Ryley Krauss, 13, an aspiring young ballerina has been firmly catapulted into the dream world of professional dance – a plateau many strive to attain but few reach.

The St. Albert dancer is one of a few dozen students from across Canada invited to train at the internationally-renowned Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s full-time professional division.

Acceptance at the prestigious school means students are trained in classical ballet based on the Russian method. The system develops versatile young artists with strong technique and core strength.

And Krauss was invited not once, but twice.

The student of St. Albert-based DanceCo tested the waters in 2011, attending the school’s one-month summer program. Within a couple of weeks she received an offer to enroll in the full-time professional division.

“The offer was a bit of a shock. I kept saying ‘no, no. I’m not ready to go,’” said Krauss in a telephone interview from Winnipeg.

Her parents Deborah Krauss, a federal government employee and Lochlin Krauss, known to his fans at The Bear radio station as Lochlin Cross, were extremely proud, but terrified of letting her go.

“We couldn’t even wrap our heads around letting her go last year,” Lochlin commented.

Krauss returned to the RWB School’s summer program in July and was presented with a second offer.

“I was excited because yes, I knew I wanted to go. I didn’t want to go back home and pack my stuff,” giggled Krauss.

Returning to St. Albert, she loaded the car trunk with school supplies, clothes and mementos. With Mom at the wheel, the duo drove back to Winnipeg for a new chapter in both their lives.

Krauss stands out among her peers for her graceful carriage and long leg extensions that create beautiful lines. But most people comment on her beautifully-arched feet.

“Most girls struggle to point their feet. Ryley has more point than most. She has a naturally high arch and pointed feet,” noted Deborah.

Her mother also believes Krauss has a star quality.

“I know it’s hard to be objective. But when you see her dance, you are drawn to her. It’s a quality she posses. You can’t teach it. You can teach technique. But this quality she possesses is because of her passion for dance.”

Training 15 hours a week at DanceCo, Krauss studied ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical and contemporary dance. Putting her training to use, she’s performed with the DanceCo Dancers at Disneyland and was one of the Pepsi Dancers grooving for the Half-Time Show at the Grey Cup two years ago. And as part of the hip hop crew Eye Candy Jr., she made it to the live auditions of the first Canada’s Got Talent.

Krauss lives to study ballet, but so far the weirdest thing for the former Sir George Simpson Junior High student is returning to elementary school. Because of Manitoba’s different school classifications, the Grade 8 student now attends Nordale Elementary for the core curriculum.

“It’s a little funny going back to elementary school. You have to have indoor shoes and you have to go out for recess,” Krauss laughed.

Although Krauss is chasing her dream, there is one big challenge to overcome.

“The hardest thing is being away from home. But I have a new perspective. I have two homes now.”

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