Rylaigh Lord was born and raised in San Diego, beginning her ballet training at the Coronado Academy of Dance and San Diego Civic Youth Ballet before joining San Diego Ballet school under Robin Sheretz-Morgan. Rylaigh has also trained at schools around San Diego such as Coronado School of the Arts under Gina Bolles Sorensen, and City Ballet of San Diego under Steven Wistrich.Having a very diverse background in dance, she is trained in many styles including ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and modern. Throughout her time as a student, Rylaigh has performed many roles in various ballets such as Giselle, Snow White, Swan Lake, Paquita, Eight to the Barre, and has danced alongside the San Diego Ballet company on their annual Nutcracker tour since 2021. She has also attended summer intensives with Joffrey Ballet School, City Ballet School, and San Diego Ballet School. This is Rylaigh’s first season with the San Diego Ballet as a trainee.
- What ignited your passion for dance?
Having the opportunity to be on stage as a young child is where my passion for dance began. The stage and the dance studio was where I felt most myself growing up and being there was the only way I wanted to spend my time.
- What inspired you to pursue a professional career in dance?
The idea of being able to do what I love more than anything as my job inspired me to pursue a career in dance. Dance is my greatest passion and being able to show art in the form of dance inspires me like nothing else.
- What is your favorite thing about being a dancer?
My favorite thing about being a dancer is the comfort I feel in the studio and dance environment. Though physically demanding at times, dance feels like a second home to me and the community I get to work with is definitely one of my favorite things about it.
- What is your biggest dream for your dance career?
My dream would be to have a long career in dance and hopefully be strong enough to one day dance roles in some of my favorite ballets I’ve always dreamed of being a part of. When you’re not pirouetting and perfecting your pliés, what brings you joy?
- When you’re not pirouetting or perfecting your plies, what brings you joy?
Other than dance, spending time with my family and friends brings me the most joy.
- What is the most transformative experience you’ve had as a dancer?
I would say rehearsing and performing Eight to the Barre last May with San Diego Ballet was my most transformative experience as I had never done a style of swing and jazz influenced ballet previously, it pushed me out of my comfort zone. Having this experience completely changed me as a dancer as rehearsing with a professional company and learning such complex choreography gave me a perspective on what a ballet career would look like ultimately playing a huge factor in my decision to pursue career in dance.
- What is your favorite ballet?
My favorite ballet is Giselle.
- What is your favorite role you have performed at San Diego Ballet and what is a role you would like to perform in the future?
My favorite role I have performed at San Diego Ballet would be Clara in The Nutcracker. In the future, I would love to perform as one of the lead girls in San Diego Ballet’s Mambomania as it is also one of my favorite ballets.
- What is your favorite local spot in San Diego?
My favorite spot in San Diego is Convoy Street.