Spokane Valley ballerina earns top spot in regional and advances to international finals in the Big Apple

From a preschooler with excess energy to a graceful ballerina, soon to compete at the international finals of the Youth America Grand Prix in New York City, Clara Vazanko’s pointe shoes have taken her a long way.

Vazanko, 15, began dancing at age 4.

“My mom says I was very energetic, always singing and dancing around the house,” Vazanko said. “She wanted me to get all that energy out at the studio. I did, but I still had plenty at home.”

Company Ballet School owner/instructor Jonna Maule vividly remembers her student’s early dance days.

“She was quite precocious – always wanting to hang around the big kids.”

As Maule worked with her, she quickly realized Vazanko had something special.

“There are people who do ballet, and there are those who are ballet dancers,” she said. “She is a dancer – it’s at the core of her being.”

Indeed, she told Vazanko’s mother to start saving her pennies. Ballet can be expensive.

“When you hit 12 or 13, you go to summer intensives, and they can be quite pricey,” Maule explained.

In addition to dollars, it takes a lot of time to perform and compete at the highest levels. Vazanko, a sophomore at West Valley High School, goes straight to the studio after school.

“I’m there Monday through Friday and on Saturday mornings,” she said.

Her diligence has paid off.

Earlier this month, she competed at the Youth America Grand Prix semifinals in Seattle. She placed first in classical dance in the senior (ages 15-19) division.

“This is her first year competing as a senior, and there were over 100 dancers in the classical division,” Maule said.

Her first place finish earned her the right to compete in the finals in New York City in April.

Vazanko was not the only Company Ballet School student to do well. Tanna Harrison, 11, placed in the Top 12 in both classical and contemporary divisions, and the school’s junior ensemble also placed in the Top 12.

Maule was pleased with their showing.

“We’re pretty small, just 65 students,” she said.

She said it’s a challenge to keep ballet relevant in today’s culture.

“Parents have so many choices.”

But she believes lessons learned in ballet transcend the studio.

“Our dancers are here to learn, to grow, and to journey to be the best they can be. Students know that there is no magic fairy dust to magically turn them into dancers. They must work, focus, have perseverance and dedication in order to achieve,” said Maule. “Very few dancers will end up in Clara’s position, but the process of having to work for something they want will take them into adulthood.”

In addition to classical ballet, the school offers classes in modern dance and acrobatic arts.

Classical ballet is Vazanko’s passion.

“I love the big jumps and the leap-turn combinations,” she said. “And I love the music – the violins.”

Her performance preferences include anything up-tempo.

She grinned.

“Anything Spanish – fast with lots of leaps. I still have lots of energy.”

For now, she’s concentrating on preparing for the Youth America Grand Prix finals and raising funds to get there.

“She’ll be competing against the best of the best,” Maule said. “Ten days in New York City is expensive. A You Caring site has been set up to help.”

Vazanko, who serves as president of the chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts at Company Ballet, said she’d like to dance professionally, and then pass on her love of ballet on to future generations as a teacher.

“Dance is an easy way to express your emotions,” she said. “I can have a tough day at school, but then I can come here and let it out.”