Maura Harris is 17 years old and will be entering her final year at Arcata High School this fall. She started her ballet career with the founder of New World Ballet, Nadine Cole, at the age of 5. Her first appearance in a company performance was the role of the Sand Fairy in Hansel & Gretel in 2001. After graduating from high school next year, she hopes to attend college to get a degree in social work while continuing to dance. This past summer she spent a week in New York City taking classes at Alvin Ailey as well as Steps on Broadway. Next year she plans to attend the University of California at Santa Barbara, majoring in Sociology as well as Dance.