MARA BRUST has been dancing since the age of three and began studying with the Gasper’s in 2000. She has studied ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz, tap, character and hip hop. Mara has performed in numerous productions throughout the years and was with the Fargo Moorhead Ballet company in its inaugural season. In 2007, Mara graduated Summa Cum Laude from NDSU with a B.A. in Journalism, Broadcasting & Mass Communication Technologies. She took a three-year hiatus from dance to earn a Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law. Mara returned to Fargo last year to practice law with Conmy Feste Ltd. and dances with the Fargo Moorhead Ballet company.

Q. How long have you trained as a dancer, what styles are you trained in, and what is your favorite style of dance?
I have been dancing since the age of three. I’ve studied ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz, tap, character and hip hop. My favorite styles are ballet and modern/lyrical for opposite reasons: I love the structure and discipline that goes into studying ballet and the release that comes with modern.

Q. How long have you danced with the Fargo Moorhead Ballet company? What is your favorite thing about being in the company?
I danced with the Fargo Moorhead Ballet company in its first season. I later left for three years to attend law school and am so happy to be back! I love having a creative outlet I am so passionate about.

Q. What activities do you engage in outside of dance?
I am an attorney with Conmy Feste, Ltd. I am also a leader of the Fargo chapter of New Generation North Dakota.  In whatever free time that leaves me, I enjoy cooking, politics, music, fitness, and sampling good food and wine.

Q. What do you look most forward to in the 2012-2013 FM Ballet Season?
Putting on two full-length ballets should be a great challenge.