Isabella Long
corps de ballet
Ballet
San Antonio
Hometown:
Greenwich, Connecticut
Joined BSA:
2024
Isabella Long is from Greenwich, Connecticut, and started her training at Greenwich Ballet Academy before moving to New York City in 2018 at just 13 years old to train at Ellison Ballet Professional Training Program under the direction of Edward Ellison with instruction from Jolanta Valeikaite. In 2022, she received a contract to join Houston Ballet II under the direction of Claudio Muñoz, where she continued to broaden her training, as well as tour with the company to Tokyo, Japan, and the second company to the Chautauqua Institution.
During her time at Houston Ballet, she performed a variety of repertoire including George Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes, John Neumeier’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Stanton Welch’s Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and many more. She also performed soloist roles with Houston Ballet II, such as Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, Raymonda, and repertoire choreographed by Stanton Welch including Sugar Plum Fairy pas de deux, Paquita, A Time to Dance, Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Liminal, Bruiser, and Play. Along with performing in Houston Ballet’s productions, Isabella was selected to perform Houston Ballet principal dancer Jessica Collado’s contemporary solo choreography, Papillion, at Musiqa Houston.
GET TO KNOW Isabella
When did you start dancing, and why?
I started dancing when I was three years old. I played many different sports throughout the years, but at the age of eleven I knew that ballet was what I wanted to pursue. I love the challenge of ballet, the discipline, grit, and strength it takes to make it in this profession. I enjoy other styles along with ballet including contemporary, modern, and character dance. The thrill of performing, the joy backstage, and being able to share this art form with the audience is always so magical. All of these combined is what made me fall in love with the art and want to pursue it further.
What inspires you to be a professional dancer?
Being surrounded by so many talented people everyday continues to inspire me. Having the opportunity to work with friends who amaze me with their skill and artistry along with teachers and directors who really care about their dancers and give all they have to us day in and day out, helps me continue to appreciate what we are so fortunate to do professionally. Growing up watching so many ballet companies around the world was always an inspiration knowing that was my dream and what I could eventually make my reality!
Why did you choose Ballet San Antonio?
I chose Ballet San Antonio because of excellent leadership and opportunities. Working with a director like Sofiane Sylve is very exciting as she has so much to share with us and many ideas on how to develop this company in the future. She really cares for her dancers health and well being along with wanting to help us continue to learn and grow in our professional careers. I am ecstatic to be a part of such a diverse and progressive environment!