Prima Ballerinas 359

## Skylar Brandt: A Ballerina’s Journey The world of ballet has always felt like a second skin to me. It wasn’t just the way my body moved, gracefully extending and flexing with the music, but the way my mind, too, felt attuned to its rhythms. The silence before a performance, the anticipation buzzing in the air, the thrill of taking that first step onto the stage - it all felt like coming home. My name is Skylar Brandt, and I was born in 1993 in the heart of America. I remember those first tentative steps, taking them in my grandmother’s living room, mimicking the ballerinas I saw on television. I was four years old, and my life was about to change forever. My parents, never ones to dissuade my passion, enrolled me in ballet classes. The world of the barre and the centre suddenly became my reality. I would spend countless hours perfecting my pirouettes and fouetté turns, memorizing combinations, feeling the exhilaration of finally executing them with grace and ease. **My formative years in ballet were a kaleidoscope of emotions.** The joy of mastering a new move, the frustration of not quite getting it right, the intense competition within our classes, and the undeniable sense of camaraderie that bloomed between my fellow dancers. I remember feeling a unique kinship with my peers, bound together by our shared passion and the demanding discipline we all willingly embraced. There were those who I still consider friends today, fellow artists whose journey intertwined with mine, contributing to my growth and fostering my artistry. **A pivotal moment came at the age of 14, when I joined the renowned American Ballet Theatre (ABT) school.** It was an ambitious step for a teenager, leaving the comfort of home for the unfamiliar world of New York City, where the energy hummed with ambition and artistry. Here, amongst the talented young dancers from all corners of the world, I began to truly understand the level of dedication required to reach the pinnacle of this art form. **The early years were marked by rigorous training:** long days, aching muscles, endless repetition of basic steps, each session aimed at pushing the boundaries of my physical and mental capabilities. It was gruelling, demanding every ounce of strength and perseverance, but also immensely rewarding. **Within the school’s walls, I began to truly understand the beauty and the complexity of ballet. I studied with the very best, masters like Stanley Williams, the legendary artistic director of ABT.** Under his guidance, I began to grasp the deeper layers of classical ballet, discovering the history and evolution of this art form, its intricate steps, and its inherent artistry. The classroom wasn’t just a place of instruction, it was a haven, a crucible of creativity. I thrived in the supportive atmosphere, nurtured by my peers and instructors who constantly challenged and encouraged me. But there was also a constant reminder, the looming audition for the ABT corps de ballet. At 16, the day I had been working towards finally arrived. I felt a mix of excitement and fear. This audition would determine my path forward. Would I be deemed worthy of joining the prestigious corps, or would my journey end there? The experience itself was nerve-wracking. The atmosphere in the studio buzzed with nervous energy. Watching seasoned professionals grace the stage with seemingly effortless precision, I could feel my confidence wavering. However, my years of training kicked in, my instincts took over, and I gave it my all. Every plié, every relevé, every arabesque, imbued with every ounce of passion and dedication. Then came the agonizing wait for the results. Weeks stretched into months, filled with uncertainty. Finally, the letter arrived. My heart pounded as I tore it open. The words, a symphony of relief and joy, confirmed my place in the corps de ballet of the American Ballet Theatre. It was the start of a dream, a culmination of years of tireless dedication and perseverance. **The corps de ballet is the foundation of every performance, the chorus that brings a ballet to life.** It is a rigorous and demanding environment, requiring impeccable synchronicity, absolute precision, and unwavering dedication to every detail. I remember feeling both exhilarated and intimidated by the sheer volume of the production schedule, each performance pushing us to the edge of our endurance. It was a ballet marathon, a constant cycle of rehearsals, performances, and rigorous physical therapy to keep us in peak condition. I relished the opportunities, the sheer volume of ballet masterpieces I got to perform in. My debut on the famed Metropolitan Opera stage was a watershed moment. My heart swelled with pride as I joined the ranks of legendary dancers, executing every pirouette, every jump with confidence, finally fulfilling a lifelong ambition. **As the years rolled by, I began to sense a shift within me. A need for a different form of artistic expression.** The corps, while exhilarating, had become almost mechanical. The rigid structure, while necessary, began to stifle my own artistic expression. I yearned for a deeper engagement, a chance to develop my own voice, to bring my personal interpretation to the art of ballet. This realization was fuelled by watching the company's soloists, particularly those who possessed an unmatched charisma, dancers like Paloma Herrera and Julie Kent. They commanded the stage, their performances radiating their individuality and a unique story. This inspired me, setting my heart ablaze with an ambition to explore beyond the disciplined confines of the corps. At 21, my ambition crystallised. I secured a role as a soloist. It was a thrilling and terrifying moment. The pressure of becoming a soloist felt immense. I had to bring something unique, a distinctive presence, a personal voice to every piece. It was a transition from being a cog in a larger machine to becoming a solo star, each performance requiring a nuanced approach. I threw myself into my new role with a fierce determination, spending countless hours in the studio, working with my coaches to refine my technique and find my own voice within each choreography. There was a sense of artistic liberation that came with being a soloist, a chance to truly connect with the audience through my own expression and interpretational skills. One particularly significant moment came during my performance of "Giselle." This classic ballet allows dancers to pour their emotions onto the stage, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and death. I felt deeply connected to Giselle's journey, her passion and heartbreak. It was my most deeply personal performance, allowing me to convey the range of human emotions, something I always desired to achieve in ballet. The years that followed were filled with captivating performances, collaborations with legendary choreographers, and recognition for my contribution to the art form. It was a journey that taught me invaluable lessons about self-discovery, pushing my physical and creative boundaries, and navigating the complexities of the ballet world. My ballet career is a journey, one that is constantly evolving, always pushing me to challenge myself. There have been exhilarating moments of triumph and discouraging ones that have forced me to delve deeper within myself to discover my resilience. However, it has been more than just a dance career. It has been a transformative life journey. Ballet, for me, has been a way of life. Its disciplined beauty has infused every facet of my being, demanding that I give my all, leaving me with nothing but pure and joyful exhaustion at the end of each day. It has given me a purpose, a reason to pursue excellence and to continue pushing my own limits, to be the best version of myself both on and off the stage. But beyond the stage, there lies another chapter. A chapter I am writing now, driven by the passion that ballet has ignited within me. I have discovered a new form of expression, another avenue to share my journey and celebrate this beautiful art form. This time, it’s with pen in hand. I’ve published a memoir, a book about the highs and lows, the joy and the sorrow, the exhilaration and the despair, the highs and the lows of being a professional ballerina. My ballet story continues. Each performance is an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to rediscover my passion. The journey has just begun. And while the end may be far away, the future shines bright. With each leap, with each turn, with each graceful step, I aim to weave my story into the fabric of the ballet world, contributing to the timeless artistry of this magnificent dance form.