MUSICIANS JANEY KATZ - Zia Publishing

Photo courtesy Leanna MartinezLeannaMartinezCLASSICAL BALLERINAPHOTO COURTESY OFBURKLYN BALLET THEATERWhen did you becomeinterested in dancing? –At five.At what age did youdecide to pursue itprofessionally? – At 14I was running track,cheerleading andmissing a lot at schoolbecause of dance.That’s when I realizedthat dance was what I truly enjoyed,and was most passionate about.Many performers and artists never receivewidespread recognition. Did that bother you,starting out? – It did bother me because Idon’t think our society puts enoughemphasis on the arts. But I realized thereason for dance is self-expression, notrecognition.Were there obstacles you had to overcome?– Having self-confidence. You’recriticized constantly. You have to betough and independent, and you haveto grow up young.What or who have been sources ofencouragement? – My parents of course,David and Cindy Martinez. They’venever pressured me and alwayssupported me. They have alwaysencouraged me to pursue my dreams.Ellen Johnson, my best friend, has alsobeen a great source of support.What do you hope to accomplish from thispoint forward? – I eventually want toperform full time with a dancecompany. For the time being I amtraining and auditioning for variouscompanies and conservatories.What do you like most about what you do?– The sense of accomplishment. It’sdifficult, and I enjoy challenge.What do you like the least? – Twelve-hourrehearsals, swollen achy feet. You haveto overlook the pain part.Do you ever get discouraged? What do youdo about it? – Oh, yeah. Sometimes youfeel down, like you’re never going toimprove. Sometimes you get a bad part.Most of the time it’s just a bad day. Youhave to step back and look at whyyou’re doing it.Has it been worth the dedication and hardwork so far? – Yes, it has. It helps me ineverything I do.If you could do life over again, what wouldyou do differently? – It’s hard to say. Iwouldn’t be the person I am todaywithout the mistakes I’ve made.What do you enjoy doing when you’re notworking? – I like the outdoors. Hiking,rafting and camping.Are there any words of experience you’d liketo pass along to young people who mightdream of doing what you’re doing? – –Don’t do it because of what you think itmight bring you. You have to truly lovewhat you do and work hard at it.At age 17, Leanna Martinez has already beendancing for a dozen years. Born in Rhode Island to aU.S. Navy officer and his wife, Leanna lived in Washington state and Florida,where she began performing with Florida’s Pensacola Youth Ensemble at age five.The family relocated to Silver City in 1994.After a year’s ballet training in Silver City, 12-year-old Leanna wasrecommended for pre-professional training at theBallet Arts School in Tucson, whereadmission is gained by audition only.Accepted, she began a rigorous schedulethat challenged her dedication to her art.She took her week’s tests at her regularschool on Fridaymornings inorder to be inTucson on timefor Friday nightrehearsal. After aweekend of hard work,she would returnto Silver City onSunday nights.At 16 Leanna attendedboarding school atInterlochen Arts Academyin northern Michigan.Following graduation shebegan dancing for BalletTucson, which stages two majorperformances with a full orchestraand two smaller performancesannually. Major performances typicallyrequire four months of rehearsal.Last summer Leanna auditioned again,this time with Burklyn Ballet Theatre,which accepts only 25 dancers yearly.After four weeks of intensive training, thetroupe performed “Sleeping Beauty” for ten daysstraight at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland,the largest arts festival in the world.Intelligent and articulate, Leanna says her demandingschedule forced her to mature quickly, and to decideearly on if dancing was what she really wanted to do inlife. Her career demonstrates what talent, dedication andhard work can accomplish for a ballerina from a smalltownin the American West.30 – SILVER CITY LIFE