Making the leap

Emma Matthews, 14, of Vernon has been awarded a scholarship to the Rock School of Ballet in Philadelphia's year-round program. She will attend as a full-time resident. Here, she dances in front of the Academy in downtown Philadelphia. Emma, a student of the Branchville Dance Centre in Olde Lafayette Village, has been an active company member since she was 9. She has been studying ballet extensively since she was 3 and plans to make a professional career in dance. She has also modeled professionally for dance costume companies and was featured in a national catalog.