Samantha Garay: Being in ballet – and loving every moment of it
Sam (third from right) had her first taste of performing in a full-length ballet as part of the swan corps in Ballet Manila’s Swan Lake. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
By Jv Ramos
Ballerina Samantha Grace “Sam” Garay is a Steps Dance Studio alumna who has joined Ballet Manila as a company artist. Only eight when she started her training, Sam never pictured herself to be a professional, especially since she did not have any exposure to ballet shows growing up. Not to mention, when she auditioned for Steps, she was more after the bonus points in Math that her school promised to those who tried out. “Wala talaga akong alam tungkol sa ballet nu’ng nag-audition ako,” she states. “Oo, sumasayaw ako nu’ng bata ako pero ito ay mga nauuso lang na nakikita ko sa TV. (I didn’t know anything about ballet when I auditioned. Sure, I danced as a child but I only danced the trends I saw on TV.)
Ballet Manila company artist Samantha Garay never dreamed of becoming a professional ballerina but now says she can’t think of doing anything else. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
In that audition held in her school, Sam was the only one who got selected to be a Steps scholar, which already gave her an idea of how demanding dancing can be. But she chose to stay year after year at the dance school until she was already training six times a week. “Ang nagustuhan ko talaga sa ballet – at sa iba pang sayaw na itinuro sa amin ng Steps – ay na-e-express ko ang sarili ko sa stage. Gustong-gusto ko ang feeling na ’yan kaya naman pinagpatuloy ko lang.” (What I like about ballet – and the other genres of dance that Steps taught us – is that I’m able to express myself on stage. I really enjoyed that feeling so I kept pursuing my training.)
Here, she adds that her teachers Jeff Espejo and Pam Espejo at Steps were so inspiring that she couldn’t help but look into the journeys they’d been through. “Sa kanila ko nalaman ang Ballet Manila dahil nanggaling din sila dito,” Sam cites. “At dahil lagi nilang nakukuwento ang magandang experience, training at direction ng company, ginusto ko na rin na makapasok sa kumpanya.” (It was through them that I learned about Ballet Manila, because they also came from there… And because they kept telling stories about their good experience, the training and direction of the company, I also wanted to get into it.)
Another role for Sam in Swan Lake was as a princess being paired off with Prince Siegfried, portrayed by San Francisco Ballet soloist Nathaniel Remez. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Sam’s journey to the professional level didn’t come easy though. In high school, she remembers having to do long commutes just to get from her school in Tondo to Makati, where Steps is located. “Parang lagi akong nagmamadali sa klase noon dahil sa commute! At mahirap ’yon kung dancer ka at late ka sa klase… May mga moments nga na gusto kong sumuko dahil sa pagod, pero nu’ng naisip ko ang sampung taon na binigay ko para sa sayaw, na-mo-motivate akong tumayo at lumaban pa!” (I was always rushing back then due to the commute. And to be late for class is something very difficult to go through as a dancer… There were moments when I wanted to give up, but when I realized that I had already spent 10 years in training, I got motivated to stand up and continue fighting.)
Sam (leftmost) was part of the Steps Dance Studio team that competed in the Youth American Grand Prix Finals in 2024 where they emerged in the Top 12 Contemporary Ensembles. Photo from Vian Reign Pelegrin’s Facebook page
Asked what her situation was like during the pandemic, Sam says she found herself craving to dance even more. “Dahil wala ngang magawa, pinili ko na mag-train at mag-train sa Zoom classes ng Steps kaysa maging tamad lang sa bahay. Mas nabuhay ang drive ko sa pagsayaw noong lockdown.” (Because there was nothing much to do, I chose to train and train through the Zoom classes of Steps than lazing around the house. My drive for dancing was awakened even more during the lockdown.)
It was after the lockdown experience that she decided she would go into professional ballet. After 12 years with Steps, she entered Ballet Manila in May 2025 as a company member and was immediately cast in its production of Swan Lake.
Taking on multiple roles in Swan Lake, Sam was also part of the corps in the ballet classic’s Act 1. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
How has Sam been finding company life? She admits to feeling very pressured in her first weeks. “Never pa po kasi ako naka-experience na mag-full length, kaya sobrang kabado ako noong una. Kabado ako dahil di ko alam kung makakabisado ko ang steps.” (I’d never experienced being in a full-length ballet, so I was so anxious at first. I was especially anxious about not being able to remember all the steps.)
Sam and her Steps batchmate and bestie, Vian Reign Pelegrin, only had three weeks to learn the steps and form of being a swan in the demanding classic. “Buti na lang sobrang patient lahat ng teachers at dancers dito sa Ballet Manila sa pagturo ng steps at kahit napapaulit sila dahil sa aming mga bagong dancers, hindi sila nagagalit. Very grateful ako sa kanilang kindness!” (It’s a good thing that the teachers and dancers here in Ballet Manila are so patient with teaching us the steps and even if the dancers had to repeat things because of us new dancers, they don’t get mad. I’m very thankful for their kindness.)
She continues, “Very proud po ako na nakasama ako sa corps de ballet ng Swan Lake, at sa experience na maka-share ng stage with Ballet Manila principals at pati na rin ang guest artists ng ibang company.” (I’m very proud to be part of the corps de ballet of Swan Lake and to experience sharing the same stage with Ballet Manila principals as well as guest artists from other companies.)
It was from her Steps teachers, Pam Espejo and Jeff Espejo – pioneers of Ballet Manila – that Sam first learned about the company. One day, she would like to teach ballet like them too. Photo from Samantha Garay’s Facebook page
With a heart full of gratitude, Sam posted on Facebook afterwards: “First production with BM – what a dream come true! I’m deeply honored and beyond grateful to have been part of Swan Lake – my very first full-length ballet performance. Thank you, Ma’am Lis [artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde], for the opportunity to live this dream on stage. To everyone in the company, thank you for welcoming us with such open arms and hearts. And to my amazing family and friends – your constant love and support mean the world.”
Speaking of Swan Lake, Sam shares that she would like to dance the dual role of Odette and Odile someday. “Ibang-iba ang dating ng music ng Swan Lake sa akin. Tuwing naririnig ko ito, napapasayaw ako. Gusto ko pong ma-experience ang sumayaw ng iba’t-ibang full-length ballets, at gusto ko ring makapagturo tulad nina Teacher Jeff and Teacher Pam in the future.” (The appeal of the music of Swan Lake is just different. Whenever I hear it, I always want to dance… I wish to experience dancing more full-length ballets, and I would like to be able to teach like Teacher Jeff and Teacher Pam in the future.)
After twelve years as batchmates at Steps Dance Studio, Sam and best friend Reign Pelegrin are continuing their dance journey together in Ballet Manila as company artists. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
After graduating with high honors from the Philippine Academy of Sakya, Sam is intent on still pursuing academic studies and is currently enrolled at AMA College for Business Administration. When she has free time, she enjoys reading, watching sitcoms and K-dramas recommended by Reign.
When asked to give advice to young dancers, Sam has this to say: “Para maging laging motivated sa ballet, kailangan mong maghanap ng enjoyment sa process. Kailangan mo rin mahalin ang ginagawa mo.” (To always keep motivated, you have to find enjoyment in the process. You also have to love what you do.)
To keep motivated in ballet, Sam says one has to enjoy the process – and to love what one is doing. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
