Grace Hudson
Grace started her dance training at age 6 in Springfield, Missouri at Credo Dance under the instruction of Kate Riegler. She participated in Youth American Grand Prix as well as attended summer intensives such as Ballet Magnificat, American Ballet Theatre in New York, and Texas Ballet Theater. In 2015, she passed with Distinction in the Royal Academy Dance exams. In 2017, she continued her dance training at Texas Ballet Theater’s Professional Division in Fort Worth, Texas under the instruction of Kathy Warakonsky Li and Leticia Oliveria. She participated in Ben Stevenson’s The Nutcracker, Pinocchio, Swan Lake, and Beauty and the Beast. Her first season with NWABT in the 19-20 season she enjoyed roles such as Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye’s Nutcracker as Marzipan and other corps roles and Cinderella as Summer Fairy. She is very excited to be a part of NWA Ballet Theatre for her 4th season with the company.
get to know the dancer
Where are you from?
Springfield, Missouri
In one sentence, describe your "discovery" of ballet. Or, what was your pathway to ballet?
My older sister took dance lessons and I wanted to be just like her.
Do you remember the first ballet you ever saw? What was it and how did it affect you?
The first ballet I ever saw was the Nutcracker. I remember thinking how beautifully elegant and romantic sugar pas was and wanting desperately for that to be me one day.
What do you like to do outside of dance (hobbies, interests, etc.)?
Playing guitar and ukulele, I also love getting out in nature and hiking!
What are some of your other talents?
I love to paint! I paint canvases and dead pointe shoes so they can be repurposed. I paint with mostly acrylic and watercolor.
What are some of your indulgences?
Coffee and hot wings! But not necessarily together...
What is your favorite role that you have performed? Have not performed?
I loved performing Summer Fairy in Cinderella! One day I would love to perform Odette in Swan Lake.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
Yes, I always jam out to Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen!
If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be?
A visual artist! I would love to be able to sell or see some of my art work displayed one day.
How do you spend your summer breaks?
I love to travel and spend time with friends and family!
If I could visit any country in the world it would be….
Greece! I would love to see the Parthenon in Athens.
What does Northwest Arkansas mean to you? Why is it special or different from other places you've danced/trained?
New beginnings and new adventures! The environment created by staff and the other company members at NWABT is so caring and uplifting. It makes the day to day stress less tiresome since we all support each other and are having fun!
What are three things people might not know about you?
My celebrity icon is Audrey Hepburn, my go to genre of music is 80’s rock, my spirit animal is a flamingos!