Rebecca Mattern is a junior who has been dancing ballet since she could walk. This summer she will be going to a summer ballet intensive in New York City.

Mattern started dancing ballet when she was three years old and has continued ever since.

“I love the thrill of being on stage by myself sharing my love for dance with an audience,” Mattern said.

Mattern has become increasingly more serious about ballet as she gets older. She used to look up to the older ballet dancers in the company who went to summer dance intensives and decided to wait until High school to audition.

“I didn’t want to be too young and didn’t want to go too early in my training to avoid overexposure, which is showing myself to a potential company before being at a decent level.” Mattern said.

Mattern attended her first summer ballet intensive the summer between freshman and sophomore year at Boston Ballet.

This year Mattern auditioned and was accepted to the Ellison ballet program in New York City. Even though the program is extremely vigorous, Mattern is ready for the challenge.  

“It’s in New York which I’ve never been to and I think it will be amazing to live there for six weeks,” Mattern said. “ I can’t wait to meet new people and find new friendships.”

Mattern is excited to spend her summer challenging herself, and improving herself by doing what she loves most.