Brittany Shinay - Pittsford Sutherland H.S.
By: Maureen McGuire
Updated: May 8, 2008
(PITTSFORD) - Brittany Shinay may still be in high school, but she leads a dancer's life.
We caught up with the Pittsford Sutherland senior during a rehersal at the Draper School of Dance.
"This piece is called 'Kissing You,'" explains Brittany. "It's actually my third year of doing it in competition. Since 10th grade, it's my favorite solo."
"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.
"She brings a certain, a certain something special to class," said Stephanie Kenney, principal of the Draper School of Dance. "Whether it's class, rehearsal, 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," said Brittany. "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 Cinderella, and the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker. Next year, she'll study at the Juilliard School in New York City. It's not a loss for Rochester, it's a gain for the rest of the world, and for the ballerina who so gracefully captures center stage.
