I began my ballet training at a rather late age with Diana White and Christian Claessens of the New York City Ballet, at their Westchester based school, The Scarsdale Ballet Studio. After having studied tap, and a Broadway performance alongside Bebe Neuwirth I had decided that I wanted to begin to study ballet, as I realized how important it was going to be for me to continue in my dance career and become more of a well rounded and informed mover. Within a few days of my training, i hung up my tap shoes and fell head over heels in love with Ballet: with the grace and strength it represents.

 

I dance because it is the only time I feel like myself. I feel comfortable and safe in my skin. I feel free and light and my brain is clear of every thought that a world outside of myself, the music and the moments of moving through space exist. I dance because there is no other choice.

 

For me, I (mentally) am the hardest part about being a dancer. Having started so late and having missed out on numerous training and performing opportunities compared to those dancers around me, it is at times hard for me not to feel insecure and defeated. I am hard on myself and have high expectations of my progress. I judge my body, my ability and at times harp on my weaknesses. As I am getting older and feeling more secure in my strengths, these feelings are passing, however these are the things I struggle with the most. I am a hard working and dedicated student and strive to becoming artistic and expressive in my movements. I am able to accept that this is a constant process that will never reach its height...and I am looking forward and loving the journey.

 

Up until now, my most favorite part of being a dancer has been to simply be on stage. While of course, this is still something that excites me and validates all of my love and work in dance and will continue to, I am beginning to really appreciate other aspects of being a dancer as I am continuing in my training I enjoy that the more I learn, the harder things become. I enjoy approaching dance from an intellectual approach and discovering the ways in which the muscles and the bones work with one another and the ways in which some bodies need to approach a movement differently from other bodies with different facilities. The more I am teaching others, the more I am realizing these things about movement. It is exciting to learn and relearn that dance is not simply moving through space the way it appears. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done. The challenge is simply intoxicating.

 

In my spare time I am training in Bikram Yoga for the National Championship Competition! I also am a computer junkie and waste lots of time on the internet. Woody Allen movies never get old and are often the perfect way to spend an evening.

 

I have seen Elvis Costello in concert 34 times.

 

Betsey Johnson and Nutella flavored Gelato

 

I danced in my first Nutcracker the year I began studying ballet--I was even en pointe (which looking back, is pretty unheard of!)! I was a junior in high school and so excited to be given the opportunity! I danced flowers and snow in the production at the Tarrytown Music Hall by Ballet Atlantic. I remember watching the snow pas de deux and wanting to dance it so badly. It is one of my favorite memories to have been cast as snow queen 10 years later in a production in NYC! It was a wonderful and inspiring experience because many of the dancers I was fortunate to dance alongside are now dancing in major companies all over the world and have pushed me to work harder and expand my horizons.

 

Nutcracker to me means the official arrival of the holiday season. It brings a magic and enchantment to everyone who is involved, both on the stage and in the audience. It means family and celebration- joy and laughter.

 

It is such a special opportunity to be a child dancing alongside professional dancers in the Nutcracker. This is a perfect opportunity for children to become excited about dancing--to set goals for themselves in working hard and meeting personal expectations. It is a chance to become inspired but to understand how much hard work and dedication it takes to become a professional dancer. It is also extremely educational for young dancers to learn and experience what goes on backstage--the pace that a production takes on backstage is often not what the audience experiences. There may be stressful situations that arise, or mistakes that may happen, but in live productions the show always goes on. This ability to not get rattled or overwhelmed is something that young dancers can take with them into school and social situations that will help them to excel and keep their focus on the things that really matter.