DANCING since she was three years old, Emily Seymour bravely left her Peakhurst home at 16 to live in the United States so she could study ballet more intensely.
In Sydney again until she could obtain another visa to return to the US, she spoke about her life in dance which at present is as an apprentice in the corps de ballet of the Houston Ballet.
That company is the fifth largest in the US, where Seymour has lived for the past two years. She received a scholarship with the Houston Ballet and has been successful in receiving an apprentice contract with the main company.
"When I moved there when I was 16, I had a few Australian friends in the company," she said.
At first Seymour lived in dormitory accommodation for a year. During her second year she started living with two other girls.
"It all made me grow up super quickly — having to cook and grocery shop," Seymour said.
With the benefit of Skype she has been able to keep in close contact with her family.
"My parents really support me and my dreams of dancing," she said.
"It's pretty hard in Houston, there are so many artists and it's a top ballet."
There has hardly been a time when Seymour didn't know she wanted to dance.
Back in 2009 she appeared at the Sydney Opera House with the Australian Ballet in the role of Clara in The Nutcracker.
Dancing seems to run in the female Seymour genes.
Brothers Mitchell, 14, and Rugby League fan Nathan, 28, are exceptions to the love of dance, Emily said.
Emily started dancing at All Starz Performing Arts Studio at Peakhurst and her ballet training was with Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy in St Leonards.
