What is your favorite thing about dancing at Ballet Arizona?

Balanchine! Definitely Balanchine. The program we have as a part of our annual repertoire is something that originally attracted me to this company. There is something so liberating about the movement and the way makes sense with the music. To be able to dance a Balanchine ballet and have that rewarding sense of accomplishment afterwards is really gratifying.

What advice would you give to young aspiring dancers?

So often we get carried away with what we see in the mirror and what we’re dissatisfied with. You can always strive for perfection, but in reality, it doesn’t exist. Instead, push yourself to do better and work harder. Ballet is always going to be challenging. If it’s ever easy, then you are not pushing yourself enough. You should never settle for complacency. There’s always more to strive for.

What do you do when you’re not training or performing on stage?

I recently enrolled in school and love to read in my spare time. Additionally, I teach ballet. I love working with young, aspiring dancers, passing on what I have learned so far and my experiences. It is so fun to see their growth. To see areas where I’m able to give them advice and have them apply it and see their progress. It’s really rewarding.

What is your greatest challenge as a dancer?

As a dancer, we must deal with the knowledge that our career is really limited and we only a short time on the stage. It’s a bittersweet reality. I put in so much energy, work, time, and so much of myself into what I’m doing. And yet it’s not something I’m going to be able to do forever. My challenge is to enjoy every day I have the opportunity to dance, no matter what it’s like, because I know it won’t last forever.