Ilana Jonas started dancing when she was 4 years old. But it wasn’t until she saw her first ballet performance that Jonas fell in love with dance.

“”The first performance I saw was ‘Cinderella,’ and I remember wanting to be like the people on stage,”” said Jonas, a dance sophomore. “”That was the first thing that got me into dancing and made me get serious about it.””

Jonas feeds her passion from the rush of performance.

“”It’s the most rewarding part (performance) because putting in all those hours and classes and rehearsals, it’s the moment that you’re able to perform on stage,”” Jonas said. “”Just being on stage gives you an adrenaline rush.””

Jonas is aware that a dance career is difficult, but she isn’t afraid of the challenge.

“”My goal is to join a contemporary ballet company,”” Jonas said. “”It’s what one can work for. It’s not certain that you’ll get a job – you just have to be auditioning, and it’s about being at the right place at the right time and be what they are looking for.””

Whether she gets into a dance company or even afterwards, Jonas has many options with dance.

“”You can teach, choreograph, always be involved in theater even after your dance career is over,”” she said.

With the support of her parents, Jonas chose the UA School of Dance because of the several styles of dance the program offers.

“”I actually came and looked at the program January (2007) and I was impressed that they offered ballet, modern and jazz. Some programs only offer ballet or modern,”” Jonas said. “”I sat in a rehearsal for a piece and it looked like it was what I wanted to do. I got a really good feeling.””

At the UA, Jonas has performed in a ballet by George Balanchine – famous for his contemporary ballet choreographies – in Premium Blend, a show the UA puts on every spring.

“”I was cast in ‘Serenade,’ and it was a great opportunity to be on stage and perform one of Valenchine’s works,”” Jonas said. “”A school isn’t allowed to take one of his pieces and perform it, because it’s called the Balanchine Trust. It needs to be taught by someone who’s part of that organization.””

Jonas added that she will be performing in Premium Blend again in February, in a piece called “”Swan Lake Act Two.””