Gracein motion...

She asked
to dance...

On September 16, 2017, Grace Ramos arrived at her first ballet class wearing a blue leotard and holding her father’s hand. She was there because she had asked to dance. From the doorway, her mother, a former professional ballerina, watched with wonder as her daughter entered a world she knew so well. Grace’s first ballet teacher had once taught her mother, connecting two generations through a shared love of dance.

That first afternoon was the beginning of a journey Grace could not yet imagine. At Berrend Dance Centre, each class brought something new to learn. The excitement of dancing gradually became a commitment, teaching her that progress came through practice, perseverance, and the willingness to keep improving. Grace's first Young Dancer's Workshop with American Ballet Theatre introduced her to a world of possibilities beyond her home studio. As she continued training and began competing at the Youth America Grand Prix, she found herself surrounded by young dancers who shared her dedication and ambition. Each new experience challenged her to push beyond what she already knew and helped her imagine how far her love of ballet might take her.

After attending addtional ABT summer intensives in New York City, Grace returned with a growing desire of what she wanted for her future. In 2022, she expressed it simply: “I want to dance in New York City.” In 2024, that declaration came closer to reality when she received recognition as an ABT National Training Scholar for the 2024–2025 dance program.

At fourteen, she took a life changing step and moved from Maryland to New York City to pursue her training with ABT's Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis school. It was a major step toward the future she had envisioned, but it also meant leaving behind the familiarity of home and learning to navigate a new city, greater independence, and the demands of an intensive training environment. It was an opportunity to discover not only what she could achieve as a dancer, but also who she could become and contribute back along the way.

Today, Grace’s journey continues in the studio and on stage. Performing for young audiences at the David H. Koch Theatre through ABT Kids has allowed her to share the magic of ballet with children, and her participation in ABT productions of Don Quixote and Sylvia at the Metropolitan Opera House has brought her into the world of larger scale professional performances. These experiences have shown her that ballet is about more than perfecting technique or mastering choreography. It is a way to tell stories, express emotions, and create moments that connect performers and audiences. The little girl who once walked into her first ballet class holding her father’s hand could never have known where that first step would lead. What began as a simple wish has grown into a dream pursued through years of dedication, sacrifice, and courage. New York City, once a distant destination, has become part of Grace’s everyday life not the end of her journey, but the place where she continues to learn, grow, and discover what may be possible. And so the story continues, one class, one rehearsal, and one performance at a time. With every step, Grace moves closer to the future of becoming a professional ballerina, carrying with her the same love of dance that first inspired the little girl who asked to dance.