Lauren Alving

With Hawaiian roots, Lauren started training in ballet at the age of 10. As she grew up, she relished ballet’s physical and mental challenges and decided to pursue a career in the art form.

Lauren’s formative training took place under Sherry Moray, former Principal Ballerina and mentee of Maria Tallchief. Lauren continued her training at Dutch National Ballet Academy for 2 years, earning an Associate Degree before joining JBA. Lauren completed the first year of her Junior Ballet Antwerp course.

Lauren: “The varied learning experiences which JBA is able to offer are invaluable! I hope to learn from my mistakes and develop into a trustworthy artist who can be of added value to a company. With its fine team of teachers, coaches, and choreographers, I’m positive that JBA will help me develop the skills needed for a professional dancer today.”

Lauren is not specific about where she dreams of dancing professionally except to explain that there are many companies in Europe that offer a diverse repertoire, and this, to her mind, will keep ballet relevant by helping it diversify and evolve. She hopes to pursue a professional ballet and contemporary dance career with one of the many fine European companies. 

Her favorite ballet is ‘Playlist’ by William Forsythe, certainly an example of enthralling present-day ballet. 

©Nicha Rodboon