Blaze Ferrer

That was Jessica Ribeiro. Jessica is in Seattle happily parenting four kids, writing novels, and completing a master's in creative writing and the performing arts from University of California, Riverside. Her ballet memoir, The Almost Dancer, is available now. We asked Jessica if she ever got back into dancing. Here's what she had to say.

I have danced in smaller companies since then, taught children, and been a rehearsal director. The physical injuries required several years of healing. The emotional wounds needed decades. I wrote therapeutically about the process of rediscovering myself as an artist and eventually organized it all into a book.

I have danced in smaller companies since then, taught children, and been a rehearsal director. The physical injuries required several years of healing. The emotional wounds needed decades. I wrote therapeutically about the process of rediscovering myself as an artist and eventually organized it all into a book.

I have danced in smaller companies since then, taught children, and been a rehearsal director. The physical injuries required several years of healing. The emotional wounds needed decades. I wrote therapeutically about the process of rediscovering myself as an artist and eventually organized it all into a book.

Right now, I'm the overjoyed choreographer for High School Musical Junior at my kids' high school and a writer with many projects on my Google Drive. When I work with students, I tell them that their ambitions are precious and priceless, but today is what we're here for. My dancing life gave me grit and courage.

Right now, I'm the overjoyed choreographer for High School Musical Junior at my kids' high school and a writer with many projects on my Google Drive. When I work with students, I tell them that their ambitions are precious and priceless, but today is what we're here for. My dancing life gave me grit and courage.

Right now, I'm the overjoyed choreographer for High School Musical Junior at my kids' high school and a writer with many projects on my Google Drive. When I work with students, I tell them that their ambitions are precious and priceless, but today is what we're here for. My dancing life gave me grit and courage.

Losing it gave me the opportunity to learn compassion, find new joys, and appreciate the gift of being present. That's it for this episode. From all of us here at The Moth, we hope the next week is filled with as much dancing as your heart can handle.

Losing it gave me the opportunity to learn compassion, find new joys, and appreciate the gift of being present. That's it for this episode. From all of us here at The Moth, we hope the next week is filled with as much dancing as your heart can handle.

Losing it gave me the opportunity to learn compassion, find new joys, and appreciate the gift of being present. That's it for this episode. From all of us here at The Moth, we hope the next week is filled with as much dancing as your heart can handle.