Sophie Scicluna is a mum-to-be and First Artist at Queensland Ballet who has
been dancing since the age of three.
Sophie sits down with us at M. Magazine to talk about her pregnancy, how she is navigating her body's changes as a dancer, as well as what she is wearing for
comfort during her rehearsals.
been dancing since the age of three.
Sophie sits down with us at M. Magazine to talk about her pregnancy, how she is navigating her body's changes as a dancer, as well as what she is wearing for
comfort during her rehearsals.
"I've learned that as dancers we take for granted our freedom of movement, strength and flexibility and as you progress through pregnancy this becomes
less easy."
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Sophie Scicluna and I've been dancing since I was three.
Growing up around the world I found ballet as my constant and my first true love. After studying at The Australian Ballet School in Melbourne for almost five years I joined Queensland Ballet in 2013 and am now a First Artist with the company. I have also found an interest in choreography and movement direction and launched my website sscicluna last year which fuses those passions with my love for fashion, production, storytelling and collaboration. I currently live in Toowong with my husband and puppy! We are no strangers to house renovations and actually turned our once purpose built boutique gym located on our property under our 1950's Queenslander, into an Airbnb called West Hub where we currently host up to 6 guests at a time!
Congratulations! You have a little girl arriving in June of this year!
How has your pregnancy been thus far?
How has your pregnancy been thus far?
I have been incredibly lucky with my pregnancy journey so far with no sickness or major symptoms! I feel grateful for my body and it's health, I've also loved learning so much about it along the way. To have a connection and bond with another human that you haven't even met yet is something out of this world..it can't be put into words.
How does it feel to practice and perform with a growing belly?
I am still doing daily ballet class which is keeping me agile and strong.
It's part of our never ending ritual and practise as dancers and I aim to continue it for as long as I can.
It's part of our never ending ritual and practise as dancers and I aim to continue it for as long as I can.
"I have modified how much I do though, pulling back from jumps, turns and pointe work as I listen to my growing and changing body."
I have the incredible support of our medical team such as physiotherapists, massage therapists, pilates and strength instructors to substitute what would normally be a full day of dancing for me.
Since I fell pregnant at the end of August 2024 I managed to continue some performances including Coco Chanel, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet and, early on, a special duet in The Australian Ballet School's 60th Gala which was like a homecoming and actually when I found out I was pregnant!
As an artist / ballerina what has been most challenging
about being pregnant?
about being pregnant?
I've found the biggest challenge has been the restrictions my body is not used to.
"I've learned that as dancers we take for granted our freedom of movement, strength and flexibility and as you progress through pregnancy this becomes less easy."
My feet have swollen a little and pointe shoes aren't as comfortable, nor is trying to get them on by reaching past my belly to get to the ribbons!
What have been some of your greatest achievements / roles with
Queensland Ballet?
I've been performing with the company since I was seventeen years old so my roles are quite varied and expansive. I tend to be cast for characters with lots of grit and conviction, such as Carmen and Carabosse, I love the art of storytelling that comes with my job. The moments from my career that really stand out are times where I've been created on and given the opportunity to work alongside a choreographer to bring a new work to life! I've been lucky enough to win a travel scholarship, an award for artistic excellence and been named Dancer to Watch twice in my career.
How did your ballet journey begin?
I began ballet when I was three years old in Zimbabwe after my older sister started classes. We had moved from Australia for my dad's job and our school offered after hours ballet classes. I naturally wanted to copy my sister and, although she didn't find the same passion with it, I definitely did and as we moved countries a few more times it was something that I kept doing as it's a universal language and I could keep learning wherever I was!
Have you changed your work demands since
being pregnant?
being pregnant?
I managed to continue performing physical roles until close to the end of my first trimester but I didn't want to push my body as it was continuing to change. My priority became about something bigger than myself and in our industry we are so focused on ourselves as our biggest tool/instrument to do our job this was quite a shift! The company encourage you to take on alternate duties when you can longer perform to your full dancer capabilities and this allows you to continue working at full pay right until bub's due date.It was important for me to stay connected to the dancers and artistic side throughout this period so I have stepped into a role on the artistic team helping to stage ballet's and run rehearsals.
"I am still doing class every morning then continue my day alongside my colleagues so I feel lucky to be expanding my skills still within the studio"
We love seeing you in our Mumma Milla bandeau bralette and cami!
I am absolutely loving my Mumma Milla products already!
My bandeau bralette has been a staple around the house in hot weather and on my morning pup walks! The cami has been perfect for support and comfort while I'm running rehearsals and the sleek design and colour make it appropriate for my new role while my belly continues to grow.
My bandeau bralette has been a staple around the house in hot weather and on my morning pup walks! The cami has been perfect for support and comfort while I'm running rehearsals and the sleek design and colour make it appropriate for my new role while my belly continues to grow.
"One of my friends and colleagues at Queensland Ballet who has a beautiful 2 year old girl still wears her Mumma Milla cami and refuses to cut ties with it, she is a fan!"
Some of your favourite pregnancy products thus far?
A friend and new mum thoughtfully dropped off some Endota Organics 'Nurture' pregnancy products including their hydrating belly oil and moisture rich belly butter. I have loved using them generously morning and night! I recently purchased Mayde Tea which is made in Byron Bay and this particular tea is called Nursing which has flavours of lemongrass and lemon balm. I look forward to drinking this tea postpartum to help with my breastfeeding journey especially as we will be in the middle of winter,
a perfect mumma treat.
a perfect mumma treat.
Your favourite things to do in your spare time/ hobbies / what you do to relax.
In the past few years I have rediscovered reading! I've found books to be a perfect way to relax and switch my mind off during pregnancy especially when the anxieties of childbirth and the apprehension of becoming a new mum become overwhelming. Every morning I take some time in bed with my belly and fur baby to read and listen to classical music. I find this solitude has become an important habit to start my day in a calm way. To find the best cheap reads and so much variety check when your city next hosts their Lifeline Bookfest, a great way to stock up on some new novels before heading into mat leave!
In the past few years I have rediscovered reading! I've found books to be a perfect way to relax and switch my mind off during pregnancy especially when the anxieties of childbirth and the apprehension of becoming a new mum become overwhelming. Every morning I take some time in bed with my belly and fur baby to read and listen to classical music. I find this solitude has become an important habit to start my day in a calm way. To find the best cheap reads and so much variety check when your city next hosts their Lifeline Bookfest, a great way to stock up on some new novels before heading into mat leave!
