[ot-caption title=”Senior Hailey Karten will star in Sleeping Beauty as the evil Carabosse on March 10 and 11. (via Julia Karten, sophomore)”]

This week, Type One sat down with senior dancer Hailey Karten. Karten was born to be a dancer. Starting at a very young age, her whole life has revolved around dance. Throughout her many years dancing, she has learned invaluable lessons that have shaped her as a dancer and a person.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: At what age did you start dancing?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: I began when I was two, but I didn’t start dancing at PC until second grade[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: How many hours a week do you dance?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: It really depends on my rehearsal schedule. If we are getting ready for the ballet, it can be up to 16, but if not, normally between six and 10.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: What inspired you to start dancing?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: It was one of those things that my mom put me in dance classes when I was little and then I just fell in love with it and never stopped.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: How many years have you been dancing at pine crest?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: 10 years! I honestly can’t believe it’s been that long.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: What is your favorite genre of dance?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: Ballet, mostly because it’s the one I do the most but also because I really enjoy the challenge it provides for me technique wise.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: What do you do when you are not dancing?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: I volunteer in the Lower and Middle School iLab, helping the younger students with different projects. I have a pretty good balance between dance and school life.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: Have you been in the ballet all four years of high school?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: Yes.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: What part are you in the ballet this year?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: I play the role of Carabosse who is the evil fairy. Most people know her as Maleficent, as that is her name in the Disney versions of the story.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: How long have you been preparing for the ballet?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: We have had seven formal rehearsals from 9-5 on Saturday’s since January. However, we have been working on our technique in class since the beginning of the school year and have worked on portions of our pieces during class time recently as well.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: How is this ballet of Sleeping Beauty different from your first ballet when you were a freshman?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: My freshman year, we did Cinderella and I was a princess at the ball. I think the rest of the seniors and I have really improved on both our technique and dramatic ability throughout high school.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: What are you most excited for the audience to see in the ballet?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: I am most excited for the audience to see the performance that we have worked so hard on the past few months. I think the show is going to be one of the best ballets we have done![spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: How are you feeling about this being your last ballet at Pine Crest?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: It’s super nostalgic! My first ballet was Sleeping Beauty in 2006 when I was one of Little Bo Peep’s sheep. It went completely full circle so it’s bittersweet for me.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: What has been the most memorable experience you have had in dance at Pine Crest so far?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: I think looking at the cast list this year and finding out I was Carabosse was pretty memorable. When I was in 5^th grade, I was one of Carabosse’s monsters, so it’s crazy to be back![spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: How has dancing affected other aspects of your life?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: I have made the best friends I could have ever asked for. I spend more time in the dance room than I do anywhere else, and I really consider everyone family. It’s so great to be able to dance at school, because if I am having a bad day, I can always see my dance friends in the hall and they know how to cheer me up.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

T1: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start dance or be in the ballet?[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Hailey: Come and talk to anyone in the dance department! We always love to welcome new dancers.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Next year, Hailey will attend Emory University where she plans to continue her dance career. Hailey has performed as a number of different roles in each of her four high school ballet’s at Pine Crest. Come see Hailey as Carabosse and the rest of the cast of Sleeping Beauty on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11.[spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]