Instead of going to third period carrying their notebooks, some students are going to rehearsal carrying their pointe shoes.
Many students took ballet classes as kids, but for some it has become the focal point in their lives. For them, ballet is more than just a beautiful art form; it becomes a quintessential part of who they are.
Junior Constance Cabanes said she decided to leave the high school to pursue dance full time at BalletMet. Cabanes started dancing because her sister was taking a hip hop class, and she wanted to be like her, she explained.
After many years, Cabanes said she and her teachers decided she would not go to a normal high school. This way, she could become a trainee to increase her chances of becoming a professional, she explained.
“My teachers told me the program would be a good idea for me,” Cabanes said. “A lot of times, you have to leave high school.”
Cabanes explained once she turns 18, she will audition for professional companies and will take college classes online. She added there is still a big risk because there’s no guarantee she will get a job after completing the trainee program.
She has a good friend group at school that still includes her, so she is able to go to school events, Cabanes said.
However, she explained she still feels excluded at times.
“One thing I miss the most about high school isn’t the classes necessarily, but seeing people, because I don’t see a lot of people outside of dance,” she said.
Senior Sophia Spiess said she made a decision to only go to school in the morning so she could take more classes at Columbus Dance Theatre.
When she was 3 years old, she was put into dance and gymnastics, she said. After doing both, she was told to pick only one to continue, Spiess explained.
“I’ve done a lot of other sports, but overall I’ve just found more of a community and connection with dance,” she added.
Spiess said she will audition for college dance programs after high school.
Spiess explained sometimes you have to choose between dance and socializing.
Sophomore Josie Levy, a dancer at CDT who attends school full time, explained participating in dance can be physically and mentally exhausting.
“It can be kind of draining some days, and then going from that into doing homework,” Levy said.
However, dance is like family, she added.
“There are so many new people you meet, and you can make good connections,” she explained.
Cabanes said one of the struggles she faces is being confident so she can focus on the other parts of dance.
“Trusting myself was tough, and trusting the technique I’ve learned was tough,” she explained.
Spiess added it’s difficult to dance several hours every day.
“I get burnt out a lot, and dancing so much and for so long every week can be really taxing on your mental health and body,” she added.
Spiess explained being a role model for the younger dancers is a major motivator.
“It’s nice to see them look up to you,” she said. “It gives you something to dance for.”
When struggling with dance, Levy said she tries to focus on the good aspects.
“I just try to think positively because dance is something I enjoy,” she said.
Cabanes explained she sometimes needs to remind herself why she dances.
“I just try to remember I’m doing this all for fun and that’s the main goal,” she said.
Cabanes added dance has introduced her to lifelong friends.
“The people it brought me, I really am grateful for,” she said. “I have amazing friends that will be friends for a lifetime.”
