New York-bound ... Yosvani Ramos.
New York is the next destination for this Australian Ballet artist.
Q How often are you on the road as principal artist for the Australian Ballet?
A A lot. For example, this year we went to Adelaide, Sydney, Hamilton Island - where I danced at the resort Qualia as part of the evening Pas de Deux in Paradise - and I just came back from touring regional Victoria and NSW.
Q The most challenging part of travel?
A Packing the right amount of stuff. I always take too much with me.
Q What is in your hand luggage?
A My laptop, my camera and, for overseas flights, a bag with toiletries to freshen up.
Q Best seat on a plane?
A Anywhere in first class. Otherwise, I like aisle seats.
Q Where is home?
A I'm from Camaguey, Cuba, but home now is in Melbourne. My family is in Cuba. I'm very close to my mum, dad and sister and I visit them every January. I left Cuba in 1997 and danced for two years in Paris, nine years in London and I've been in Australia for more than three years.
Q Where to next?
A I have two weeks off at the end of September, so I will be doing an around-the-world trip: Chicago, New York and then London. Chicago is such a beautiful and clean city ... there is always something happening in New York, and London is where most of my friends are.
Q Your ideal meal abroad?
A I love going with my best friend, Geni, to a Thai restaurant in London called Busaba, in Soho. I always have the chicken thom ka soup and green chicken curry with rice.
Q You speak four languages. Which language do you think in?
A Mainly English. My native language is Spanish, though.
Q Your career highlight so far?
A Dancing with the Paris Opera Ballet, English National Ballet and now the Australian Ballet, which I think is the highlight.
Q What is your greatest indulgence while travelling?
A Shopping, especially Abercrombie & Fitch in the US. I always go crazy when I'm there and buy lots ... I also only wear their cologne Fierce.
Interview by Jane Reddy
Yosvani Ramos performs in The Merry Widow on November 10-28 at the Sydney Opera House with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. See australianballet.com.au.
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