Pointed toes encased in rose ballet shoes glide gracefully across the black floor. Light streams in through the open windows of the studio creating a natural spotlight for the ballet dancers. The concentration almost tangible, they move in unison, arms fluttering like the fragile wings of a butterfly. Dust particles engage in their own pirouettes, imitating the dancers as they skate on air.

While a typical student may start their day thinking about going to school, freshman Shannon Landheer first thinks about going to ballet rehearsal. Six days a week she commutes to Berkeley Ballet Theater to pursue her love of dancing.

“Ballet is a lot of work, but the end result is extremely satisfying,” Landheer said.

She spends a total of 17-18 hours each week practicing and refining her technique. Although this may seem like a huge sacrifice, Landheer views it as an essential part of her life.

“It’s my second home,” she said.

Landheer began ballet classes at the age of two, and has continued ever since. She said her family has been very supportive throughout her ballet career.

Senior Josh Landheer, her older brother, said he admires the time and energy that she puts into ballet.

“I think Shannon’s focus also reflects in school,” Josh said.

Shannon recently became one of the youngest members of the Youth Company at Berkeley Ballet Theater, which is the highest level for teenagers.

The artistic director at Berkeley Ballet Theater, Susan Weber, attributed Shannon’s accomplishments to her hard work and obvious love of ballet. Weber said she enjoys working with Shannon.

“Shannon is grounded, steady and has a calming influence on everybody,” Weber said.

Fellow Youth Company ballet dancer, junior Kailee Lin, said she always feels comfortable around Shannon because of her friendly manner.

“She draws your attention on stage because her outgoing personality shows through her dancing,” Lin said.

Shannon said that her dancing reflects her personality, but it also has affected her personality.

“Ballet is not a team sport,” Shannon said. “It has definitely made me more independent.”

Shannon said that during her years at Berkeley Ballet Theater, she has made friends who she looks forward to seeing everyday. These friends encouraged Shannon when she had to pause her ballet career due to foot surgeries. Shannon said coming back after the break was challenging because all of her friends had moved up and she had to put in even more effort to regain her strength.

“Major injuries are very hard to come back from physically as well as psychologically and Shannon was able to do that, which is a significant accomplishment,” Weber said.

In the future, Shannon said she aspires to become a professional dancer like Misty Copeland or Maria Kochetkova, her two favorite professional ballet dancers.

“I definitely want to pursue dancing as my career,” Shannon said. “If not as a professional dancer, maybe as a dance teacher.”