by Judy Lynn Hubbard


Life for a Black ballerina can be a difficult one. You have to constantly fight the perception of what a “ballerina’s body” is and work twice as hard as others to prove your ability to do the job. After years of this, Natasha Carter finally has the opportunity for a lead role with the Johnson Ballet Company’s production of Romeo and Juliet.


Damien Johnson has started his ballet company as a way to stay involved in the industry after an accident has ended his own dance career. Damien has been burned in the past by women using him for his position. Natasha doesn’t want any distractions as she finally has a chance to be the prima ballerina that she always wanted to be. The attraction between them can threaten their professional relationship if they aren’t careful.


Our First Dance was a sweet read that included lots of interesting background on ballet as a discipline and what it takes to be successful at it.