Reyes finished Ballet in Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) at Mt Makiling, Laguna and also studied Dance in the De La Salle-College of St Benilde (DLS-CSB) while she was already dancing professionally with BP. "My journey with BP began in 2011," Reyes shares. "The production then was entitled Inamorata and it was a gala. A mixed bill of classical and modern pieces. I remember doing a modern pas de deux that was first done for a choreography competition. I was lucky to be one of the dancers of the piece called Battle of the Sexes," she recalls. "Every role I played was memorable. I’ve always been the happiest [person] each time I get to be cast in my dream roles."

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In preparing for roles, especially for full-length Ballet Classic, Reyes shares that she would first watch video footage of performances, particularly of the version the company would most likely do. Afterwards, she would look into other versions to see if there are some materials that can work better on her body. "I also look into details in terms of acting and storytelling," Reyes says. "After that, we all move on to learning the choreography and work with our partners. Most of the time, the choreography is fixed. Therefore, we must first consult the regisseur (re-stager) if he or she will allow my personal input on the role I’m playing. I like watching other dancers who have done it as well. I take what’s good, what makes sense and eliminate what doesn’t. Then I inject my personal character and try to see if it works," she continues.

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Admittedly, Reyes finds herself more comfortable in villainous roles. This she discovered when she essayed Odile and Odette, the white and black swan princesses of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake that was restaged by esteemed ballet dancer and choreographer Nonoy Froilan. "I don't even think that I need to act like it because that [Black Swan] is me. But roles like that don't get to be the lead character," she explains. "It's always a challenge for me to be soft, delicate, fragile, and need to be saved. But those are the roles that make me grow as an artist. It makes me think, pause, and observe more. It pushes me to dig deeper into myself, look for that part of me."

Aside from playing the villain, she also finds comedic roles interesting. "I can't categorise it as 'easy' or 'difficult' but I found it so much different from the other roles," Reyes says. "When we did stepsisters for Cinderella, I found it really challenging at first because it was so different compared to the ballerina roles I played," she recalls. "I ended up having too much fun in it and I would say that having to constantly think of a gimmick for every show or rehearsal was the best part of it. Next to dancing it with my best friend as the other stepsister of course."

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A day in the life of a ballerina for Reyes definitely starts with a good coffee and breakfast. "I really need a good warm-up, a full ballet class, and lots of prayers and meditation. But before all of that, I need to have a full uninterrupted sleep because that’s what sets my body and mood. After a full show, it’s a must to do a good cool down and stretching. When I get home, it really feels good to have a long, warm shower and then I soak my legs in an ice bucket with epsom salt for 15 minutes for good muscle recovery. It’s basically just about staying healthy in general. I also talk to my family and friends to take my mind out of work. We talk about things that are not related to dance and it will instantly get my head out of a character," Reyes narrates.

And for her, that's the beauty regimen she could best recommend—taking care of yourself seriously. "Get a good night's sleep, proper diet, a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and staying hydrated," Reyes says. "Reading books for self-help when the going gets tough, is also a must. I'd like to think that keeping yourself mentally healthy makes a big difference when it comes to physical beauty. You can't look good if you don't feel good," she adds.

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Although Reyes already had the opportunity to essay some lead roles, she still feels humbled especially when in the presence of great teachers and co-dancers. "Thanks to social media, I can now admire dancers from any part of the world," she shares. "Pre-pandemic, I also get instant inspiration from watching live performances. Just watching any show makes me feel alive and connected to the world—may it be ballet, musical, concert, or even art exhibitions."

With that in mind, she believes that media plays a big part in people's lives. "Through media, more people get a better understanding and appreciation for the arts. When I was younger, I remember watching a ballet show on TV. For someone who doesn't have access to live shows in Manila then, it was nice to be given at least a glimpse of ballet and what it's like."

Hence, Reyes believes that the digitalisation of ballet for easier access can be a good way to promote it. "Funding is where I think the government and other art institutions can help," she adds.

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"Ballet is never easy," she says, giving advice to aspiring dancers out there. "It wouldn’t be possible to survive it if you don’t love it. You have to love it to a point where ballet feels like breathing air. You can’t live without it. Because to be the best, you have to give your best, your all, everything you can give. A clear goal, mindset, and focus are also essential in anything you’d like to achieve. Also, ballet is not for the faint-hearted. Don’t let failure go to your heart when things don’t go your way (even after all that hard work). But when things are good, don’t let success go to your head. As much as possible, absorb all the lessons, and just enjoy the journey . . . because that’s the beauty of it."

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