Artistry is not dead -- nor is it dying. Yet contemporary life makes it more and more challenging. To make sure that artistry continues to reign supreme despite these challenges, we need to keep the dialogue alive among dance professionals.

With American ballet company directors and boards lamenting the low status of ballet in the minds of the general public, what would happen if our ballet companies offered more options during the holiday season? How did we get ourselves trapped in a can of Nuts?

Isabella Boylston and Sarah Lane are two young soloists at American Ballet Theatre who are working hard to buck the odds and become principal dancers. It's not easy and there are obstacles to overcome.

Isabella Boylston seems ready to make her move and take her place along the great American ballerinas if she continues to build on the great performance she delivered in last Wednesday's matinee.