Young performer heads to Joffrey Ballet School’s Summer Intensive in Miami
by Lorne Chambers | Editor
On July 4th, Scarlett Hiers will turn 9 years old. And sure, there will be fireworks and flag-waving, birthday cake and presents. But that’s not even close to the most exciting thing this All-American gal will be celebrating in July. Scarlett was recently accepted into the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School’s Summer Intensive, an elite program that admits only a select group of young dancers aged 8-18 each year.
Scarlett and her family will be heading to Miami this month, where she’s looking forward to honing her technique with a week of rigorous training. Scarlett loves training. Yes, she loves the stage and the spotlight, but she also enjoys the work that goes into getting to perform in front of other people.
“I want to learn new skills. I think it’s really fun to learn,” says Scarlett, when discussing what she’s most looking forward to at the Summer Intensive in Miami.
When she was two-and-a-half years old, she began taking lessons at Charleston Dance Center (CDC) in West Ashley. In 2022 she competed on CDC’s Just Dance! Mini Mini Team, helping the team win first place at all four dance competitions, including Nationals. This year she enjoyed taking Lyrical, Broadway Bound and Acro and performing in their Year End Performance
“She is very determined,” says her mother, Ghislaine Hiers. “It didn’t always come naturally to her. She had to work at all the skills she aquired.”
Scarlett’s hard work is really paying off. Not only was she accepted into The Joffrey School for her Jazz and Contemporary dance, but she hopes to apply again and get accepted for her ballet next year. Scarlett was also recently honored by the Charleston County School District and last month participated in its Summer SMAART (Students Mastering the Academic Arts) Program. This two-week summer initiative offered instruction in dance, drama, music, and visual art for those who have been identified by the district as talented and gifted.
According to her mother, Scarlett trains six days a week, between 15-20 hours, including elite dance training at The Dance Conservatory of Charleston in West Ashley, where she takes Ballet, Pre-point, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Tap. Scarlett performs in the Conservatory’s yearly performances of the Nutcracker and their spring performance, both at the College of Charleston’s Sottile Theater. She will also perform in an educational presentation of the Nutcracker at the Galliard Auditorium this winter.
Scarlett plans to enter the Conservatory’s pre-professional program in the future and has recently started taking aerial hoop classes at Amorous Dance in West Ashley. She has found a new love for this unique class. She also takes tumbling classes at Pack Athletics in West Ashley.
Along with dance, Scarlett also loves pop music, including artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift (her favorite T-Swift song is “Cruel Summer,” in case you were wondering). As a 3rd grader, Scarlett recently choreographed her own performance for her school’s talent show, dancing to Alessia Cara’s “Scars To Your Beautiful.” She also began taking music lessons (guitar and vocal) with local singer-songwriter Hollyn Belle. Scarlett has even picked out the playlist for the family car ride to Miami later this month.
“Dad’s driving, so half the time we’re going to listen to Taylor Swift and half the time whatever he wants to listen to,” says Scarlett, who, in addition to training, is looking forward to checking out South Florida’s famed beaches.
