Brittany, Student Editor-in-Chief

Every young girl wants to twirl their way around the park in a fluffy tu-tu, and the vision of becoming a ballerina starring in an onstage play has probably graced the mind of every dancing kid who’s seen a ballet performance. But Karen Johnson is a step up from the modern American idea of young ballerinas. She's recently twirled her way (quite literally!) into the hearts of the Spotlight Awards judges.

The Spotlight Awards competition is one of the most prestigious artistic and musical competitions for kids in the USA, so placing as the 1st runner up in the Spotlight Awards Ballet category just months ago was an inspiring achievement, sinceKaren's in 11th grade!Read our exclusive interview withKaren tolearn about her big dreams and passions that have helped her take the stage, and the awards, time and time again, then watch the vid of her in action!

AK: What is your favorite thing about ballet? What inspires you about it?
KJ: My favorite part about ballet is performing. I love the feeling of being on stage and captivating the audience. I am inspired by the characters in the ballet and the heritage of the story line.


AK: Do you have a mentor? If so, how long have your worked with them and how have they helped you in your ballet career.
KJ: I have had many mentors throughout my ballet training and I learned a lot from each of them. I feel that having multiple mentors has made me a balanced dancer and person.


AK: What should younger ballerinas who want to be successful be doing right now?
KJ: Young girls and boys interested in ballet should take classes, watch videos of dancers, and attend performances in their area. However, regardless to what a young dancer does, becoming a successful ballerina comes down to passion and dedication.


AK: If you weren’t a ballerina, what other sport/art would you do?
KJ: If I wasn’t a ballerina I would want to be a photographer. It seems to be a really interesting career filled with lots of variety.


AK: Why were you a finalist in the Spotlight Awards in Ballet? What was your greatest aid in accomplishing this?
KJ: The Spotlight Awards was something that I always knew I wanted to do. When I was a young dancer, I attended the gala show and was amazed by the talent. Ever since, I have aspired to be a part of it. Becoming a ballet finalist is a reflection of extreme commitment and dedication.


AK: Why was being a finalist in the Spotlight Awards important to you and where do you intend to use your scholarship money?
KJ: The Spotlight Awards was a fabulous experience. It was really the first time that I have ever performed on a major stage in America. For me, the money was just a bonus to the experience. I plan to use the scholarship money for living and traveling expenses in Germany, where I will be training at the Stuttgart Ballet School.


AK: What are your plans for the future? Do you want to continue your professional work a ballerina?
KJ: My plans for the future are to complete my ballet training and join a major company. I hope to become a well-known ballerina. After my ballet career, I would like to become a teacher to pass down all of my knowledge to the next generation of dancers.


AK: What is your favorite music to dance to? Do you have a favorite composer or musician?
KJ: My favorite ballet music is from Don Quixote. It is my favorite ballet because of the spicy Spanish music. I absolutely love using the fans, wearing the bright red colors, and acting very confident as I dance. That is why I love Don Q.


AK: It must have taken lots of hard work, practice, and dedication to become the ballerina you are, today. What keeps you going? What makes you stick with it, even when you don’t win?
KJ: For me it has never been about competitions, winning or losing, or even getting the lead part. Ballet for me is something that I have chosen to do for a career because I love it. That’s what is important. I would say that, even though I could not imagine my life without ballet, I admit there are a lot of things I have missed out on because of it.


AK: If you could dance anywhere in the world, where would it be? Have you already been there? Do you wish you could dance in a certain city, country, or performing arts hall?
KJ: At some point, I want to dance in Russia as a guest artist because they treat ballerinas like rock stars there.

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