Geneviève Basu Takes Center Stage in The Nutcracker

11/18/21

Geneviève Basu will soon dance the part of the Snow Queen in the Greensboro Ballet Company production of The Nutcracker.

Life can be a dance, and for Geneviève Basu, these days life is quite literally a performance. Since graduating from Laurel Springs in 2017, Geneviève has graduated college and entered the workforce as a professional ballerina. She recently shared how her education led her to success in the arts and the lessons she's taken with her. 

I am so grateful for Laurel Springs online school," Geneviève says. "Laurel Springs allowed me to continue my high school education and apply to colleges while balancing my busy schedule. Laurel Springs gave me the resources I needed to prepare for college while preparing for life after college as well. The teachers and counselors always worked hard to help me succeed. With their support, I was able to graduate high school, college, and enter the workforce as soon as I graduated." 

Fast-Tracking Her Education

Geneviève’s academic ambitions led her to the University of Utah where she condensed her college track into three years — leading her to graduate in the spring of 2020 with a bachelor's degree in fine arts in ballet. She truly took advantage of every opportunity available to her.

At the University of Utah, I performed multiple lead roles, one of which was 'Lise' in Bruce Marks' version of ‘La Fille mal Gardee.’ While I attended, my classes consisted of ballet, modern, jazz, improvisation, theater, choreography classes, music classes, kinesiology classes, and my general education requirements."

Artistic Pursuits

Fast forward to the present, Geneviève is living and breathing ballet — and she wouldn't have it any other way. She's currently a professional ballet dancer, teacher, and choreographer with the Greensboro Ballet Company. Recently, she performed the third Odalisque variation for their first live performance since December 2019. No shortage of passion for the arts, she also premiered her new work titled “A Warm Return." In other words, there's no stopping this ambitious young lady!

I feel lucky to work with such a wonderful group of artists so soon after graduating college," Geneviève reflects.

What's next for Geneviève? She's currently rehearsing her performance as the Snow Queen, as well as various soloist roles in Greensboro Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker. And, she recently performed in DanceArtTheater's annual Transformations Showcase in Fairfax, Virginia, on Nov. 20. 

Maintaining Connections

No doubt Geneviève has a fruitful career ahead of her, yet she's still intentional about keeping in touch with her peers at Laurel Springs. 

I feel so fortunate to have access to the Laurel Springs Alumni Connect platform," says Geneviève. "I hope to build connections and share experiences with other alumni who attended Laurel Springs' online school. I truly value all the wonderful connections I've made this far in my life and continuing to create connections through the LSS Alumni Connect platform means creating even more mutual opportunities for other LSS alumni."

Geneviève is also appreciative of those adults who made an impression on her while at Laurel Springs. In particular, she gives credit to Alyssa Polakowski, college and alumni relations manager.

[Alyssa] always had useful advice for helping me through my studies and genuinely cared about how I was doing in and outside of class," Geneviève says. "The understanding and kindness she gave me inspire me to this day and I am forever grateful."

Geneviève Basu Reaches for the Stars

Geneviève is humble, yet driven to succeed. When asked what the future holds for her, she unequivocally says ballet will always play a role.

My professional goals are to one day join a larger-scale ballet company and to have at least a 10-year performing career," she says. "After I retire from the stage, I plan to take on a leadership role inside a ballet company where I will teach, choreograph, and/or run a ballet school or company." 

We wish Geneviève Basu all the best and can't wait to see where life (and ballet) takes her!