Ballet dancer Gabrielle Chock has advanced to this weekend’s second round of the 2014 USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss.The 16-year-old Honolulu resident is among 54 semifinalists in the junior division.

During the two-week competition, held every four years, dancers are evaluated in three categories: artistry, technical skill and musicality. Ninety-one dancers were selected for the first round from a pool of 300 video applicants.

Gabrielle began dancing at age 3 after her parents, Derrick and Gwen Chock, took her to a ballet performance. She also plays violin and piano but hopes to become a professional dancer.

"I’ve always loved the work ethic and being on stage. It’s my dream to be in a ballet company," she said.

She started out with Ballet Hawaii but has traveled and worked with different coaches. Gabrielle is home-schooled and for the past year has been splitting her time between Hawaii and Florida, where she studies at the Art of Classical Ballet School of Dance in Pompano Beach under the direction of Magaly Suarez.

If Gabrielle advances to round three, she will compete Tuesday through Thursday for gold, silver and bronze medals. Winners will be announced Friday.

Even if she doesn’t make it to the final round, the journey was worthwhile because dance company scouts attend the sessions, she said.

"There are scholarships and job offers and we get to work with different choreographers," Gabrielle said.