Q: TELL US WHEN YOU BECAME A DANCER?
A: I was 13 when I started dancing. It was always something I loved, and I decided to give it a shot at a tiny dance studio in my home town. I fell in love with it. I was determined to catch up with other girls my age. My mom used to drive me an hour and a half each way so I could take ballet classes. She sacrificed countless hours for me, and I am forever grateful. Now, here I am!
Q: WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE WOULDN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
A: I love to cook! I always look forward to making dinner in the evening, as it’s a chance to practice my knife skills, and expand my pallet. Also, I choreographed and filmed a piece over the quarantine, called “Is Inevitable, Is Optional”. It’s featured on Houston Ballet’s YouTube channel if you want to check it out!
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY ‘WORDS TO LIVE BY’ THAT HAVE HELPED YOU THROUGH THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES?
A: “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”. That has been my go to phrase when things are looking down this past year. Obviously bad things are going to happen, but the choice is yours. Will you dwell on it? Or will you learn from it and keep moving forward?
Q: WHO INSPIRES YOU?
A: Every day I walk into the studio I’m surrounded by hardworking people who are passionate about what they do. Being in that kind of environment is such a privilege, and is part of what make dancing so wonderful.
Top Photograph by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios. Bottom Photograph by Ashkan Roayaee.
