Sarah began her dance training in MD at the age of 2, attending Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts until age 14. She studied at Baltimore School for the Arts before attending a summer intensive at The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, where she received a full scholarship to train under the direction of Bo and Stephanie Spassoff. Sarah has attended summer intensives with the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, The Rock School and Chautauqua School of Dance, where, in 2014, she was awarded with the Artistic Director Award for Overall Excellence and Faculty Award for Technical Merit. In 2015, Sarah was named a National YoungArts Foundation Winner for ballet. She was nominated as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts semi-finalist and received second place at regionals for the World Ballet Competition and Youth America Grand Prix. In April 2015, Sarah was a guest artist with The Washington Ballet, performing in Swan Lake featuring Misty Copeland and Brooklyn Mack. This is Sarah’s second season with Charlotte Ballet.
Where are you from?
I am from Bel Air, a small town in Maryland.
What made you move to the Carolinas?
I moved to the Carolinas after being offered and accepting a contract as a performing artist with Charlotte Ballet.
What is your typical day like as a professional ballerina?
A typical day in the life of a professional ballerina...wake up early morning around 7:00 am, eat a healthy breakfast, and get ready for work which involves putting my hair up into a bun or French twist. I live in Uptown Charlotte close to Charlotte Ballet, so I walk to the studios by 9:00am, warm up for company class which starts at 9:30 am and finishes at 11:00 am. I typically have a 15 minute break before rehearsals start at 11:15 am. I break at 2:15 pm for an hour lunch and continue rehearsing until 6:15 pm. After work I go home, prepare and eat dinner, and work on my college courses. I am also working towards my bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. I start cuddling with my cat, Peanut, and typically go to bed around 10:30pm.
Which Charlotte Ballet performance are you most looking forward to this year and why?
I am most looking forward to our first performance of the season, Fall Works, because of the repertoire we will be performing. We have been rehearsing Dwight Roden's "The Groove" and Ohad Naharin's "Minus 16." It's going to be a great double feature; I will get to experience the work of a choreographer I have never danced before, Ohad Naharin, which has me most excited!
What do you love about living in Uptown Charlotte?
I love that my commute to work is short, and the skyline of the city takes my breath away every time I catch a glimpse from my apartment.
Favorite indulgences?
Cats, coloring, walking dogs, biking, and making sushi.
Check out Sarah on Instagram!
