From DS to ABT II

In 2006, the Dance Spirit Cover Model Search was born. That year, we received an overwhelming number of entries, but in the end it was April Giangeruso—with her fresh face and flawless technique—who landed on the cover, with the help of your votes. Since then, April has taken her dance

career to great heights, and we can’t say we’re surprised. After just three months of training at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre, April was asked to join ABT II. DS chatted with this ballet beauty when she returned from a five-week tour to talk about life since her CMS win.  —Alison

Dance Spirit: You were our first-ever CMS winner! What did it feel like to win?

April Giangeruso: It was really cool! Not many young dancers get to be on the cover of a magazine. This opportunity helped me get my face and name out in the ballet world.

DS: How did you wind up with ABT II?

AG: After winning the cover, I moved to NYC, and in September 2007 I started training at JKO. In December, Wes Chapman, the director of ABT II, asked me to join the company. We travel so much and I’ve seen places I would never have seen otherwise, like Spain, Bermuda and Alaska. There’s a lot of repertoire to learn, and you have peoples’ eyes on you all the time. It makes you work hard and want to be here.




DS: What are your career goals?

AG: I hope to join ABT—the main company. I love it here, and it’s always been something I’ve wanted to be a part of.

DS: What is your advice to dancers hoping to be this year’s Cover Model Search finalists?

AG: Being on the cover of Dance Spirit definitely helped me get where I am today. To know that people out there were voting for me gave me a lot of confidence. So you have to be confident in yourself and know that dance really is a welcoming artform. People will notice you if you work hard and inspire others.