In a ballet company, you're trying to create unison and uniform when you're in a cour de ballet.

When I was younger, my feet would hurt a lot, but you build up calluses and strength and you don't feel as much pain there.

You can do anything you want, even if you are being told negative things.stay strong and find motivation.

I try to consider people's perspectives and not just my own.

When you see the body outside of a costume and see the strength that it takes, people would look at dance a different way and see how athletic it is. You're not just born like that.

I know there are a lot of eyes on me now from young girls, and it makes me so proud. The only Black woman examples aren't Rihanna and Beyoncé. It makes me proud that I am a classical ballerina and they can look at me and see another way to succeed. That is setting a new standard.

I think that I'm so fortunate to have found classical ballet. It completely changed my life and it shaped the person that I am today, on and off the stage.