Hello lovelies!
Today, we have the distinct pleasure of featuring Allyssa Bross, a Principal Dancer with the esteemed Los Angeles Ballet, who shares her insightful reflections on her journey and the profound meaning she discovered in her role. We hope you find her words as captivating and inspiring as we do! For more from Allyssa, be sure to follow her journey on Instagram @lysbross.
XO Neta
Stepping into my first lead role in a full-length ballet as a 19-year-old professional dancer was a whirlwind. The announcement that followed, declaring me the Los Angeles Ballet’s first-ever Principal Dancer, sent my heart racing. Amidst the excitement and gratitude I expressed to my directors, their words, “It only gets harder from here,” echoed in my mind. While these words lingered with me, their true weight didn’t resonate until seven years later, revealing a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a principal dancer.
Alyssa Bross performing in The Nutcracker with the Los Angeles Ballet. Photography by Nathaniel Solis.
The Los Angeles Ballet’s 11th season opening night was set to feature me in Balanchine’s “Violin Concerto” and Bournonville’s “Napoli”. However, during a dress rehearsal, an unforeseen fall in the wings led to a painful collision with a light boom, resulting in two fractured ribs. Suddenly, I was sidelined for the entire repertoire. It was in this moment that the earlier words resurfaced – “It only gets harder.” Yet, the true hardship wasn’t the demanding rehearsals stretching into late nights, the persistent foot pain, or the dancer’s badge of honor – bruised toenails and blisters. The real challenge was relinquishing a role I had poured my heart and soul into preparing for. Every fiber of my being urged me to persevere, to push through the pain and take the stage. The feeling of letting down the company weighed heavily on me. Despite my mental resilience, my body had reached its limit. As the enchanting Stravinsky score filled the theater and the curtain began to rise, I found myself watching from the audience, not from the stage.
As I watched the Los Angeles Ballet company perform, tears streamed down my face. Amidst the disappointment of not performing, a different, more profound emotion washed over me. An overwhelming sense of pride filled me as I watched my friends and colleagues, the dancers I shared the stage with, step into newly assigned roles on short notice and shine. Witnessing their brilliance, their seizing of opportunities they might not have otherwise had, was an experience far more rewarding than any personal performance could have been.
Allyssa Bross in a costume for “Carabosse,” showcasing her role as a principal dancer within the company.
In that poignant moment, a powerful realization dawned on me: my role as a principal dancer transcended personal accolades and the spotlight’s gleam. It was about nurturing the dancers around me, becoming a source of inspiration, and instilling in them the confidence to command that very spotlight. The paramount responsibility of a principal dancer is to elevate those within the company, to challenge them to reach new heights, and ultimately, to pass the torch to the next generation of dancers. Leading by example extends beyond impeccable work ethic or captivating stage presence; it encompasses investing in the lives of those you work alongside. This position is a catalyst for continuous growth, offering life lessons that extend far beyond the studio walls. And in moments of unexpected sidelines, the deeper meaning of being a principal dancer truly comes into focus.
The title of principal dancer is indeed an honor, but the true journey begins with recognizing the impact one can have beyond oneself. Regardless of age or rank within a company, the opportunity to positively influence those around you is ever-present. When you prioritize empowering your fellow dancers to flourish, to ascend to their full potential, you grasp the profound essence of what it truly means to be a principal dancer.
