Is there a performance that you cherish, or look back on and laugh?

The cast of Russian Seasons was invited to perform in Spoleto, Italy. I believe it was in 2007. The stage was outdoors and completely exposed to the elements—there was no roof to cover the stage. All day, before that evening’sperformance, it poured rain. We were certain that the show would be cancelled. But the stagehands took to the stage with dozens of towels, mopped up the puddles, and it became clear that the show would go on. The ladies wore flat shoes rather than pointe shoes for safety, but otherwise, we performed Russian Seasons in its entirety on a very wet stage! After a while, we stopped counting the falls. (But for the sake of this story, I believe six dancers in total had serious spills.) We must’ve looked defeated because before we even finished, the audience just started clapping. We still talk about this epic performance! 



Are there any roles or ballets that you wish you’d had a chance to perform?


I wish I had gotten a chance to perform Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain Pas de Deux. I love the quietness of the piece and the subtle artistry required. I love the connection between the two dancers and the musicians. To me, the roles portray two humans rather than two dancers. I would have imagined and created an internal story to revel in. I’m sure I would have felt very human and beautiful in this role.

What are you looking forward to about this next phase in your life?

I am looking forward to being a person! During the pandemic, I fell in love with being a soccer mom and being available to pick my son up from school and fixing dinner each night. I am also completely enthralled with the field of law and I cannot wait to officially get started in 2022 after I graduate.

Do you have any special words of wisdom or helpful hints to share with dancers who are either new to the art form or to the Company?

Don’t believe all the bad stuff! You are beautiful just the way you are. You are enough. Support your fellow dancers. Listen to each other. Listen to your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, or something is bugging you, speak up. Know your worth and advocate for yourself where appropriate. Seek stimulation outside of dance. Find interests that take you away from dance’s mental headspace. Purposefully step outside your comfort zone whenever possible. If you are shy in social situations, say yes to every cocktail party and gala. If you hate speaking in public, start by teaching ballet classes. Build life skills that can take you outside of the dance world if you choose to pursue another career. After successfully completing a career as a professional ballet dancer, you can do anything!

What will you miss most about performing?

I will miss performing but mostly I will miss performing with some of my oldest and dearest friends. Many of us literally grew up together and have shared many special moments onstage. For me, I will miss dancing with JaredAngle in particular. He and I have known each other since about 1993. We have been dancing together nearly our entire careers (well, I am younger than him, so nearly MY entire career.) He knew me best. I always felt that when he was partnering me, he could predict my every move and would literally carry me through performances. He could tell which direction I was going to fling myself even before I did. When I developed crippling stage fright mid-career, he was a blessing because I did not have to be nervous about any of the difficult moves. Thank you, Jared! I will miss those shared experiences onstage the most!