Carey Hodovanich was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She began dancing at Dublin Dance Center and trained in many styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, and modern. She pursued higher education at the University of Alabama, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.
During her time at the University of Alabama, Carey studied under Qianping Guo, Cornelious Carter, Rita Snyder, and Lawrence Jackson, as well as performed in works staged by James Jordan, Lauren Giordano Whittington, and Mikhail Ilyin. Notable roles include soloist in Todd Bolender’s fifth movement of Voyager, soloist in Shumann’s Sonatas, and ensemble member in the first collegiate staging of Gus Giordano’s Sing Sing Sing. In 2019, Carey joined Yonder Contemporary Dance Company, under Sarah and Mark Barry. As an artist, she helped choreograph, promote, and perform an original contemporary concert work, False Awakenings, and collaborated with local musicians to create an original score. The concert was selected to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, but was cancelled due to COVID.
Carey joined Ballet Pensacola’s corps de ballet under Darren McIntyre in 2021 and was promoted to soloist in 2022. During her years with Ballet Pensacola, she danced many soloist roles including Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote, Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Crystal Fountain Fairy and Cinderella in The Sleeping Beauty. She has also performed the Pas de Trois des Odalisques from Le Corsaire and featured roles in Romeo and Juliet, The Phantom of the Opera, and the Nutcracker. Carey had the opportunity to partner with the Pensacola Opera as a dancer in Rodger and Hammerstein’s Carousel and has danced alongside the Pensacola Symphony on numerous occasions.
What ignited your passion for dance?
I was signed up for a ballet/tap combo class at three years old and never looked back!
What inspired you to pursue a professional career in dance?
I didn’t consider a professional career in dance until the end of my freshman year of college. I initially set out to be a civil engineer and only had the dance major because I was not ready to close that chapter of my life. I realized I was so much happier in my dance classes and I love performing, so it only made sense to pursue a career that made me feel so fulfilled and joyful.
What is your favorite thing about being a dancer?
In the pursuit of perfection, I develop not only my technique, but also my determination, work ethic, and perseverance. Getting to leave the studio at the end of the day exhausted is so rewarding because I know I not only grew in a technical sense, but also as a person.
What is your biggest dream for your dance career?
I would love to reach a point in my career that allows me to support myself through dance alone. I want to be able to dedicate my full time, energy, and focus to dancing without sacrificing my financial stability.
When you are not pirouetting and perfecting your pliés, what brings you joy?
I love to read, especially crime thrillers! I also enjoy cooking, going to the beach, and watching Alabama football!
What is the most transformative experience you’ve had as a dancer?
Performing as Carlotta in Darren McIntrye’s The Phantom of the Opera was a big turning point in my career artistically. She was such a larger than life character to portray and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I was no longer just going through the motions of choreography, but putting intention behind every movement.
What is your favorite ballet?
Balanchine’s Serenade is one of my favorite ballets. The music, the costumes, the corps work, I love it all.
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?
This is my first season working with San Diego Ballet so I don’t have a favorite role quite yet. My favorite role I’ve ever performed was Carlotta in The Phantom of the Opera. I’d love to someday perform as the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland.
What is your favorite local spot in San Diego?
Verbatim books.