Nutcracker star has promising future

Historic City News congratulates Rosa Bledsoe; a senior at the St Johns County Center for the Arts at St Augustine High School, for her selection to dance the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy when the St Augustine Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” this year.

The part, usually reserved for a professional dancer, was earned by Bledsoe according to a quote from Artistic Director Luis Abella that appeared in the 5-year anniversary issue of Old City Life magazine this month. Bledsoe appears on the cover of the monthly magazine.

“It is an honor for her to be given the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” Abella said. “She earned the honor because she has shown that she is at such a level in her dancing to be able to perform it.”

Bledsoe’s talents extend beyond dance. She is also in the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education Program at the high school and is a member of the National Honor Society.

She began her study of dance at Murray Middle School with the encouragement and direction of Carole Dickens and at The Dance Company; under the direction of Monika Macbeth and Jane Bradshaw.

The multi-talented Bledsoe, currently studies at Abella’s School of Dance and under the direction of dance teacher Sara Bailey at St Augustine High School.

She has been a dancer for St Augustine Ballet since it started last year. During that time, she danced the parts of Clara, Arabian, Columbine, and Dewdrop in the ballet suite “The Nutcracker” as well as the part of Paquita.

“Since Rosa is a high school senior, this may be her last Nutcracker with St Augustine Ballet,” Abella said in the article. “I felt this was the best way to acknowledge her dedication and talent.”

Over the years, the promising student and performing artist has taken a variety of workshops including: Suzanne Farrell Workshop for Young Dancers, Florida State University Summer Intensive, Miami City Ballet Summer Intensive, and American Dance Theatre Summer Intensive.

She plans to continue her study of dance at the college level next year.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by Tammy Harrow published in Old City Life