For the past seven years, Ashley Paris (daughter of Dominic & Julie Paris) has dedicated herself to the art of ballet, a journey that has not only shaped her as a dancer but as a person. Currently a 10th grader at Midlothian High School, Ashley has built a reputation as a hardworking and talented dancer, thanks to her years of training at the Marianne Kelley School of Dance (MKSD) and her deep commitment to improving her craft.

"One of the things I love most about dance is how it challenges me both athletically and artistically," says Ashley. "It allows me to push my physical limits while also expressing myself in a way that words can't."

At MKSD, she’s been a part of several prestigious dance companies, including the Elevé Ballet Company (EBC) and Compass Contemporary. These pre-professional companies have given her invaluable experiences, from performing in full-length productions to participating in intense rehearsals. “Elevé and Compass push me to be my best, not just as a dancer, but as an artist,” Ashley shares.

Her dance journey has also taken her to impressive summer intensives. Ashley spent five weeks at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) and three weeks at the Carolina Ballet Summer Intensive, where she learned from renowned instructors and gained insight into the life of a professional dancer. One of the most inspiring moments for her was meeting Carolina Ballet soloist Madeline Rogers, who taught at CPYB. “It was amazing to see someone so successful in ballet, and it motivated me to keep working hard.”

Ashley’s performances, especially in the annual Nutcracker at MKSD, have been some of the highlights of her career. She’s danced a variety of roles, from Russian and Columbine Doll to Snowflake and, last year, as an Arabian dancer. This year, she is performing in a lead role as the Snow Queen. “Nutcracker season is always so exciting. It’s a chance to show everyone how hard we’ve worked and share the magic of the season through dance,” she says.

This year, Ashley reached a new milestone—she was invited to join the Elevé Ballet Company and Compass. “Being invited to Elevé and Compass are a huge honor. It’s a reflection of all the hard work I’ve put in, and I’m excited to continue improving my technique and artistry,” Ashley notes.

As she looks ahead, Ashley remains committed to ballet, with aspirations to continue dancing after graduation. Her advice to aspiring dancers is simple but powerful: “Work hard, take feedback, and have fun.”

With her passion, perseverance, and the guidance of mentors like Marianne Kelley, Ashley’s ballet journey is just beginning—and there’s no limit to what she can achieve.