Phillipa Stewart has been in New York for more than a fortnight but has yet to see any of the sights as she is focused on one thing - classical ballet.
The former Queen's High School pupil is making the most of a rare opportunity to dance fulltime in the Big Apple with the Ajkun Ballet Theatre.
It means four weeks of morning classes and afternoon rehearsals but hopefully it will lead to a chance to perform and be seen by New York producers and directors. In turn, it could lead to a paid dancing position.
''It's pretty cool. It's been great to see dancers from all over the world ... we're all in the same boat.''
Miss Stewart (24) has been working towards her big break since she left school and moved to Christchurch in 2007 to train fulltime with Canterbury Ballet.
It was a big step as she had not previously given serious thought to ballet as a career option despite learning the art since she was small and regularly achieving distinction at ballet exams.
''It was just something I did,'' she said from New York.
When a teacher suggested making it a career, she realised it was the one thing she was really passionate about.
While on a trip to Melbourne with Canterbury Ballet she was offered a place at the National Theatre Ballet School under the directorship of Beverly Jane Fry.
''I loved Melbourne. I moved there the next year.''
What followed was two years of 10- to 12-hour days, six days a week, of classes, not only in dance, but in nutrition, anatomy, dance history, music and make-up, and rehearsals as she worked towards her Advanced Diploma in Arts (classical dance).
''It was rough, really hard on your feet and body.''
Despite this, she would not change a thing and her efforts were rewarded with an AMP Regional Scholarship.
''Dancers love to complain about how hard it is but at the end of the day we get up and do it again. You've definitely got to have the passion.''
Since then she has done two seasons with the Tasmanian Classical Ballet Company and toured America and Europe doing auditions - mostly lining up with 200 girls all vying for one job.
''I was testing the waters. You've got to be in the right place at the right time.''
Not having work visas meant it was extra difficult for dancers from Down Under.
It was while she was in London that she was offered the opportunity to go to New York, and ''had to [decide] on the spot''.
She grabbed the opportunity and was now living the dream thanks to help from her parents and the support of friends and fellow dancers.
When the programme was over she would return to her base in Melbourne and work towards the next opportunity.
That meant continuing to take classes to keep up her fitness and technique while she worked in a restaurant 35 hours a week to pay rent, living expenses and for pointe shoes ($90 a pair) which sometimes lasted only three days.
Her determination meant she had only returned ''home'' to Dunedin three or four times in six years.
''I'd like in the future to come back to Dunedin. I miss the beach, I miss New Zealand music. I definitely still call New Zealand home.''
