Are you a true ballerina at heart? Have you ever considered studying ballet at a pre-professional or professional level? You came to the right place! We got the inside scoop on what a day in the life of a student enrolled in the Cary Ballet Conservatory looks like from JJGirl Makenna Miller. Check out what Makenna told us about her ballet journey so far!

"I took my first ballet class when I was 4 years old, and I instantly fell in love with dance. I danced at a local competitive studio when I first started, and even though ballet wasn’t my main focus, it was always a top priority in my dance training. When I was 9 years old, I decided to leave my competitive studio and focus all of my training in ballet. This summer, my family and I moved to Raleigh, North Carolina so that I could train at the Cary Ballet Conservatory. CBC offers a full day professional training program which is something I’ve always wanted to do. I am also a member of the Cary Ballet Company. I decided to enroll in CBC’s program because I wanted a more serious and rigorous training program to take my technique to the next level and help me to prepare for a career as a professional dancer!

Here is what a typical day looks like for me…

5:15AM: I wake up, get dressed and eat breakfast. I usually eat an omelet with spinach, mushrooms, onion, and cheese with some fruit.

6:00AM: I start school. I am home schooled which gives me a lot of flexibility with my dance schedule.

10:30AM: I arrive at Cary Ballet Conservatory and prep for my first ballet class.

11:00AM: My first class is a ballet technique class from 11:00am-12:30pm. I love starting the day with ballet!

12:30PM: After ballet, I have another class for an hour and a half which is pointe, partnering, pointe variations, pilates, or contemporary depending on the day of the week. It is exciting to switch things up!

1:30PM: Next I have a lunch break from 1:30-2:00pm. I eat the same thing every day – I call it my Kale bowl. It’s a shredded kale, broccoli, and cauliflower salad with carrots, quinoa, black beans, chicken and salsa. Yum!

2:00PM: In the afternoons between 2:00-4:00pm it is our time for private coaching and rehearsals for YAGP, ADCIBC, or performances that the Cary Ballet Company is performing.

4:00PM: To finish the day, I have another technique class from 4:00-5:30pm.

5:30PM: When I get home from dance, I usually eat dinner first, which is usually chicken with rice and vegetables or pasta. After dinner I do any homework I have, stretch and ice my feet, and then relax with my dogs and watch some TV.

9:30PM: I try to get to bed by 9:30pm. It’s a very long and tiring day, but I am doing what I love and I couldn’t be happier!