Dancing—we’ve all done it. Whether it was being dragged to ballet as a five-year-old, square dancing in gym, or crumping eight-year-old-style at hip-hop, chances are not many have danced with as much dedication and commitment as senior Amber Lerman.

With 15 years of dance experience under her shoes in not only ballet but flamenco, jazz, modern and contemporary, it is no surprise she was chosen to perform with the esteemed Moscow Ballet in the holiday classic, “The Russian Nutcracker.” The Moscow Ballet has been touring in North America for 19 years. Lerman heard of the audition opportunity from her grandfather and auditioned in the summer. She was handpicked among many other aspiring ballerinas. After an intense 10-week period of rehearsals, Lerman embarked on her chance — and dance — of a lifetime.

The performance took place in December in Chicago when Lerman danced the role of an Arabian princess.

“It was a great experience and it was really exciting to be able to perform with a professional ballet company,” Lerman said.

She plans to continue ballet in college. “I like to do ballet because when I’m dancing, I’m happy,” she said. It’s not everyday you see a teenager following their dreams with such rigorous commitment and drive.

Lerman’s next performance will be in June, performing Burritino (Russian version of Pinocchio), at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts.