Elaina Cordray

2022 Dance Scholarship Recipient

Elaina's passion for ballet has been a driving force in her life since her first ballet class at the age of eight. As she grew more dedicated to dance, her desire to perform on stage intensified. Beyond her regular studio classes, Elaina has become a member of the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association, taking on significant roles in productions such as The Nutcracker, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and more. While always knowing her career path, it wasn't until she began researching summer intensive programs that Elaina fully grasped the challenges that lie ahead for a dancer.

Financial constraints have been a constant hurdle for Elaina's family, especially with her younger sister also pursuing a career in ballet. To support their aspirations, Elaina's mother works at the studio, and Elaina herself has taken on teaching and part-time jobs to afford opportunities like summer intensives. Last year, she had the chance to attend the Nashville Ballet's summer intensive, where she made significant progress and gained valuable insights into her technique and future goals. Since her return, Elaina has diligently applied the corrections she received to her regular classes and has taken every possible step, both at home and in the studio, to continue progressing in her dance journey.

Recognizing the importance of personal growth, Elaina attends every ballet class at her studio, engages in daily workouts and stretching routines at home, and actively seeks clarification from her instructors. She understands that her journey is not about being the best dancer in the room but rather becoming her personal best. Elaina aspires to become a professional ballet dancer and believes that another summer intensive, with instruction from a professional faculty, would provide the necessary guidance to improve her technique and set her on the path to joining a dance company.