SHAINA WIRE

NEW JERSEY 9TH SEASON

Shaina, from Sussex County, NJ, began dancing at Branchville Dance Centre. At age 13, Shaina was invited by Ethan Stiefel to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. When she returned to New York, she attended The Joffrey Ballet School as a trainee, and a year later was invited to join The Joffrey Concert Group under the direction of Davis Robertson and Nicole Duffy. There, she danced various principal roles and traveled internationally to perform. Since joining Charlotte Ballet in 2016, Shaina has had the opportunity to perform works by Ohad Naharin, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Helen Pickett, Mehdi Walerski, Christian Spuck, Myles Thatcher and Bryan Arias. Shaina is so excited for her 8th season with Charlotte Ballet!

GET TO KNOW SHAINA

Hometown: Sussex County, NJ
Dancing Since: Age 8
Favorite thing about Charlotte: Seeing how much this city has grown in the past few years that I’ve lived here. Moving from New York, I didn’t know what to really expect, but I love seeing the development and growth. Everyone that has come to visit has nothing but good things to say about the city, and that’s why I love it here so much.
What has been a highlight of your time with Charlotte Ballet? Performing at Jacobs Pillow in the summer of 2019. It’s such an incredible and iconic space, with stunning views, and I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to perform there.
Do you remember a moment when you realized you wanted to dance professionally? When I was younger and had a conversation with my mom in our kitchen back in New Jersey. I was telling her about how I wanted to quit dancing and didn’t think I could make it. My mom, in a tough love, but encouraging way, said it was not happening and that I had too much potential to quit. She really has been my inspiration and support system throughout my life and career, and I knew I couldn’t let her down. I stuck it out, and here we are! So thanks mom, for not letting me give up when I didn’t think I had it in me.
Advice for aspiring dancers: “Keep persevering and working towards your goals. Things might not go as planned and you may be full of doubts, but that is when you learn the most about yourself. Stay open-minded and humble.”