(Photos taken by Rachel Neville)
Juliette Bosco, an aspiring ballerina, began training with the Ellison Ballet School, one of the most prestigious and high ranking ballet schools in the country, since last year. In the April of this year, Juliette Bosco, although one of the youngest in her age category, received the gold in the junior division of YAGP, one of the largest and most competitive ballet competitions in the world.
Although, winning comes with honor and praise, it can’t be done without a great deal of hard work. Juliette trains from 25-30 hours a week and homeschools. “It's very very hard. But it's all worth it,” she says.
Juliette loves ballet competitions because it is an opportunity for her to be on stage, dance in galas, and receive scholarships from different ballet schools. Juliette says, “I was very very very surprised [to have won and] It was such an amazing feeling I don't even know how to explain it!” The most valuable lesson she learned was “you can’t doubt yourself because of others. I felt that I wasn't good enough to be there.” Juliette gained a lot of self-confidence from the win.
Unlike most kids, Juliette says, “I had always dreamed of being a ballerina,” She had done some baby classes when she was younger, but the real training began when she was 10 years old. When she was 10, she went to a vaganova trained school, Greenwich Ballet Academy, and truly experienced what ballet was like. “I had no idea what I was getting into. After the first day of being there, I knew what ballet meant; I knew what it was going to take; and I knew what kind of life this would be. I loved every second of it. I couldn't picture myself without ballet,” she says.
Being talented has its ups and downs. As you might expect, with talents comes high expectations, stress, injuries, and a lot of jealousy. Juliette doesn’t let any of this discourage her. She has committed herself to ballet and fallen in love with it. She describes dancing as therapeutic as well. She says, “I can let all of my emotions out when I am dancing. I have to deal with so much drama with some of the girls there. At times it can be very painful. I don't have friends and I have no one to really talk to, I don't have anyone that I can trust. No one there has my back except for my parents, Mr. Ellison, ️Ms. Forrest, and ️Ms. Valekaite. It's very stressful. So when I am dancing I can really let myself go and just be free.”
Even with all the drama in her life, Juliette is very appreciative for all that she has. Juliette thanks her teachers and her parents for where she is today. She says, “I am so thankful to have such a dedicated family. They do so much for me. They have made so many sacrifices for me in the past …. My favorite thing about Ellison is how much Mr. Ellison does for us. He works so hard to get everything we have out of us. The training is also over the top unbelievable. There is no teacher like Mr. Ellison, anywhere.”
Juliette has big dreams for the future. However, she is already on track. She hopes to be a prima ballerina at the Mariinsky theatre.
(Juliette Bosco and Theophilus Pilette won the silver for their pas de deux performance)
Fun Questions:
What is your favorite thing about ballet?
My favorite thing about ballet is how beautiful the art is and how I can relate to some of the stories in some of the most famous ballets. Like Giselle I can relate to a lot.
Favorite Leotard Brand?
My favorite leotard brand is Grishko because they are very high cut and so beautiful. I also wear Grishko pointe shoes. I love them so much!
Any tips?
Always have your pelvis aligned properly. That is the key to almost everything.
Where do you get your costumes?
I get my costumes from Theatre ballet. They have the most beautiful costumes on earth!!
Favorite Variations?
My favorite variations are, Kitri, Swan lake( both odile and Odette), Giselle , corsaire and la bayadere.
Who is your ballet idol?
My favorite ballerina is Kristina Shapran. I want to be just like her!
