Allyssa Bross, 21
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

What's your favorite ballet to watch?
"I love watching Romeo and Juliet — there's so much passion in it. It was the first ballet I saw the New York City Ballet perform. Juliet is my dream role."

We know ballet is not an easy lifestyle, even just physically speaking. What's the hardest demand you face?
"The hardest part about being a professional dancer is that you're looking at yourself in the mirror all day, comparing yourself to all of the other dancers in the room. It took me a while to learn that I'm beautiful and don't have to try to be like someone else. Every dancer is different and brings their own unique qualities to the table. That's what makes the art form so beautiful — no two dancers will ever be the same. When I compare myself to others, I become insecure and don't dance to the best of my abilities. Staying confident, strong, and true to myself helps me maintain my highest performance level."