Dancer
Born in Dallas, Texas (USA). Studied at Mejia Ballet, Boston Ballet, Ballet Academy East and Miami City Ballet School. Has performed with the Boston Ballet. Member of the NRW Junior Ballet since 2020.
Where are you from? Tell us about your home town or your family…
I grew up in Dallas, Texas, with my three siblings until I was 12, when I started moving around a lot for my ballet training. I am very close with my family and talk with them every chance I get.
When did you start to train ballet? What was your motivation to start ballet? Is there any story behind?
I started training at a studio called the Etgen-Atkinson School of Ballet when I was three years old. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to dance, however I was 12 when I decided to continue into more rigorous, pre-professional training in New York.
What has been your most special moment in your dance career? Is there any moment you don’t want to miss?
The most meaningful experience in my dance career so far was my final performance with Miami City Ballet School in 2019. I was fortunate enough to be able to perform William Tell Pas de Deux, Serenade, and another student’s choreography piece all in one show. I remember exiting the stage to quick change from William Tell to Serenade and thinking how lucky I am to be doing what I do.
How would you describe yourself? Where do you see yourself? In private and as an artist…
I strive to bring joy and tenacity into everything I do, both in and out of the studio, though there is a certain level of professionalism and seriousness that turns on the minute I enter the ballet environment. I strive to continue to grow personally and professionally, and use each side of myself to expand my artistry.
What has been your first experience in Dortmund? Why did you choose to come to Germany?
My first visit to Dortmund was to audition for the NRW Junior Ballet for the 2020-2021 season. I was fortunate enough to be able to see the company perform Alexander Ekman’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream the same day I flew in from the US. I was taken aback by the energy and artistry shown by each and every member of the company, further convincing me that these are the people I want to grow with, and be inspired by.
What is your dream? Any role or piece you would love to dance ones in your life?
My dream is to have a healthy, fulfilling career, and keep striving for the asymptote that is perfection in ballet. The fact that there is always room to grow, change, and evolve my dancing is such an incredible prospect, and I am excited everyday to keep challenging myself. There are so many ballets I have dreamed of dancing, but a couple that stick out to me are the Waltz Girl in Balanchine’s Serenade, and This Bitter Earth pas de deux by Christopher Wheeldon. I am also extremely interested in full lengths such as Giselle and Kenenth MacMillan’s Manon where I get to explore different characters and put my passion for acting to use.
Beside Dance – what are you interested in? Which profession would be interesting for you, if you hadn’t become a professional dancer? Or what’s your favourite way to spend your free time?
I have always loved to learn, and there are many areas of academia that interest me. Physiology and kinesiology are two areas of study which interest me greatly, as they are both involved in physical therapy which is a monumental aspect of a dancer’s career. Philosophy and English are also intriguing fields, as I love to debate and decipher. These are subjects I plan on studying further in an online college program during my professional ballet career. In my free time I love to spend time with my friends, cook, read, and watch movies.