~ This post is the first in a series profiling the Infinity Ballet Theatre company dancers. ~

On January 23rd through 25th, four of the Infinity company members traveled to Atlanta with Miss Debbie and Miss Cari-Lenn and parents to compete at the Youth American Grand Prix. They all enjoyed and benefited from the chance to take master classes with instructors from around the country, to perform classical variations and contemporary pieces they had perfected with the choreography and coaching help of the Infinity faculty, and to interact with and measure themselves against other young, aspiring dancers.

Anna-Marie Kool:

Why did you decide to compete at Youth American Grand Prix?Anna Marie in Odalisque

I love the process. I love working on a variation, and then showing the judges who I am and what I’ve worked hard to accomplish. I decided to compete at YAGP because it challenges me in many ways and I feel it makes me stronger as a person.

What was your favorite aspect of YAGP?

I enjoyed being amongst many dancers who love dance like I do. I love being inspired by all of the different levels that are represented there.

What did you learn about yourself as a dancer through YAGP?

I learned that I should “go confidently in the direction of my dreams” because I have what it takes to accomplish what I want to. (Henry David Thoreau)

What do you hope to accomplish in your dancing career?

I hope to dance professionally with a company somewhere. I want to inspire others to go after their dreams, as many great artists did for me.

What is your greatest inspiration to dance?

A lot of things inspire me. I think that, as a dancer, if you are never inspired, your passion and drive for what you want begins to fade away. I am inspired by many of the great classical ballet dancers of the world and also by Professor Peggy Willis-Aarnio for her efforts to keep ballet a pure art form. I am inspired also by my teachers at Infinity because they push me to work hard to that I can get to my potential and to where I want to be as a dancer and a human being.

Ellie Fagan:

Why did you decide to compete at Youth American Grand Prix?Ellie Fagan

I felt that I needed to see where I stood at the level of competition and to get some real world experience. Also, I wanted to be able to take on the different characters of any variation or ballet with ease.

What was your favorite aspect of YAGP?

I think rehearsing one-on-one with instructors was very beneficial because I was able to see exactly what I needed to work on in the lesson so I could apply it to performing.

What did you learn about yourself as a dancer through YAGP?

I learned that if I want this for myself, I can make it happen, but I also learned that I am nowhere near being the best, and lots of other dancers want this too.

What do you hope to accomplish in your dancing career?

Specifically, I would like to be a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre or New York City Ballet. But generally, I just want to be able to move an audience with my dancing.

What is your greatest inspiration to dance?

I find Misty Copeland very inspiring and if she can become a professional, so can I. I also like to look at the progress I’ve made, even in just the last couple months, so I know if I continue to grow, I can be great.

Alisha Agrawal:

Why did you decide to compete at Youth American Grand Prix?Anna and Alisha

I wanted to improve my dancing by learning classical variations.

What was your favorite aspect of YAGP?

My favorite aspect was getting to take master classes.

What did you learn about yourself as a dancer through YAGP?

I learned that I could stay upright on a very slippery stage!

What is your greatest inspiration to dance?

My inspiration is from within me, because dance is a part of me and is something I love to do.

Katherine Lane:

Why did you decide to compete at Youth American Grand Prix?Katherine Lane

For the experience of performing in a more demanding environment and for the chance to begin being seen by artistic directors.

What was your favorite aspect of YAGP?

Performing. I just really enjoy performing. I really enjoyed everything about it – the master classes were great; I enjoyed watching the other performers and also hanging out with the other girls.

What did you learn about yourself as a dancer through YAGP?

I thought I would get nervous, but adrenaline kicked in and I felt at ease.

What do you hope to accomplish in your dancing career?

I hope to dance in a professional ballet company.

What is your greatest inspiration to dance?

I don’t know. I dance because I need to, because I have to.