Q) What got you started in ballet?

A) I originally got into ballet because my older sister took ballet. Since she did it, I wanted to do it, too. I started probably around the age of five or six years old, but I was not serious about ballet until I was in high school. Before that I saw it more as a recreational thing than a career path.

Q) How did you become a company member at Ballet West?

A) One of my teachers at Point Park University actually directed me to Ballet West. She said that they like tall girls with long legs. I am tall and have long legs. So, I figured why not? I auditioned for their summer program.

Q) What is the most challenging aspect of being a professional dancer?

A) For me, it's being away from my family that is the hardest. I'm blessed with a really happy family. We all really get along. My sisters are my best friends. Only being able to see them once or twice a year, it's excruciating. I miss them a lot.

Q) We saw on "Breaking Pointe" that you are no longer with Ballet West? What is the new company for which you dance?

A) I am not allowed to say anything until the finale. You'll find out soon!

Q) You have said before that it is hard for new dancers to be welcomed into a new company. What is it like at your new company?

A) I think it's hard for dancers to be welcomed into a new company just because it's very territorial. You're coming in as the new competition, but at the place I found everyone seems very nice. I'm actually excited to start there. It'll be a good experience and you just have to take it as the days go on. It's hard at first, but once you get into the grove of things and get your routine down then people start to open up.

Q) Who are some of the people that inspire you?

A) I would definitely have to say my family. I think that coming from a tight knit family we all feed off each other. Learning through the accomplishments and mistakes of my family keeps me going.

Q) What have been some of your favorite ballet performances?

A) I would definitely say The Little Mermaid. I was able to be Ariel and I loved every minute of it! I also really liked Don Quixote. Performing that was fun! I haven't gotten to do too many roles yet because I was just starting off and kind of at the bottom of the totem pole at Ballet West. I'm really hoping that as my career progresses I'll be able to perform a lot more.

Q) You have a great relationship and an amazing career. Would you say that you have it all at this point in your life?

A) No, actually. I'm twenty-three years old and still young. I think I have a lot, and maybe it's greedy of me, but I want more. I am ready to handle more.

Q) "Breaking Pointe" shows you have a great relationship with your boyfriend Ron Tilton. Are you still together?

A) Yes, we're still together. We have a really great relationship. It's nice to date someone who really understands what you're going through. He's a big sweetheart! It's kind of hard not to have a great relationship when you're dating Ron Tilton.

Q) How long have you been together?

A) It's been about two years now. We met on the very first day of work at Ballet West and it just kind of clicked from there.

Q) Was there any part of your life that you made off-limits to the camera?

A) I think I was very open with the cameras. When we first started the filming I had told myself, "Be careful! Be careful and don't over expose yourself." After about the first week of filming it was almost like I was lying to the cameras by not exposing myself and telling them exactly how I'm feeling and what's happening. It's a crazy experience being able to be part of filming a reality television show and still realize this is a TV show and you have a career. Other reality shows are about people living their lives and that's great, but I think that this show is different because it's about dancers working through their careers. I feel like it's important to be open and to show people what's really going on. I'm an honest person, as it is. I feel like if I didn't allow the camera to see the hard times then my character on the show wouldn't be what it was.

Q) Do you have any superstitious habits before you perform?

A) I'm pretty loosey-goosey with my pre-performance routine. Beckanne [Sisk] and I always listen to music on our iPods and stretch out a little bit. I kind of find that if I'm not laughing and having a good time before a performance then my performance goes down the drain. If I'm not relaxed it just isn't going to happen. So, I normally just do what I'm feeling that day. I'm not overly superstitious.

Q) Who are you still close with at Ballet West?

A) I'm definitely still closest with Beckanne. We're best friends and we keep in touch. Obviously, I'm close with Ron because he's my boyfriend. Beckanne and Ron are who I'm close with. We also have a close group of girls that we all like to hang out with. I'll be going back to Salt Lake City to visit everyone next week and I'm excited!

Q) What kind of reaction have you gotten from appearing on the show?

A) Actually, everything has been really positive! The only negative reaction I've gotten was when some random guy tweeted "Katie didn't get hired back because of her stupid bangs." As long as people don't like me for my hairstyle I think I'm good to go!

Q) A lot of fans have said they'd like to see a spinoff of "Breaking Pointe" starring you and Beckanne. How does that make you feel?

A) That would be really fun! I think, if anything, it'd definitely be under the category of comedy rather than drama. Sure, I'd be all for it! I think it'd be a blast. We have a whole lot of fun together.

Q) What were some of your favorite moments from filming that you watched?

A) I can think of a lot of things that they haven't aired yet that were really fun to film. I guess I can't say too much until Thursday since they are actually going to air. I do wish they'd show more of my relationship with Beckanne and Ron. We, literally, filmed sun up to sun down. It was disappointing that we weren't in it as much, but I think everything that they decided to pick were fun scenes to film. They showed me in a very good light, which I definitely appreciate. Trying to cram in all of that film with all of the people they focused on would be impossible.

Q) What do you think it is about "Breaking Pointe" that makes it such a fan favorite?

A) I think that people see that we actually work hard. I think everyone can relate to watching people work hard. I think that in a lot of reality shows, in general, they have a lot of fun. I think that "Breaking Pointe" shows that you can have fun, but you also need to work hard during the day. Work hard during the day and have fun at night. I think a lot of people appreciate that. I think it's also kind of a relief to see that people work hard, but sometimes it doesn't happen for them or work out at the end of the day. It's a very refreshing reality show for America.

Q) You are a part of the social networking site Twitter. Why is that such an important place for you to connect with fans?

A) I feel like Twitter is very personable. I think that you can have direct conversations with people and I feel that me being a part of Twitter has really kept myself alive during "Breaking Pointe." I think that I'm a very personable person. I like people, I like to talk to people and I like to hear their life stories. It's been really neat to be able to talk directly to the fans. Like I said, I've gotten all positive feedback (besides that one negative). And I take pride in my bangs so that hurt, but I think that Twitter has been great.

Q) What advice do you have for people auditioning for companies?

A) Confidence is key! Do your research before auditions, see what the company is like, what their dancers are like and how they dance.

Q) Have you ever taken any other form of dance?

A) I tap danced for years. I was on the dance team in high school for four years Varsity and one year I was Captain.

Q) Where can people go online to learn more about you?

A) People can go tohttp://www.facebook.com/itskatiemartin, on Twitter I'm @itskatiemartin and on Instagram my name there is itskatiemartin.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the show?

A) I would just like to say thank you. It's been such a crazy experience having people just liking you. I feel like I've always fought to have friends and to fit in. It's been really crazy to just completely open up and have people like you. I would like to say thank you to all my fans and keep it coming! I really hope there is a season two and that I'm part of it. Even if there's a spinoff, it's all been awesome and I don't want it to end!

PHOTOS BY: Erik Ostling/The CW ©2012 THE CW NETWORK, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.