The Summer Program Office sat down with Emily Tyra, SDP student in 2005 and currently in Boston Ballet's Pre-Professional Program to hear the story of how she started dancing, what keeps her inspired and passionate about ballet and her experience at Boston Ballet School.

 

SPO (Summer Programs Office): How and why did you begin dancing?

 

Emily: I started dancing when I was younger because my friends were going to dance class.  It was more of a social thing when I first started and then later I began to take it more seriously.  I didn't take ballet intensively until I was 14 years old.  Before then I was mostly taking tap and jazz at the Dance Shop, and then I moved to Colorado for a year and took class at Rocky Mountain Dance Company.  I started taking classes at Ballet Arts in Minnesota after that.

 

SPO: Why did you select Summer Dance Program?

 

Emily: I was interested in attending the year-round Pre-Professional Program starting in the fall and wanted to see what it would be like here.

 

SPO: What was the most beneficial part of the program for you?

 

Emily: Learning different types of repertory.  I learned how to be adaptable to different styles… learning a neo-classical piece at the same time as classical, for example.

 

SPO: What was your favorite class?

 

Emily: I liked the Symphonie [Concertante] rehearsals a lot.  I never did Balanchine before.  I kept thinking how I had never moved this fast in my life!  And I ended up loving it because I conquered the fear of doing that piece.

 

SPO: In what areas do you think that you are stronger because of summer training?

 

Emily: I gained more experience in repertoire and overall strength in my turnout and port de bras.  I refined a lot of areas.

 

SPO: What did you think about the residential life?

 

Emily: It's a useful experience to be somewhere where you have to be on your own and be responsible.  I met up with people I've met before and that was great in terms of building a network.

 

SPO: What continues to inspire you and keep you passionate about ballet?

 

Emily: When I see professionals and think, I want to do that, I want to be that – it keeps me going.  I have so many favorite professional dancers and I like something different about each one.  I'm inspired by them when I see them telling a story on stage and expressing something to the audience.  That's what I want to do – I want to touch people, inspire them.  It's not about how high I can kick my leg.  I love to be on stage.  I get a rush when I go out there, and when I only have 1 or 2 chances to do it I want to be happy with what I gave.

 

SPO: Thanks for your time, Emily.  Is there anything else you'd like to add?

 

Emily: I love Boston Ballet!