When growing up, every young person aspires to be something special. For those who wish to become professional dancers, the road is not an easy one. Many study, train and work long hours for years towards achieving this goal, and even then, it can be beyond their reach. Of course, with proper training, a teacher can bring out the best in their students. The lifestyle and training of an aspiring professional dancer is one that requires talent, dedication, sacrifice and hours of perfecting their technique.

Brooke DiFrancesco, 17, of Seekonk, MA, student of Herci Marsden, Artistic Director of Brae Crest School of Classical Ballet and The State Ballet of Rhode Island, is one of the few for whom the years of hard work and dedication have paid off. Brooke entered the school in 1998, and was then accepted into the company in 1999. She has danced as an SBRI soloist for over three years. In the fall of 2006, Brooke was accepted into the winter program at the Boston Ballet School. She made her debut on stage as a Sugar Plum Fairy Attendant in the Boston Ballet production of The Nutcracker.

For Brooke, the dream has begun to materialize. This success has inspired many others within The State Ballet of Rhode Island and the Brae Crest School. For them, it has become a realization that dreams can become reality through hard work and dedication, while also inspiring them to reach for their dreams in their lives, onstage and off.

by Jarrod Ponton and Alexandra Rose
Supporters of the Arts