Ballet is a demanding art form that requires a rare, natural ability. Dedicated students are hard to find because ballet takes much of their free time and energy. For senior Ashley Matthews, the past 12 years have been filled with learning discipline, Pliés, pointe shoes and the precision of ballet.

Since first grade, Matthews has been dancing, most recently reaching the Schenley Eighth level, which is pre-professional, prepping its ballet students for the professional league. She dances for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, which meets downtown and performs around the region.

Currently, Matthews is taking “a break” from ballet.

“Right now I am taking some time to figure things out,” she said. “I need to find out about school and things.”

Before her break, she spent three hours on the weekdays and seven hours on Saturdays dancing.

Matthew’s free time is greatly affected by dance.

“My school work is not affected, but I have to be very disciplined,” she said. “Allowing enough time for everything can be difficult; sometimes I have to give things up to make time.”

Her summer vacations are also modified; Matthews has attended five week programs at The School of American Ballet, Pacific North West Ballet and others. She believes that it was “worth it” to take the time out for such opportunities.

Although her ballet has taken her to many exciting places such as New York City and Seattle, Matthews does not plan to pursue ballet as her career.

“I am going to college for International Business at Penn State,” she said. But, her "dream" would be to perform in Spain. “Just joking,” she noted.