Brittany Shinay - Pittsford Sutherland H.S.

Brittany Shinay may still be in high school, but she leads a dancer's life. We caught up with her during a rehearsal at the Draper School of Dance. "This piece is called "Kissing You," she says. "It's actually my third year of doing it in competition. Since 10th grade! It's my favorite solo."
The dance school is her home away from home. "I love it. I've been here for 9 years and I'm still so passionate about dancing." Last year, Brittany won top honors at the only student ballet competition in the country---the Youth America Grand Prix in New York. She went on to perform at the prestigious Spoleto Festival in Italy. The principal of the Draper School of Dance, Stefanie Kenney, calls Brittany a wonderful dancer and a true leader for the younger students. "She brings a certain something special to class," she says. "Whether it's class, rehearsal, or performance, I still get chills watching her and I watch her all the time." "I want to develop as an artist and share dance with the world," Brittany says. "We're lucky to be trained as dancers and to have this, and that's I want to do, it's my one goal, everyday. Share." As a soloist with the Rochester City Ballet, Brittany has danced the lead role in Cindarella, and the Snow Queen in the Nutcracker. Next year, she'll study at the Juilliard School in New York. It's not a loss for Rochester, it's a gain for the rest of the world, and the ballerina who so gracefully captures center stage!