I started dancing when I was two years old at Jaztabal dance center. I took Jazz, tap and ballet. When I was 12 I decided to try out The Ballet Studio in Ms. Victoria and Ms. Alyssa's Monday 5:15 class. My first dances were Drive By, Angels, and Breaking Dishes. I was so in love with this studio that the next year I decided to join the competition team. I remember walking into summer dance camp scared out of my mind. The first person who talked to me in the waiting room was Caitlin Kazanski. She then helped me get to know everyone and I immediately felt at home! Joining this team was the best decision I ever made. My favorite productions that I competed in will have to be "The Wizard of Oz" where I had my first character part as the wicked witch and the 2017 version of "Cats". My first nationals with TBS was the Beyond the Stars national finals in Atlantic City where we competed with Oz and "Crazy in Love". I've had three solos in competition, but one I will never forget is "She Used to Be Mine" choreographed by Ms. Corinne. I competed with this solo my junior year at TBS and got my first platinum as well as a special judges award for "so much potential." I would like to thank Ms. Sherri, Ms. Alyssa, Ms. Cara, and Ms. Corinne. In the last four years of competition, they always pushed me to be my absolute best and never once let me say "I can't do that." I may not have been at this studio as long as many girls have, but I can say that I've made a family here. I now have a great group of best friends that I feel like I've known my entire life. After graduating from Northern Burlington County Regional High School in June, I plan to go to school and possibly study dance. I will never forget Ms. Lisa's incredible pep talks and when many of the students pitched in and bought a new CD player for the studio and gifted it to her at the recital in 2015. I will truly miss everyone at this studio, and I hope to come back and teach sometime in the future! Thank you to everyone who has helped make these last six years at the ballet studio unforgettable. I love you all!

I started dancing at The Ballet Studio at the age of 3. My neighbor danced at the studio and while watching her, I decided that I wanted to follow in her footsteps. My first dance was Yellow Polka Dot Bikini the Elmo version choreographed by Ms. Alicia. I participated every year with Jazz, Ballet and Lyrical. I soon became interested in Hip-Hop. I signed up to take Ms. Cara's class with Jenna Lucas and we still talk about dancing to our favorite number, Disturbia. One of the best things about the studio is being on the competition team. My 2017 jazz solo was Hearbeat where I was honored to receive the judges' award for awesome accents. I love dancing with my friends and showcasing my solo, choreographed by Ms. Amanda. She is one of the most talented, incredible people I have ever known. I am so sad that this is my final year at The Ballet Studio, but I know I will most definitely be back. I plan on being on a dance team in college and look forward to continuing my journey.

I am so grateful to be dancing at The Ballet Studio my senior year. For 15 years, I have grown up in the studio, surrounded by wonderful role models and friends. I began dancing at TBS when I was 2 years old and have loved dancing here ever since. I joined the competition team when I was only 6 years old, the youngest sailor in In the Navy. Through the many years at The Ballet Studio, my passion for dance has grown and I have learned many life lessons. I have been able to take these skills with me as I have been the dance captain for 3 years at Villa Victoria Academy. As dance captain, I am a leader and role model to the girls in the school musicals. When I graduate Villa Victoria Academy, my goal is to continue in my love of performance by majoring in Theatre Studies at Montclair State University. I would like to thank all of the wonderful teachers who have helped shape me as a dancer and as a person. I would especially like to thank my mom, Miss Brenda, for being my greatest teacher (in and out of the studio) and allowing me to pursue my dreams. To Miss Lisa, thank you for providing me a space I will always come back to and call home.

I've been dancing at The Ballet Studio since I was in 4th grade. I originally started dancing at age four at The Professional Center for Dance. My favorite type of dance is hip hop, but I also enjoy lyrical and jazz. I have also been playing field hockey since 8th grade and I run the 800 and 1600 meters in track, which I have been doing since I was a freshman. After I graduate from Bordentown Regional High School this June, I plan on attending college to obtain a degree in nutrition. I’ve really enjoyed dancing all these years and will miss my great teachers and the wonderful friends I made at The Ballet Studio.

I started dancing when I was three years old. My mom signed me up for classes because I wouldn't stop dancing all over the house and at the time neither of us expected dance to become as engrained in my life as it has. Dance truly is a part of my life and a part of me that I am so grateful for. Before I came to TBS I never knew that a studio I was at could feel so much like home. When I came to the studio I was about twelve years old and to this day I'm so grateful that I came here. The relationships I've built with my teachers and friends is something I'll be forever grateful for and I know that no matter how far away I am, I'll always have this place to come home to.

When I was 3 years old, I was a typical younger sister who wanted to follow in suit of her older sibling. Naturally, when my older sister began to dance I begged my mother to let me start dance too. Little did I know, dance would become a much bigger part of my life than just a weekly one hour class. While I didn't start dancing at The Ballet Studio until I was 11 years old, it quickly introduced me to a new side of dance that I had never experienced. Before TBS, I had never learned to dance in a way that connected music, emotions, and movements. It became a form of expression that I finally understood. As I got older I learned the value behind becoming both a well-rounded dancer and person. I am so grateful for environment TBS created that allowed me to participate in activities like cheer and my school musical while still being able to dance competitively. But most of all I am grateful for the friends I have made during my time at TBS. Both the students and staff quickly invited me in to the TBS family and made every class fun. I learned valuable lessons that will follow me throughout the rest of my life. I hope to continue dancing in college and I will never forget the experiences that The Ballet Studio has enabled me to go through.