Meet Selah Jane Oliver | Ballerina with Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami

We had the good fortune of connecting with Selah Jane Oliver and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Selah Jane, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since being a professional dancer is that hard work and persistence pays off. Nowadays it’s very normal to seek instant gratification but with ballet it rarely works that way. There are days where I feel like a horrible dancer. I keep trying to apply that one correction for a perfect pirouette, feeling a little defeated in that moment, but soon with practice I can see the improvement. Ballet has taught me that what I want to achieve in life takes time. If you stick to what you want in life, to what your dreams are, you will succeed. Don’t give up just because you’re not where you think you should, or want to be yet. If you love what you’re doing stick to it, you will get to where you want to go.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a professional ballet dancer with Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami. I have been a professional ballerina for the past four years. There have been many lessons I’ve learned since my start of my career, one of which I am constantly working on, is patience with my mind and my body. I am very hard on myself and I believe we have to push ourselves and strive to be better to succeed however; I have learned it is just as important to rest and take time off and be forgiving if you aren’t perfect all the time. Your mind and body will continue to improve so be patient. It’s okay if it doesn’t happen right away.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love sushi so I would say Moshi Moshi on south beach is my favorite spot in Miami!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have too many people who have helped me along my path to think of just one. My directors of Dimensions Dance Theater of Miami, Jennifer Kronenberg and Carlos Guerra, for believing in me. My ballet teachers Yanis Pikieris (also resident choreographer for Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami) and Marielena Mencia along with all the teachers at Miami Youth Ballet for their constant support and belief in me. I am so incredibly lucky to have been taught and now working in an environment where I am supported and well equipped. And to my family who always encourage and keep me motivated.

Website: dimensionsdancemia.com

Instagram: @selaholii

Twitter: @selahjane2

Facebook: Selah Jane Oliver

Image Credits
Photo by Chloe Freytag, courtesy of Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami (Selah Jane Oliver and Stephan Fons), rehearsal photos taken by Yanis Eric Pikieris, courtesy of Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami, Photo by Simon Soong.