'More than tutus:' Professional ballerina, Cary teen says ballet teaches discipline, life skills

Sydney Dolan is enjoying a break at home in the Triangle, fresh off the stage in Philadelphia, where she danced the principle role of Dew Drop as part of the Pennsylvania Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker.

"It's really nice to get away from the city," she said. "I mean, I love the city, that's all I want to do, but it's really nice to come back home."

Dolan was born in Philadelphia, began dancing at 3 years old and moved around with her family before they settled in Cary.

She says she drew her inspiration from the media, even mentioning Sesame Street.

But as she grew up, she found the art to be about much more than tutus and fairytales.

"It's a really a great building block for anything you want to take from it," she said. "I feel like ballet is more than just a career, it's a lot of learning life skills."

She said it’s how she learned discipline, work ethic and the power of art.

"The arts, I think, are just so underrated, and people don't take into account that it's really so important to go see the opera, or see the ballet, or see a play, or listen to music." she said.

Dolan is pacing herself, admitting she still has a lot to learn.

"I'm 16. I have a lot more years," she said. "I want to dance as long as I can. I don't want to be 23 and bored. And I don't think I will ever let myself do that."

For now, she is enjoying the adventure, anticipating the next time the lights come on and the curtain goes up.

"The adrenaline rushes through your body, and you just ride the music, ride the adrenaline and your brain will go other places, but really you just put your body on autopilot a little bit," she said.

Her local coach is Miguel Campaneria, an internationally-known ballet dancer from Cuba.

"She's just a raw diamond, that when polished, polished, I know it's going to shine, it's going to be a star," Campaneria said.

Dolan now stays with her aunt and uncle in Philadelphia, so she can continue to dance with the Pennsylvania Ballet.

"(Ballet) is a big part of my life, half my life I've been dancing," she said. "I mean more than half my life. It's going to be a big part of my life after I dance too. When I'm done."