'What's in my Dance Bag' with Katherine Ochoa

First Soloist Katherine Ochoa reveals the daily essentials she keeps in her dance bag.

I always have three pairs of pointe shoes in my bag. One pair is quite new and still really hard, another is more worn-in and comfortable, and the third is a skin-coloured pair. I usually rotate between them, wearing one pair for class and rehearsals until they start to soften, then switching to a newer pair. The skin-coloured pair is for when I’m not wearing tights, because it looks more seamless.

I also have my canvas ballet flats, which I wear for barre during morning ballet class.

For recovery and strength, I carry a compression sock for my ankle, and a small bag with two different massage balls: one I prefer for my calves and the other for my back. I also keep two therabands in there, one for strengthening my feet and another for working on my hips, glutes, legs, and arms.

Hydration is really important, so I always have electrolytes on hand. I usually start my day with a glass of electrolytes in water, and then I’ll add more to my water bottle throughout the day, during or after rehearsals, to stay hydrated and replenished.

I also keep some dark chocolate in my bag, which is perfect if I need a quick energy boost, or just something sweet to keep me going during a long day.

I always have my headphones with me too, as I like listening to music before class or while warming up for rehearsals and shows. Recently I’ve been loving Bad Bunny, but it really depends on my mood.

In another little bag, I keep all my hair essentials, such as pins, hair ties and clips.

I also carry a notebook and pen, which I use to jot down corrections, content ideas for my social media, and anything creative I don’t want to forget.

Since we’re performing Don Quixote, I of course have a fan in my bag as well!

I carry a couple of rehearsal skirts in my dance bag – one grey and one black – along with two different legwarmers and a little top I made from old tights, which I wear over my shoulders to stay warm.

And finally, I have a small pouch with the rest of my essentials: Nurofen gel for any aches or niggles, moisturiser, Aquaphor, lip gloss and liner, perfume (always!), floss for sewing (which dancers often use instead of thread because it’s stronger and cheaper), plus a needle, scissors, tissues, a phone charger, and plasters.