Q&A with Leah from Stage School

If you're a fan of Stage School, then you'll be familiar with Leah Bauckham's A-MA-ZING dance moves.

In the video above, Leah and her dad discuss her passion and the importance of determination when it comes to being a dancer.

Am I Normal was lucky enough to speak to Leah - she told us all about what life's like as a dancer and gave us some tips for entering this tough and challenging industry...

Hi Leah, what made you want to become a dancer?

I have been dancing ever since I was 3 and just really enjoyed it. I loved learning different styles and made lots of friends whilst in classes. Also, when I started competing I really loved the competition scene and going to different countries to represent England - that’s where I get my competitive nature from. I can never imagine myself doing anything else and I think that’s when you know it’s 100% what you want to do.

What do you love about dancing?

I think performing on stage and getting to show people what I can do. Also, I love it when my family come and watch me because I know that they are proud of me. Being an inspiration to kids is massive, Stage School has allowed me to become that, and knowing kids have started dancing again because of me is a great feeling.

What’s the most challenging aspect?

I think long rehearsals can be challenging, sometimes you’ll rehearse for hours and with tricky choreography it can get tiring. It's important to just keep focused, and maintain a positive attitude. It is sometimes easy to give up if you aren’t picking up the choreography, but keep going and challenge yourself!

What do you eat to stay healthy?

Firstly, I'll try and drink lots of water throughout the day, as it’s important to stay hydrated when dancing. I'll have porridge in the morning, which is a good breakfast to fill you up and give you slow-releasing energy, and I'll snack on nuts and bananas. They are quick to eat inbetween classes and give you lots of energy to perform at your best. I try not to eat dinner too late because it’s harder to burn off after a certain time.

How do you deal with stage fright?

I think the best thing for dealing with stage fright is confidence. Be confident in yourself and that you know what you're doing. If you're prepared enough, then you won’t feel as nervous. Also, enjoy it and smile - if it’s what you love to do you should be having fun! Dancing with friends is great and if I ever feel nervous they always reassure me that I’m going to be just fine.

Do you ever get challenging comments on social media and if so, how do you deal with them?

Yes, especially throughout this series. I think the best thing to do is try not to let it affect you. Most of the people writing don’t know you personally. I have a good support system at home, so I'll always tell my mum about my Tweets and she always cheers me up. Most of the time people are jealous, and if they are writing from behind a keyboard and not able to say things to your face, it shows a lot about them as a person. The best thing to do is forget about it and not retaliate.

What would you advise to anyone wanting to become a dancer?

Just keep at it. Dedication and determination will help you achieve your goals. If you really want to do this as a career, just stick at it. There are going to be set backs, but overcome them, keep focused and work hard. Also, continue learning and training from others.