Feature Story

Demitra Bereveskos
For most young girls, dancing on a stage alongside some of the world's most elite dancers is
something they only dream of, but for Demitra Bereveskos, this is reality. At only age 14,
Demitra's dance career is escalating uickly.
!" guess " have always been interested in music and dancing # " was always dancing around
the house,$ recalled Demitra. %er natural inclination and &oy brought to her through dancing
was something that she chose to 'ursue through taking every o''ortunity 'resented to her.
By doing this, she has found great success within the dance world for such a young girl.
(his success, though, is not something that comes without determination, 'assion and some
sacrifice. Demitra's life is different from that of other children, filled with intense training and
e)tensive travel. (his does not leave much time for other activities and leaves her missing her
three younger siblings, *iorgos +1,-, .urilla +/- and Alessia +0- much of the time. Demitra has
dedicated herself to her dancing, taking on homeschooling to allow her to focus the time
needed on her training. %er 'arents have even committed to renting studio s'ace at a local
dance studio for Demitra to 'ractice her techniue when she is not on the road.
A native of "ndiana'olis, Demitra began her ballet training at 12years2old in her hometown. But
now, and for the 'ast two years, she travels to 3ew *ork 4ity every two weeks to train with
5alentina 6o7lova, a renowned instructor. 6o7lova's dance career has included her dancing
as a 'rinci'al for both the Bolshoi Ballet and 3ew *ork 4ity Ballet, and she now runs her own
dance school, the 5alentina 6o7lova Dance 4onservatory of 3ew *ork where she trains some
of the most talented young dancers. Demitra also has several other mentors at the 5alentina
6o7lova Dance 4onservatory that are hel'ing 're'are her for her future in dance.
Demitra and her mother, .isa %iday, credit her advancement with these outstanding teachers
to the "ndiana'olis 4ity Ballet's 8enny and 9ock Fortune :aster 4lass ;eries where, as a
guest teacher, 6o7lova singled2out Demitra to offer her a full scholarshi' to her school in 3ew
*ork 4ity. !(he first thing " noticed about her in class was the fire in her eyes # you can<t teach
that and " always think that<s the first characteristic of a successful dancer is the drive, the
determination,$ said 6o7lova.
!Demitra has really benefited from the fantastic teachers and world2renown dance
'rofessionals that "ndiana'olis 4ity Ballet has brought into "ndiana'olis,$ commented %iday. !"
don't know of anything else like it where dancers in a community get such broad e)'osure to
ballet.$
Along with acuiring e)cellent dance instructors and mentors, Demitra has also had many
other great accom'lishments in her dance career, ranging from winning =old :edal at the
,>1? 56"B4 in 3ew *ork 4ity, winning numerous gold medals at the *outh America =rand
8ri) @egional ;emi2finals in "ndiana'olis, winning ;ilver :edal at the ,>1, Boston
"nternational Ballet 4om'etition and becoming 'ri7e winner at the ,>1, (an7Alym' in Berlin,
=ermany to being awarded numerous scholarshi's for study at ballet schools in the B.;. and
abroad. ;he has also gained ama7ing 'erformance o''ortunities such as 'erforming as a
soloist in "ndiana'olis 4ity Ballet's *oung ;tars of Ballet 8B; broadcast and their ,>1,
Cvening with the ;tars 'erformance.
Again this year, Demitra will 'erform as a soloist for the "ndiana'olis 4ity Ballet's Cvening with
the ;tars 'erformance along with some of the world's best, most sought2after dancers. !" am
really e)cited to share the stage with so many talented dancers from around the world. *ou
get to see a different side backstage watching them 're'are. *ou see something entirely
different off2stage than you do from the audience's side,$ e)'lained Demitra.
!" don't get nervous for her anymore. " am e)cited for this fantastic o''ortunity for Demitra and
" en&oy watching her on stage and getting to interact with 'rofessionals in a 'rofessional
setting,$ remarked %iday. !" used to get nervous thoughD$
!Before the curtain goes u' on a 'erformance, if " feel nervous " &ust think ha''y thoughts #
like games " 'lay with my brother and sisters,$ Demitra said.
After recently 'artici'ating in a short study term at 4anada's 3ational Ballet ;chool in (oronto,
Demitra's as'irations for her dance career seem to be influenced by the e)'erience. ;he
shared that she wants to dance 'rofessionally in a classical com'any in either Curo'e or
4anada. For this young lady, there is no doubt that she will reach whatever goals she sets.