The Giselle files

Photograph: Johan Heckens

Melanie Hamrick

Date of birth July 17, 1986
Hometown Williamsburg, Virginia
Training Eastern Virginia School of the Performing Arts, Universal Ballet Academy
Minor league ABT Studio Company; guested with Universal Ballet of Korea
Some big roles so far Calliope, Apollo; Dark Elegies; Odalisque, Le Corsaire; Spanish Dance,Swan Lake; Prelude and Mazurka, Les Sylphides
Ballet idol Julie Kent. She is the essence of a ballerina and beauty; even if she’s doing something that is so hard, she looks weightless and effortless.
Most consecutive pirouettes I’m not much of a turner. Three or four for me is great.
Favorite dance movie The Turning Point
Most memorable moment onstage It’s still my first performance: The first time I ran out on that stage—it’s so big and you can’t see anything but the conductor. It was La Bayadère—I was a waltz girl—and it took my breath away.
Offstage I like to read. On my breaks, I usually go to Barnes & Noble.
Giselle role Moyna
Best part of being in ABT You get to see amazing dancers every day, all day. You’re never at a loss for inspiration.

See the next dancer: Simone Messmer