It’s with full hearts and endless pride that we celebrate our graduating senior class of 2025. These five remarkable young dancers, Hannah, Sierra, Mizuki, Avery, and Elina have grown up within the walls of our studio, many of them dancing with us since they were just three years old. From their very first plié to performing captivating solo roles in our productions, they’ve poured their passion into every rehearsal and performance. They will all be dancing lead roles in our upcoming production of Don Quixote before they head out to college. Here are some of their thoughts and plans for the future.
Front Row: Sierra Hickey and Elina Mertens.
This fall, Sierra will begin an exciting new chapter at UC Santa Barbara, where she plans to major in aquatic biology. She has loved her time at PSPA and will deeply miss her best friends and the community.
Elina is very excited to continue her dance training at UC Irvine as a dance major, She is extremely grateful for the foundation PSPA has provided her and is excited to be performing in PSPA’s production of Don Quixote.
Hannah will be attending The UC Santa Barbara to study biology and dance. “PSPA has become a second home for me and I’m so grateful for the lifelong relationships I’ve built here”.
Mizuki will be studying Fashion Business at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “Although my major doesn’t involve dance, growing up around costumes and backstage environments sparked my passion for fashion. I’ll always cherish the friendships and memories made at PSPA and look forward to my final show”.
Avery is planning to attend either USC or Georgetown to study psychology and business in the Fall and to continue to pursue dance in any capacity possible. “I’m beyond excited to conclude 12 years of training at PSPA as Mercedes in Don Quixote, alongside my best friends and incredible mentors.”
We are immensely proud of these dancers not only for their artistic achievements, but for the grace, dedication, and heart they’ve shown throughout the years. While this is the end of one beautiful chapter, it’s also the beginning of new adventures, and we know they will be successful wherever they may go. Please come and see them perform their final PSPA ballet performance of Don Quixote at the Norris Theater May 16, 17 and 18.
