Ballet has been my whole life for as long as I can remember. Every plié, every pirouette, and every hour at the barre has shaped me not just as a dancer but as a person. What started as a love for movement has become a calling. Ballet is how I worship, how I express myself, and how I share the grace God has given me. It is not just something I do. It is a part of who I am.
When I dance, I feel completely free. It is the one place where everything else fades away and I can just be present. I do not need words to tell a story. Each movement is a way to speak from the heart. There is a quiet strength in ballet that has taught me to be focused, resilient, and honest. When I dance, I feel like I am exactly where I am meant to be.
I come from a small town in rural Georgia where opportunities are limited and resources are tight. My family lives in a manufactured home, and we have faced a lot of financial challenges. But God has opened doors that no one else could. My dad works multiple jobs to support my training. My mom drives over an hour every day so I can study classical ballet. The sacrifices we make are real, but I dance with purpose because I know none of this is by accident.
To help out, I have taken on many roles. I teach private ballet lessons and choreograph solos. I model and create content for dancewear brands. I offer wedding ballet services, perform at events, and even host princess parties as Princess Tiana. Every job I do is a way to give back, grow my skills, and help my family afford this journey. I am learning how to be not only a dancer but a young entrepreneur with a mission.
Faith is the foundation of everything I do. God gave me this gift, and I want to use it to glorify Him. Even in tough moments, I trust that He has a plan for me. Being the only Black girl in many of my classes has been hard, but it has also given me strength. I dance for every little Black girl who has ever felt like she did not belong in ballet. I want to show them that they do. When people question my success or assume I only got here because of how I look, I let my work speak for itself. I have earned every opportunity through hard work, prayer, and persistence.
In addition to dancing, I am the author of the Chasing Grace book series. These stories are inspired by my own journey and are written for kids and teens who are chasing big dreams. I want young artists to know that even if life is hard, they can rise with courage, trust God, and keep going. Writing is another way I share hope, and I love hearing how the series inspires others.
Even though I train in jazz, contemporary, tap, ballroom, and modern, ballet is where I feel most at home. It is my foundation and my passion. This spring I will complete 2 semesters of Cary Ballet's Professional Training Program. I have learned so much and I'm excited to take my training to the next level. My goal is to join a professional company and tell meaningful stories through performance. I want my dancing to reflect my faith, my culture, and my commitment to excellence.
Everything I do, from performing to teaching to writing, is about chasing grace. I am not just working toward a dream. I am walking in my purpose.