I fell forever in love with ballet at the age of 3. My parents took me to see 'The Nutcracker'. I remember clapping continuously throughout the show and my mom kept whispering for me to stop. I was just so enamored at the girls in pointe shoes. After the show I begged and begged for a pair of my own....I recall that longing when I look down at my bruised and ingrown toenails and as I limp out of rehearsals....

 

A four word question has had me thinking for over 15 minutes. Of course I have been asked this before, but I never feel as if I provide a solid answer. I owe my happiest moments and most fulfilling accomplishments to dancing. Likewise, I have endured many heartaches and disappointments due to difficult days or what I feel I lack as technician or artist. In the end, the positive weighs out the negative tenfold. 

 

There is nothing in the world I hate more than auditioning. I can't calm my nerves and I end up messing things up that I normally wouldn't. 

 

 

I get to live every little girls dream! I can wear a tiara with a purpose! I am a princess or a fairy and get to wear fake eyelashes and sparkles! More seriously, there is nothing that compares to moments on stage where you can let go completely by forgetting  about the choreography, becoming your character, and being completely vulnerable. 

 

 

I am addicted to Bikram Yoga ('hot yoga') and practice a few times every week.  I also take advantage of the city night life and all New York has to offer as far as exquisite restaurants and fabulous shopping. 

 

 

How about some things that only a few know? I go through almost a pack of '5' gum everyday. If there was a fire I would grab as many of my shoes as I could and run. Bananas make me gag. I have a recurring dream about me walking on a rickety bridge over turbulent waters of whales and sharks. I can do the pretzel. If I could change my name I would change it to Scarlett. I drink a venti, soy, extra foamy, 4 splenda, misto almost every morning. I love 80's music and proud of it. I hope to one day be on the bachelor and I would cause all the drama. 

 

Frozen yogurt, pumpkin spice lattes, manicures, shoe shopping, getting my hair done, cabernet

 

 

I was a soldier in 2002 with BalletMet. We wore hideous yellow pants and green pointy hats. I was on stage for a total of about 2 minutes and got to dance with a rifle which was almost as long as me. 

 

 

It means that its Christmas time, of course!! Every year I find myself reminiscing and sharing stories of past Nutcrackers with new and old friends. It means that I will be listening to Waltz of the Flowers 8000 times a day and that I need to stock up on advil. I also get to look forward to those super fun dreams where you're supposed to be on stage but you misplaced your costume or all the sudden you hear your music and your hair isn't done yet. More seriously, its a very special ballet to me because it is the first ballet I saw and I knew when I saw it that it was what I wanted to do forever. I now have the privilege of being the performer and hopefully I inspire young girls as I once was. 

 

 

For those watching, know that SO much time and effort goes into bringing the performance to life. Without the help of hundreds of people, (many who are volunteers or people you will never even see) the show would simply be impossible. From the backstage crew, to the costume designers, the electricians and marketing staff, everyone works together as team to bring you a beautiful show! For those in the show, watch the professional dancers. Are they chatting with their friends in the back or practicing? Do they take corrections well and ask intelligent questions to the director? Do they know multiple roles even if they aren't officially cast in a part? They are good role models and they are professional dancers because they worked very hard---and still do everyday--- to be the dancer they are and to be dancing with a company. 

 

I love the party scene!! One of my favorite parts of dancing is the acting and the character I get to create for myself in my mind. Even if no one has given me a defined character, I create one for myself and that way my dancing and artistry has meaning. Also, the snow pas de deux makes me cry almost every time. The music is so incredibly beautiful.