55 - Isabella LaFrenieare, Apprentice ~ NYCB

Isabella is a graduating high school senior who is also dancing professionally as an apprentice with NYCB a prestigious honor provided to few.  Isabella grew up living in many states but wound up for many years living in Illinois in a suburb outside of Chicago.  She would travel 1 1/2 hours each way into the city to train at the Joffrey Ballet.  When Isabella was entering into her 9th grade year she auditioned for the School of American Ballet (SAB) winter term and was accepted.  SAB which is the official training academy of the New York City Ballet. After the SAB Workshop performances in her 11th grade year, Isabella was asked to be an Apprentice.  During her senior year of high school Isabella has been juggling a full load of school and dancing professionally with the NYCB company.  Today we learn more about what it is like to be an apprentice in one of the top companies in the world. Nearly all of the current members of New York City Ballet received training at the School of American Ballet and entered the Company through the Apprentice Program, which is jointly administered by NYCB and SAB. Only students enrolled at the School are eligible for apprenticeships. NYCB does not hold auditions. Each year, NYCB Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins invites a small number of advanced students, usually ranging in age from 16 to 18, to become apprentices, providing the first stage of their professional careers. Apprentices take class and rehearse with the Company six days a week at NYCB’s Lincoln Center facilities.