Noranda dancer takes bold step towards US career

A NORANDA ballerina has been dreaming about the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Kiara Blair is getting ready to go on an unpaid 10-month traineeship next month in a make-or-break effort for her dancing career.

The 27-year-old has been accepted into the Nevada Ballet Theatre and will join the company as a trainee next month.

Ms Blair said that despite starting dancing as soon as she could walk, she “gave up on herself” and her dreams of becoming a professional dancer when she 22.

“I couldn’t even go to many ballet performances because it would be so hard not to cry, because I knew that’s what I shoud be doing,” she said.

She became a personal trainer and group fitness instructor when she was 25, started ballet classes again and soon began training at the Charlesworth Ballet Institute.

“I was concerned what others might think, like why is she bothering to try again, she’s too old,” she said.

“I became a really strong dancer who really believed in herself and I was determined not to let myself down again.”

In March, Ms Blair travelled to 12 cities in the United States and did 12 auditions before being offered the Las Vegas position.

Her husband sold his car to help her pay for the trip, which she said was her last attempt to crack into the professional ballet profession.

Ms Blair is living with her parents and works multiple jobs to save for the traineeship. To donate, go to gofundme.com./kiaranevadaballet.