Dana Raffoul is magic on the dance floor no matter the style. From pas de deux to pop and lock, there isn't a trick she doesn't have in her bag.
"Mostly you'll just find an excellent ballet dancer or an excellent hip hop dancer but what I feel makes me stand out is that I have both and they're both at like an equal level," said Dana.
The 16-year-old has been on the dance floor since she was 3 years old, and competing since she was 11.
But two years ago her career almost came to an end when she dislocated her knee.
The injury almost kept her off the floor for good however she would not accept never dancing again, and after struggling through months of physiotherapy made it back to the place she loves, earning her her first paid dancing job at age 15.
"It was really important because I want to make a career out of dance, it's not just like a hobby to me, it's everything I do. I sleep, eat, breathe, dance," said Dana.
Her versatility in hip hop, jazz, ballet and modern dance makes her one of the top dancers at Tripoli Studios, where director and choreographer Giulia Tripoli cannot praise her enough.
"It's rare that you find somebody with her maturity level, the hard work, the dedication and the natural talent," said Tripoli.
That admiration is shared by her fellow dancers.
"What I love about her is she's already so amazing but she always willing to grow," said Kristian Dalisay.
"She's pretty much one of the youngest ones we have here at the agency but she's at every class, she's always working hard. She's not just a talent she really works for it," said Randi Liberman.
Working hard is second nature to Dana, who knows that overcoming injury is just one step in becoming a great dancer.
"I'm very determined to make my dream come true."
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