This is part one of a two-part column by staff writer Amanda Edwards about her experiences dancing professionally in Washington D.C. For the second installment, read the Feb. 1 article, Dance sojourn piles daily challenges.

Since I was 3 years old, my dream of becoming a professional ballerina has been my first priority. Little did I know that this dream would lead me to Washington, D.C., after I completed my freshman year at Fresno Christian. Through the challenges and dramatic changes, the move to follow my goal made me stronger and changed my focus on ballet and my new life ahead.

At the young age of 15, I left home to follow my dream and dance as a professional. Although I enjoyed attending FC and going to ballet classes after school, the dance school I attended in Fresno did not give me the push I needed to obtain any goal.

My ballet teacher, Francoise-Thouveny Doyle, previously owned a local ballet studio called Severance Ballet. The studio employed dancers who had been professional and then went into teaching.

But due to a lack of funds and support from the city, the school was relocated to Washington, D.C. While my teacher was in there, she spoke with my mom about allowing me to audition for their summer intensive program.

My original desire was to dance in the San Francisco Ballet. However, I lost the acceptance papers and was unable to obtain them again. This was a huge disappointment for me, but nonetheless I boarded the plane on my way to the Washington School of Ballet for a five-week intensive summer program.

My eyes were set on San Francisco, so when I first arrived in D.C. I was not very excited. Once I got to the beautiful studios and saw all the piano players and teachers, my heart started to race. Excitement and adrenaline kicked in, and I was ready to start my summer.

The city itself is beautiful. Hundreds of other girls and I would take the bus to ballet every day. It took about 30-45 minutes due to morning work traffic. I ended up learning all the different busses that come back and fourth as well as the times; it was easier than I thought it was going to be.

After the five weeks, the four other girls in the program and I were asked to remain there for a year-round program. I immediately called my mom to request her approval for this exciting offer. Unfortunately, she said I could not remain in the program; she would never let her daughter move away to a big city at the age of 15.

Several months later, and after expressing my deep desire to return to the Washington School of Ballet many times, my mom took it into consideration and eventually agreed.

At first I wanted my parents to move with me, but we all had to come to the realization that it would be too difficult with both of their jobs. In addition, my brother Daniel was still in high school. As a family, we finally decided I would be able to fend for myself.

My ballet teacher was a big help and completely supported me during the move. During my first year, I lived with a host family only five blocks away from the studio. I was able to walk there and back each day.

I said good-bye to my dad and brother in Fresno, and my mom came along to help get me settled in and meet the family I would be staying with. After arriving, I felt unhappy about my decision to leave my parents and brother.

I knew in my heart this was where I was supposed to be, so I learned to cope with my decision. My parents had recently divorced, and this only made my move to D.C. harder on the family. I made great friends all over D.C. and they started to become my support system since I never had parents around me. The friendships I made I will treasure always.

For more information, read the Oct. 5, 2007 article, “Washington D.C. woos ballerina.”

The next installment of Edwards’ story will be published in The Feather Online in the next two weeks.