The soloist and rising star with The Australian Ballet, who has been nominated for the prestigious and coveted 2019 Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards, became hooked on ballet after their tennis coach father brought home a video of Swan Lake to placate them while their mum was away.

That day, as four-year-olds, Oscar became her first dancing partner in the family lounge room. Oscar, who is now an engineer, was also accepted into the Australian Ballet School as a 13-year-old alongside her, and trained together at The Ballet Class in Rose Bay, where she still pops in to teach when she can.

“My teacher, Christine Atkinson, really shaped me into the dancer I am. She moulded my potential … you always need someone to believe in you.”

Despite the demanding hours in the studio, Ogai, who is of Japanese heritage, says she had a typical Aussie upbringing of sun, sand and surf.

She loved it so much she is planning on one day raising her own family here with her fiance.

“I’m absolutely one hundred per cent a Bondi girl,” she says.

“I remember loving nippers. My dad would say that ballet made my feet really strong so I could propel myself through the sand!” she says of her competitive North Bondi Nippers days. “I feel like my soul is so happy when I am back in Bondi.”

When we perform at the Opera House I love to go for a swim on a Sunday after the show. It’s such a nice place to relax my muscles.”

Now celebrated for those muscles, Ogai once struggled with her identity as a ballerina.

While her power and intensity on stage has propelled her into the spotlight, being strong and muscular didn’t always fit the mould of a traditional wispy, willowy, ballerina.

Ogai says standing out made her determined to push and prove herself.

“Rather than change your natural form, use it as a gift as it’s what makes you unique and embrace that,” she says, clearly strengthened by the award nomination.

As for the short life span of a ballerina, Ogai already has plans, laughing she’s already taken up crocheting to recreate cool ballet knitwear from the 80s.

“I think that’s what stimulates me. It’s not forever, so you want to make the most of every moment.

You put in all the extra time and effort to appreciate every moment now. And then you can have a second and a third life after.”

The winner of the Telstra Ballet Dance Awards will be announced at the opening of The Nutcracker (in Sydney on November 30) alongside a People’s Choice award — Visit telstra.com/ballet to vote before 17 November.