Europe). I was working as a soloist with Ballett st. Poelten, and we were performing and touring around the world before I decided to full fill my dreams and be a dancer in NYC. Long story short: I literally arrived with 2 suitcases, a big dream and determination in a new city I knew nobody in, but I made it work!

    What styles of dance do you specialize in?

I specialize in classical dance but and flexibility as well as contemporary dance!

Photo by Marie Otero

   What made you want to start dancing?

I can not even think of myself anymore without being a dancer or at least dance around the house. Since I was a little child I was dancing, stretching and choreographing! I always felt like I just have to dance to live!

    What has been your greatest accomplishment on your dance career?

To become a dancer despite the fact of being from Austria where being a ballerina is not really a job, as well as leaving a steady job behind and trying my luck in NYC and being hired here by companies as well!

Photo by Eric McCollum

    What has been your most memorable moment?

The day that I had my final exams at school was the same day I had my dance exams to be a government approved dancer (which is a degree in Europe), It was extremly stressful! Another moment was the day I arrived in NYC: full of excitement and joy yet so much fear, if I could make it work! Since I was all alone in a foreign city I had nothing: No job, no money, no phone, no apartment, no friends no connections- nothing!

    What has been your greatest challenge?

To believe in myself. I was always good with tolerating pain and working hard, but I often beat myself up and talked myself down. I think comparing yourself to other dancers is important in order to improve and grow, but you shouldn't let it discourage you and make you think bad about yourself! My week part were always my feet!  I have  never had a graceful dancer's arches and I was often injured because I overworked them and forced them to become something they are not!

Photo by dbox, photography Matthew Bannister and Keith Bomely

    What advice would you give to other dancers?

Never lose the passion and the real reason why you want to dance. Acknowledge you weakness and work on them in order to improve them, but be patient with your body! Focus on your strong parts and never lose the joy for dance! Because while I believe in great technique I learned that the audience and also the judges can oversee some flaws if you express the emotion of dance!

And my last advice: Be brave, try it! You never know what life may has in order for you when you work hard!

For More From Viktory: 

Instagram: @Viktorymodel 

 http://www.viktoriamodel.com/