Studio: Royal Ballet School - Age: 16

In June of 2009 Millis Faust, the winner of the 2008 DISCOUNT DANCE SUPPLY Model Search Contest- -sponsored by YAGP, handed over her reign to the new title holder Lindsey Blick. I was able to ask Millis a few questions and thought your might enjoy reading about her experience.

Enjoy,

COMPEITION EXPERIENCE:

What made you decide to enter the DISCOUNT DANCE SUPPLY Model Search Contest?
Well, I actually didn't really know what it was! But I always thought it would be really fun to get to model for Discount Dance Supply, and since I had just gotten my braces off the day before, I was really happy with my new smile!!

Were you nervous during your interview?
To be honest, I am such a chatterbox and LOVE talking! (In fact, my contemporary teacher made a bet with me one day that I couldn't sit still and be quiet for 5 minutes ... but I proved her wrong and lasted for 10!!) Therefore, I found the interview quite fun; I love sharing my passion of dance with other people! However, I knew that there were so many other beautiful and talented dancers applying, and I was scared that I wouldn’t even come close to standing out in the crowd!

What did you think your chances were to be selected as one of the finalists?
I didn't think that I had the slightest chance of becoming a Model Search Finalist! I remember that there was a huge line of people waiting to get interviewed and seen, and they were all so lovely and different! I was SHOCKED when I heard my name called as a finalist!

Since America voted off a dancer each week, how did you feel at the end of each week when you noticed that you were still in the running?
I felt honored and genuinely flattered. Just to know that there are people out there who wanted to see me on a cover and wanted to see me do well is the best feeling in the world. I got so many emails and messages on Facebook of people I had never even met, just telling me that they had voted and really wanted to see me in an ad. Every single message really made a difference and I am so grateful to those who voted!

When you were notified that you were the winner, how did you feel?
Well actually the morning that the results were up on the website, I had forgotten that it was the result day! I had slept really, really late because it was Sunday and I just sat in bed forever like a bump on a log! I finally decided to reach over and grab my computer and jump on Facebook to see if I was still going to lunch with my friend that day, and I saw that I had 57 notifications! I was really confused, so I checked them and they all said “Congratulations!” and “I’m so proud of you!” Finding out the results by the messages of all of my friends was so special and I wouldn’t change it for anything!

PHOTO SHOOT EXPERIENCE:

I know you did an ad shoot with DISCOUNT DANCE SUPPLY. Since I have done several ad shoots for DISCOUNT DANCE SUPPLY I know how challenging but yet at the same time how exhilarating it can be to shoot on location. Did you enjoy this experience?
I LOVED IT! It was so awesome to shoot outdoors and experience a whole new side of Philadelphia! It was so fun to get to show off my love of dance and the beautiful clothes by the river and bridge, and learn how challenging it can be to get Mother Nature to cooperate!!

Was this your first professional shoot? And if so was it what you expected?
Actually, my first professional shoot was when I was 11 years old. I was chosen to participate in a photo shoot for Grishko® to model tights. At that time, it was quite an honor, but this time, I got to actually show my face!!

How long did the photo shoot last?
The catalog shoot lasted for about 8 hours. It was really fun to wear all of the amazing clothing and accessories that Discount Dance Supply provides. It was really awesome to get to talk with and work with the professional dancers that modeled with me that day namely Gabriella Yudenich from Pennsylvania Ballet and Morgann Rose from Washington Ballet! The ad shoot lasted for about 6 or 7 seven hours. It was a long day, but it is one of the best memories I have of the whole experience! It was so fun! Afterwards, as a reward, Nina and I went to Rita’s and got delicious water ice! Now, whenever I go to Rita’s, I always think of that day!

For our readers that have never experienced a catalog shoot can you fill us in on some of the details?
It’s really awesome! There are so many things going on, so it’s really exciting! There was a makeup artist who did our makeup before the shoot. I have never gotten to be made up for pictures before so I thought that was just amazing. Then, Nina Vance (VP Marketing for Discount Dance Supply) and Barette Vance (Soloist Pennsylvania Ballet and Discount Dance Supply Spokesperson) chose what each of us got to wear and decided if we would be shooting with another dancer, or alone. They choose the outfits from racks and stacks of clothing that seem to be everywhere!! Once we were in our outfits, we would get our makeup and hair touched up and figured out poses that would best show the clothing. I found that coming up with a pose was the hardest part. But Nina, Barette and the other dancers were so helpful, and it got easier as the day went on. It was like a dream! Clothing, makeup, professional dancers that are my idols, and taking photos doing what I love to do, what could be better!?

Where did you end up shooting that day?
For the catalog shoot, we ended up at the studio for Pennsylvania Ballet. And for the ad shoot, we shot by the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE

What has been your favorite experience(s) as being the winner?
There isn’t really one experience that is my favorite; the whole process was a blast! I am very fortunate and blessed that I even had this opportunity!

What would you say to other young dancers who might want to enter the contest next year?
I would tell them to just go for it! Or as Nike says, 'just do it!' I would also tell them to just be themselves and that everything happens for a reason. They should cherish every second they have, even if they don’t make it very far!

MILLIS’ FAREWELL STATEMENT
When I turned in my crumpled up headshot, that my mom had lost ten minutes before, to the Discount Dance table at YAGP, I never expected that I would have had the wonderful opportunity that I have experienced, much less win! I am so thankful that I have been able to get to know Nina Vance (VP Marketing Discount Dance Supply) and her lovely daughter Barette Vance (Soloist Pennsylvania Ballet and spokesperson for Discount Dance Supply), Laura Guerra (Marketing Assistant Discount Dance Supply), Paul Goode (Photographer), and the rest of the Discount Dance Supply crew. I have been able to learn more about what goes into modeling and what it takes to have a thriving business surrounded around such passionate people, wonderful pictures, and a beautiful catalog. I will take away so many lessons and much more knowledge from this experience than I would have ever expected. I have been able to open my eyes to print work modeling, and let me tell you, it is hard work! I have also learned how to work with such an esteemed photographer and I have met so many wonderful people along the way.

Thank you to all of those who voted for me in the Model Search, I really could not have done it without your help and support! Thank you to my family, my friends in so many different parts of the country, and to all of those whom I have never even met. Your support means the world to me! Thank you, Discount Dance Supply for giving students the opportunity to model your wonderful dancewear and making the process so special! Also, thanks to YAGP for sponsoring this contest with Discount Dance Supply. The opportunities that YAGP has made possible for me and for so many others have given us the true confidence that will stay with us forever.

You know, I really do believe that Forrest Gump is right, “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” Life will hand you so many great opportunities and many not so great ones, too. But to me, I think this was the best chocolate in the world, the Godiva in a mound of Hershey’s! I feel so grateful to have had this spectacular opportunity and the Discount Dance Supply family will always be a part of my life!

xoxoxo,
Millis Faust