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An Invitation to the Dance


 

While attending a local meet and greet event I noticed a young woman whose posture was so exquisite that I immediately thought she must be a dancer. Still, I didn’t feel it would be appropriate to waltz on up and say, “You must be a dancer!” It felt rather like assuming that any tall, young person must be a basketball player or anyone with a mellifluous speaking voice is surely a radio announcer. 

So I held my tongue.

Later I overheard someone (who clearly knew her well) ask her about her dancing. Aha! I thought. I was right.

The young woman is Taylor Fikes. She is professional ballerina with Opera Nationala din lasi, Romania.

Photos from Taylor Fikes promotional materials

Here’s a brief bio from her time with the Atlanta Ballet:

Ms. Fikes began her formal ballet training in 2008 at Baltimore School for the Arts. In 2010, she enrolled in the Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington, D.C. As a recipient of the U.S. State Department and Russian American Foundation’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship, Taylor trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia for six weeks. This opportunity was the springboard to her acceptance as a full-time student with the Bolshoi. Following her time in Moscow, Taylor moved to New York City to attend the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet and to begin her college studies at Columbia University. Ultimately, Taylor decided to commit herself to a career in ballet and accepted an offer to join the Joffrey Academy Trainee Program in Chicago. Taylor’s time at Joffrey exposed her to a multitude of opportunities and experiences that have served as catalysts to her acceptance to join Atlanta Ballet. - - Atlanta Ballet, 2017

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a professional dancer, Fikes is offering an opportunity to see into her world. From the Facebook event page:

Professional Ballerina- Experience a Day at My Office

  • Sunday, July 16, 2023 
  • 2:15 PM - 4 PM 
  • Harriet Tubman School
  • 1 hr 45 min

Interested? Here’s what you can expect:

A Day in the Life of Taylor Fikes, professional ballerina with Opera Nationala din lasi, Romania

*Tales of the Studio - USA vs. Europe

*Tools of the Trade

*How to find the Right Studio for You

*What I Eat in a Day

*Movement Demonstration

Come spend the afternoon exploring what it takes to be a professional in the art of Classical Ballet.

This event is for parents, students, and ballet lovers. All are welcome!

Taylor Fikes has danced professionally in both Europe and America, and would like to take a moment to give you a glimpse into ballerina life. You will enjoy an immersive discussion and experience. Come with your questions in comfortable clothes. Movement is encouraged, but not required.

If the name Fikes rings a bell to you, it may be because you remember this article featuring her mother, Cynthia Fikes:

A Suburb Designed to End Redlining Is Fighting Luxury Condofication, Gregory Scruggs, New City

More likely you are familiar with her community activism, including a stint as President of the Columbia Democratic Club. Of course, most young folks would like to be known for themselves rather than as an extension of their parents. But I thought you might be wondering what the local connection was.

It’s that local, home connection that brings Taylor Fikes to Columbia - - and her event this Sunday - -  to the Harriet Tubman Center.

It’s open to both adults and young people. If you have an aspiring dancer at you house, this is a great opportunity to see and hear from someone doing what they love. 

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