Ollie Andrews-Waller

ACROPAD ATHLETE

Bird College

MEET OLLIE: Hi guys my name is Ollie and im a 21 year old professional Dancer and Tricker currently training in my Grad year at Bird College. I Started my journey at the age of 2 when my Mum started to send me and my older sister into dance classes starting with Tap and eventually expanding across the years to Modern, Ballet, Jazz and Commercial. At the age of 5 I was diagnosed with Genetical Cataracts in both my eyes and was given 6 months until I lost my eyesight completely. Luckily I was able to have an operation which removed the worst of the cataracts and over the years with help from various operations my eyesight improved drastically. Being unable to take part in regular sports like football or rugby I continued to develop my craft in dance and it was in Year 8 at Secondary School where I was introduced to Parkour. We did a dance topic based on the idea of Parkour and exploring movement. We were shown a Youtube video of the sport and my friend and I instantly fell in love with what we saw and both started attempting to learn any form of Acrobatic skills through Youtube videos in a field after school on our own for the next 2 years. In Year 10 I left my original Secondary School and moved to The Brit School of Performing Arts and Technology 2016-2020 where I studied UAL level 3 extended diploma in dance and performance and graduated to Bird Collage to Study BA Hons Degree in Dance and Musical Theatre 2020-2023. To date I have never taken any Acrobatic or gymnastics classes of any kind and everything I’ve learned has been self taught from watching Youtube videos or through friends in the Parkour and Tricking community. I want to show people that if you want something bad enough and you're willing to work and fight for it nothing can stop you. You will fall down multiple times but how you choose to get back up is what makes a difference.

WHAT'S IN YOUR DANCE BAG: In my dance bag I'll have my jazz shoes, ankle supports, Roller and 2 litre water bottle which constantly need refilling.

FAVE ACRO MOVE: My Current Favourite Tricking Combo would be Hook, Cart, Wrap full, swing Dub Cork. And my favourite specific Trick would probably have to be a Full D-leg because of how floaty it floaty it feels and clean it looks. 

WHO IS YOUR HERO: I can't name any specific hero as I draw my inspiration from anyone and everyone around me. Although I have to give a shout out to the community at East London Gymnastics Centre for always supporting and pushing my and their craft.

ON MY REST DAY: My Rest days genuinely consist of maximising my sleeping schedule and some light stretching whilst taking time to spend with friends and family.