Yet Estes admits when she first stepped onto the stage as Clara, "my mind went blank and I forgot everything." But her stage fright was only momentary.

Estes has been a student at Salem's American Ballet Academy for five years. "I love everything about the recitals: the costumes, the makeup, the hair. When I dance in front of an audience I feel proud of what I've accomplished."

Although Estes has other activities and hobbies, she attends ballet class three times a week.
"I've met a lot of girls here and made some close friends. And dancing has made me more flexible and physically fit. It's really fun. My favorite step is the side jump called pas de chat, `step of the cat.'"

Annabeth Shirley, a high school senior, commented that dance is challenging.
"It's a full-body sport that requires amazing discipline, strength, endurance, and consistent practice. It's a self-inspired activity; you have to push yourself to use correct techniques and correct muscles."

Shirley has been dancing for 11 years.

"Ballet is a large part of who I am. Ballet is so beautiful; I think of it as body art. I love the recital costumes. In our performances we act together to create art on the stage."

Very few young aspiring ballerinas will actually pursue dancing as a career. One exception to this is Kayla Bergren, 18, a student at City Dance Theater in Keizer. Bergren has been dancing for 13 years and fully intends to be a professional dancer. She is preparing her resume for auditions with several cruise lines.

Bergren is in the studio 18 hours a week taking classes in ballet tap, hip-hop, modern, and jazz.
"Dance requires full concentration to master the choreography, but once you get the steps, you gain confidence. I love the dance stage and musical theater because I can totally lose myself in the roles. Dancing reduces my stress."

Truly dedicated, Bergren danced through the pain of a strained foot ligament to practice for competitions this winter.

"I had physical therapy and my foot was re-taped every other day. I would go on stage, then rush off to ice my foot between dances."

Bergren is part of CDT's select Performing Company that stages many events in the Willamette Valley. Last year they were invited to perform at Disneyland, and also won a Spotlight Dance Cup in classical ballet. This spring the Company won an American Dance Award for jazz.

Two of Bergren's dance companions also have the determination to succeed in dance. Hannah Allen, 18, and Lindsay Freeman, 16, who have been dancing for many years, are part of the Performance Company, and hope to do professional dancing or musical theater.

Allen said, "I dreamed of being a ballerina, but now I think musical theater might be right for me. My professional ambitions have been shaped by the variety of dance classes I've taken here at City Dance Theater."

Allen, who is home-schooled, told of friendships she has gained at the dance studio.
"This is my second home; these are my friends."
Freeman agreed. "I love being a dance team member with a group of girls. There's so much drama!"