Tryon graduated as an Ontario Scholar, along with the 19 other students in her class. She was one of seven who had been attending the NBS since Grade 7. Many students from Sudbury recently closed the books on their high school careers. Sarah Tryon was one of them, but her high school experience was far from average.
The 18-year-old from Hanmer just graduated from the National Ballet School (NBS) in Toronto.
She is the second dancer from northern Ontario to do so since the school opened 50 years ago.
From Grade 7 to 12, Tryon split her time between traditional classrooms and dance studios. She said she “loved” the experience of being away from home and learning in an environment so dedicated to ballet.
Tryon graduated as an Ontario Scholar, along with the 19 other students in her class. She was one of seven who had been attending the NBS since Grade 7.
After dancing at the Diane Boulais Dance Studio for a year, Tryon decided to bank the money she earned as a Northern Life carrier from Grade 3 to 6, in order to audition for a NBS summer program in the fall of 2003.
She was one of 150 dancers from around the world invited to attend the summer program at the school. Following that summer, she was invited to attend the school full-time.
Tryon explained that in order to be accepted to return to the school each year, dancers must continue to meet the aesthetic of ballet, and their bodies must not have any weaknesses that could lead to injury.
Leaving home to live in Toronto at such a young age was initially difficult for her parents, Sue and Jeff Tryon, but they said it seemed like the right thing to do.
A lot of girls get held back by their parents.
Sarah Tryon,
ballet dancer
“It was hard the first two months for Jeff and I,” Sue said. “We know that’s the best place for her (though).”
The former École Publique Foyer-Jeunesse student said she was thankful her parents let her go.
“A lot of girls get held back by their parents,” she said.
Tryon said she always felt safe while being away.
Although she didn’t lead what many would consider a “normal” childhood, Tryon said she enjoyed her experience at the NBS.
“I loved growing up in residence,” she said. “My entire class, we’ve always been in residence. We raised each other.”
Growing up at the school was busy, but Tryon said she still had time for fun.
“We actually have a pretty normal teenage life,” she said. “Toronto is a pretty cultural city.”
Supplied photo.
She added that she and her classmates would go to free concerts and ballet productions. In her senior years, she said she had a bit more freedom, but ballet always remained the focus.
With high school behind her, Tryon is looking forward to the next stage of her journey. She is attending a post-secondary dance academy in Switzerland.
“It’s training to get a job,” the aspiring professional ballet dancer said.
Tryon said because of her petite stature, she will likely stay in Europe to find a job after her one to two years of schooling are complete. In Canada, professional ballet companies prefer taller dancers, she explained.
She said she is most excited about moving to Europe.
Once her official schooling begins in August, she will be dancing full-time. An extra four hours of dance will be added to her daily schedule.
“I’m excited about the ballet training,” she said.
Tryon and her family wished to thank the community sponsors, including Vale, Carole and Paul Holla from Holla’s Produce and Greenhouses, and Hanmer Home Harware, who helped her realize her dreams.
Tryon also received the Tom and Diana Brown Scholarship from the school for six years of her studies.
 
