Sharp named national ballet winner
Little Miami students find many ways to express their talents in the classroom and in one LM seventh grader’s case, also on the stage.
Little Miami Junior High student Riley Sharp is the 2018 national winner of the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Dance Competition in the ballet.
As the winner in her age division, Sharp received a cash award, will be featured in the organization’s national magazine, and will also have some public performances, including a performance this month at the Ohio Federation of Music Club’s state convention.
Sharp first started ballet at age 4 when she took a hobby dance class at the YMCA and soon progressed to dancing at ballet tech of Ohio, where she has studied with Claudia Rudolph-Barrett for eight years. She has also studied dancers from the Cincinnati Ballet.
Sharp has danced the lead role of “Clara” in ballet tech of Ohio’s production of “The Nutcracker” for two consecutive years, and most recently danced the role of “Snow White.” She was featured in the "Student Corner" section of the May/June 2018 issue of Cincinnati's Center Stage Dance Magazine.
This summer, Sharp performed in 28 shows at LaComedia Dinner Theater’s production of the hit Broadway musical Annie, playing the role of Duffy.
Sharp plans to become a professional dancer someday. She was recently recognized during a Little Miami football game in front of the home crowd.
