The epitome of grace

Love of dance calls teen to New York City

Beauty and grace: Amy Tolbert, 13, recently attended an intense summer camp offered by the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York City.
Beauty and grace: Amy Tolbert, 13, recently attended an intense summer camp offered by the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York City.

After 10 years of practicing, Amy Tolbert, 13, danced her way into New York City’s prestigious Joffrey Ballet School’s intensive summer program.

Amy, who is a student at Barton Junior High School and a cheerleader, enjoys dancing more than anything.

She has taken dance courses from Bravo Dance Centre, under the instruction of Amber Michael and Clanice Brown. Her class list includes classical ballet, lyrical, pointe, jazz, hip hop, tap, gymnastics and technique classes.

Her mother, Whitney Tolbert, has watched her daughter over the past few years as she has sought out opportunities to improve her dancing skills and techniques. From additional classes out of Little Rock to private instruction, Amy had prepared for the audition she was going to attend. She wanted to audition for the world renowned Joffrey Ballet School’s intensive summer program.

There were audition spots around the United States, including one in Little Rock. The audition was open to students ages 12-25 and included a 90-minute dance class with a master instructor from Joffrey. The audition required barre and center work as well as combinations.

Within two weeks of the audition, Amy received her acceptance letter via email. She had another decision to make. She was accepted into multiple intensives – ballet, musical theater and character dance. After reviewing the different programs and coursework offered, Amy decided to take the character dance intensive. The class would offer pointe, as well as international dance styles such as African and Flamenco that made her dancing so culturally diverse. The course was led by artistic director and master choreographer Larisa Calero.

Calero was born, raised and trained in Moscow, Russia. She was a principal dancer with the Moisseyev Ballet Company and received her master’s degree in choreography from the Russian Academy of Theatrical Art.

To physically prepare for the intense week of dancing, Amy worked with her dance instructor who provided additional dance classes and prepared strengthening and stretching exercise routines. She also cross-trained by swimming 90 minutes, four times a week, under the direction of Coach Farrin Cain at HealthWorks Fitness Center in El Dorado.

Once arriving in New York, Amy moved her belongings into an apartment in Greenwich Village. The Grove Street apartment offers year-round housing for Joffrey Ballet students. She shared a suite with four other dancers from Florida, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Mexico. A chaperone traveled with the girls daily on the subway and to and from class.

The program emphasized the performing side of dance and delivering the story. Each day consisted of conditioning and stretching classes, barre and pointe work. Amy was also introduced to new dance techniques and dance students from around the world. There were students from Russia, Australia, Spain and Mexico to experience the intensive course.

At the end of the week, students participated in a “World of Character” performance, where they demonstrated what was learned during the week. When Amy wasn’t dancing, she tried to experience as much of the city as possible – rowing in Central Park, viewing the city at night and celebrating her 13th birthday at Rockefeller Center.

She was also able to attend Swan Lake and Cinderella Ballets at the Metropolitan Opera House at the Lincoln Center.

Amy described her experience as, “awesome,” and “a great opportunity to improve on dancing and make new friendships.”

As she looks to the future, Amy said she will continue preparations for winter auditions and the possibility of more summer intensive opportunities.

She dreams of becoming a professional dancer and owning her own studio where she can teach others about her love – the art of dance.

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