Jamie Whitley, 15, of Houston, started taking ballet classes when he was 3 and now dances full-time in a professional program at Houston Ballet Academy, often performing with the company that inspired him. It hasn’t been an easy journey: Over the years, he’s experienced severe bullying. But his passion for dance and his desire to change the way people think about boys in ballet have kept him going.
Q: What do you like about ballet?
A: I love knowing that there’s always something you can work harder on. It’s really cool to see growth in yourself and be proud of getting the steps.
Q: What are some misconceptions people have about boys in ballet?
A: I’ve heard the image is that you have more feminine traits, and I don’t think that’s true. My friends at ballet are all unique. Some are really into soccer and football; some play guitar.
Q: You help teach dance to other boys. What’s the best part of that?
A: Seeing them get excited about things I used to get excited about, and seeing them smile and be free and happy. I think it’s all about showing your emotions and affecting someone else’s emotions with your dancing.
Q: What have you learned from your experience with dance so far?
A: I found that being courageous and being bold and standing out is one of the biggest gifts. It’s not something you should hide.
This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity