Posted October 7, 2013
Dancing ballet since she was three, the choice between finishing high school and an opportunity to study dance at an elite academy in St. Petersburg, Russia was a bit overwhelming for seventeen-year-old Katie Grace-Shamburek. After sending in a video audition to Vaganova Ballet Academy in March, Grace-Shamburek was surprised to find a month later that she had been accepted into the prestigious academy. Her ballet teacher of six years, Elizabeth Shipiatsky of Classical Ballet of Colorado, originally inspired Grace-Shamburek to try for the opportunity. Shipiatsky had practiced at the Russian school; the school was also the developer of Vaganova, the type of dance Grace-Shamburek studies.
However, “Getting in didn’t mean I could go,” Grace-Shamburek said, explaining how she had no Visa, plane ticket, or school plan. While the competitive dancer had been going to Denver School of the Arts, school policies prevented her from pursuing her goal of performing in Russia while still completing school. Determined, Grace-Shamburek looked for other options.
Online high school had always been on the radar. Friends of Grace-Shamburek had taken online courses before, enjoying much more flexible schedules than her. While this nontraditional schooling did not seem like the right fit for her previously, online classes became appealing as the struggle to complete school while dancing became more apparent. “I needed a way to get my remaining credits and get my diploma,” she said.
As her family started looking into online programs, they found Denver Online High School to provide the young dancer with an opportunity to graduate on time with her 2014 class while still allowing her the freedom to dance abroad.
“I’m glad I don’t have to choose between finishing high school and taking this opportunity,” she said. “I’m glad going to school didn’t prevent me from going.”
After finishing up the first week of coursework, she has been thankful for the teacher support system that Denver Online provides. “I don’t feel like I’m just being put out by myself,” she said. The ability to email, call, text, or talk face-to-face with teachers over video conferencing brings personalization to online courses.
As the senior heads off to Vaganova Ballet Academy for one year, she will be met by roughly 31 other international students similarly chosen for the program. Once there, she will take classes in ballet, point, partnering, acting, character dance, and more. She will also have the opportunity to dance in school performances, a step towards her ultimate dream of dancing professionally.
