I didn’t understand a word when I arrived... but I feel more Scottish every day
Stars of Scottish Ballet salute battalion of skilled and expert cobblers ensuring 50th anniversary shows can go on – Principal dancer Constance Devernay
Constance Devernay was just 17 when she came to Scotland for her first professional dance contract with Scottish Ballet.
Her family remained in France, so the teenager stepped off the plane alone and recalls getting into a taxi and not understanding a word the driver said.
She has now been with Scottish Ballet for 10 years and, with hints of a Scottish accent, said: “I feel like I’m becoming more Scottish every day. I suppose it was a big thing to come here so young, but it was just so exciting that I didn’t think about being frightened.”
Constance was promoted to principal dancer almost three years ago, having overcome a couple of setbacks on her way to reaching the top.
She says: “I developed asthma at three and I still have it, but I’ve learned to control it. I always carry my inhalers with me and I’ve learned how to properly warm up. My stamina is good and people don’t realise I have asthma.
“At 19 it was discovered I had an extra bone between my big toe and the second toe on my left foot, which required keyhole surgery.”
Constance was six when she took up ballet and when her parents took her to see The Nutcracker a few years later, she knew it was what she wanted to do for a living.
“I started in a small dance school in my hometown and then moved to a boarding school in the south of France when I was 12, where we did academia in the morning and danced in the afternoon.
“I moved to the English National Dance School at 15 and then came to Scotland.
“I’ve grown as a performer with Scottish Ballet and I’m privileged to be part of the 50th anniversary season.”