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Grace Horler

Soloist

Grace is a white woman with long blonde hair smiling at the camera

Joined Scottish Ballet: 2015

Training: The Royal Ballet School

The best thing that comes from touring is the sibling silliness that comes from living, eating, dancing and breathing together.

What’s your favourite place in Scotland?
Glen Etive. It’s my favourite place to go camping with friends and paddleboard on the water. We’ve been many times and I still find it just as beautiful as the first time I visited.  

What do you like to do on your days off?
If I’m not having a lazy recovery day, I like to get outside. So, either go for a swim in a loch, climb a hill or find the nearest beach. If we have two days off, a quick camping trip is always on the cards (weather dependant… obviously).  

Something people might not know about you?
I love surfing. Most of my holidays are spent surfing either in Cornwall or abroad where the waves allow. I still need to buy a winter wetsuit for the chilly Scottish water.  

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened on stage?
I somehow managed to fall down the stairs twice and lose the skirt off my dress all in the same show. Fair to say, I wasn’t having the best day, but these shows always make the best memories. I can’t help but laugh in these situations and people always say my laugh is contagious on stage so before you know it the whole company is trying not to laugh.  

What’s the best thing about going on tour with the company?
The sibling silliness that comes from living, eating, dancing and breathing together. Also, the fun we have outside of the theatre, like nights out together and going for yummy food.  

What’s your favourite ballet to perform?
I loved performing David Dawson’s Swan Lake because we really had to push our bodies to the extreme. This emotion and feeling paired with the gorgeous music is unbelievably rewarding. However, my favourite would have to be performing the Witch in Hansel & Gretel because in Act 1 you are glamorous and elegant with challenging steps and then in Act 2 you get to be comical and creature-like.  

What’s your dream role to perform?
I would love to perform the Queen of Hearts from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Wheeldon). The role involves a spoof of the world-famous Rose Adagio from Sleeping Beauty and, as I enjoy acting, I think I would have a lot of fun finding ways to make the audience laugh. 

What career moment are you most proud of?
Performing Mazelda for the world premiere of The Snow Queen. It was a special night because we had spent months creating this character, who I even got to name, and we were presenting her to the world and in the hope that the audience would fall in love with her just as much as I did. It will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Repertoire Highlights: Snow Queen (The Nutcracker), Empress Elisabeth (The Scandal at Mayerling), Witch (Hansel &Gretel), Godmother and Stepsister (Cinderella), Madge (Highland Fling), Mazelda and Lexi/Summer Princess (The Snow Queen).  

‘Grace Horler’s Snow Queen, glowing and regal, her pas de deux with Loudon was beautifully accomplished.’
Peter Darrell’s The Nutcracker, DanceTabs, January 2022 

‘Grace Horler is the poised and elegant Queen.’
Peter Darrell’s The Nutcracker, The Herald, December 2021 

‘As Lexi, the tall and commanding Grace Horler almost stole the show. A strong dramatic performance’
Christopher Hampson’s The Snow Queen, DanceTabs, January 2020