Tiny Dancer, Big Dreams

When she was only four years old, Rachel Irelan began taking a range of dance classes at Scripps Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) with a focus on ballet. Now, at age 16 and after auditioning for some of the most competitive college dance programs in the country, Irelan has been accepted to the dance department at the prestigious Boston Conservatory and will graduate a year early from Scripps Ranch High School. “I’m really excited about advancing toward a career in dance and, with the incredible help of my teachers at SPAA, I’m constantly improving and learning new techniques at such a fast pace,” says Irelan.    RINAVANORDEN