Canonsburg ’ s Ashlinn Berger , a 17-yearold junior at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School , balances her days between intensive dance training and academic classes . Dance has been an integral part of her life for the past 14 years , and her journey has been filled with dedication , inspiration and remarkable achievements .
Ashlinn has been training at the Thomas Dance Studio in Bridgeville and hones her skills in various dance genres daily at Lincoln Park . Her rigorous schedule , involving around 30 hours of dance training weekly , reflects her commitment and passion for the art form .
Alongside dance , she is actively involved in the National Honor Society , the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and the International Thespian Society . She has had the privilege of performing in numerous musicals and ballets at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center , including roles in “ The Nutcracker ” as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara , “ Footloose ,” “ Catch Me If You Can ,” “ The World Goes ‘ Round ” and “ An American in Paris .”
Her inspiration to dance comes from her mother and great-grandmother . “ My mom and great-grandmother inspired me to dance from a young age ,” says Ashlinn . “ My mom was a dancer all throughout her life growing up , and we have been able to create a special mother / daughter bond through it .”
One of the highlights of Ashlinn ’ s dance career was being named a 2024 YoungArts winner in the moderncontemporary dance genre . YoungArts is a prestigious program that provides ongoing support and opportunities for artists .
To apply , Ashlinn submitted a twominute modern technique video and a two-minute solo video . With an acceptance rate of about 10 percent , she was selected from more than 7,000 applicants . This recognition has been an incredible honor , offering her a platform to advance her craft and connect with other talented artists .
In February , Ashlinn had the incredible opportunity to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition , where she performed a ballet variation and a contemporary solo choreographed by Ida Saki .
She received first place in the contemporary category , which led to an invitation to attend the International Contemporary Ensemble program in Amsterdam . This weeklong program was an unforgettable experience . She trained intensively from 9 a . m . to 6:30 p . m . daily , working with renowned choreographers Ian Robinson , Talia Paz and Shahar Binyamini . It was invaluable for her to have their guidance and the chance to learn repertoire from professional dance companies .
“ It was an incredible opportunity to work with 30 dancers from all over the world ,” Ashlinn adds . “ I have made some beautiful friendships and memories that will last a lifetime .”
Another significant milestone in her journey is acceptance into the 2024 Juilliard Summer Dance Intensive . This program , a dream come true , will have her training for three weeks in July , from 9 a . m . to 6 p . m . daily . Participants will take technique classes and learn choreography from esteemed professional choreographers and teachers . The intensive will culminate in a performance showcasing the repertoire they learned .
Ashlinn is thrilled to take classes from distinguished instructors such as Alicia Graf Mack , Mario Alberto Zambrano , Chelsea Ainsworth , Terese Capucilli and many others . “ I am looking forward to meeting new people who share my love for dance , and learning from and developing bonds with the mentors ,” she says .
Ashlinn ’ s journey in dance has been a blend of hard work , inspiration and incredible opportunities . Each step has brought her closer to her dream , and she is grateful for the support and encouragement from her family , teachers and peers . As she continues to pursue her passion , she looks forward to embracing new challenges , learning from the best , and inspiring others with her journey . n
PHOTO BY EMILY KOCH
CANON-MAC ❘ SUMMER 2024 13