Graduating NKHS senior signs professional dance contract

New Kent High School senior Bryanna Krause smiles as she signs a contract to become a professional ballerina.

At this time of the year, most seniors in high school are focused on prom, graduation, and which path of life to take upon receiving their diploma. For one such student at New Kent High School, she already has her dream job lined up.

Bryanna Krause will pursue a career in dancing after being offered and accepting a contract as a professional ballerina for the Richmond Ballet Second Company beginning this July. She competed against more than 200 other talent from around the nation prior to being offered the position.

“Once I received the contract, I was ecstatic,” she said during a Saturday morning interview. “I was left in tears.”

Bryanna began dancing at the age of three after her mother, Darlene, put her in class. Bryanna started at Ann Catherine Cross School of Dance in New Kent and proceeded to more advanced classes in Williamsburg, something her mother continued to push her in after noticing how much she enjoyed it.

“I noticed how much she loved what she was doing,” mother Darlene said. “As we continued classes in Williamsburg, one choreographer saw Bryanna’s talent and advised to go to the Richmond Ballet.”

Bryanna competed in a variety of dance competitions and styles beginning in 2003, but said in 2008 her passion for ballet emerged to the front.

“I know that becoming a professional dancer in ballet was a way to break into the industry,” the senior said. “That’s when I decided to stop competitive dancing (in 2012) and put my focus into the training classes and now I’m in my second year of it.”

Bryanna has already spent a considerable amount of time on stage for the Richmond Ballet company. She has appeared in a number of shows including Don Quixote, Coppelia, Romeo and Juliet, and Cinderella. Bryanna also made a number of appearances in Richmond Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker that includes playing the lead role of Clara.

The soon-to-be-graduate commented that support from her family, friends, and New Kent community has kept her going and she hopes to continue.

“I’ve received so much support from my family and friends,” she said. “My mother is always there and has pushed me. She saw the passion before I did.”

Bryanna also has desires to give back in a variety of ways to the county where she grew up.

“I would love to come back and do a show for New Kent,” she said. “I would like to come teach the younger kids and show them that just because you come from a small area that you can’t be well-known.

“You can start off small but you will always keep going as long as you continue to work hard and pursue what you desire,” Bryanna concluded.

Her mother also added a piece of advice, supporting her daughter and speaking of the time spent to help her daughter pursue her dream.

“We spent many times running up and down the road and it has been a whirlwind,” Darlene said. “But if you put in the time and effort, it all pays off in the end.

“People in New Kent have followed her (Bryanna) and pushed her through and I know she would do the same when she sees someone who wants to pursue their dream she’d push them too,” the mother concluded.

Krause’s contract is for two years and she expects to tour with the company as well as participate in joint productions with the first company.