Melissa Verdecia always knew she wanted a baby, but as a dancer with Ballet Hispanico, she also knew getting pregnant would mean significant time off from a career that depends entirely on her body. It was easy to postponeâafter the next tour, she told herself, or when she got a coveted role.
Then in March 2020, Ballet Hispanico stopped all in-person operations when New York City entered its COVID-19 lockdown. Verdecia and her husbandâBallet Hispanico dancer Lyvan Verdeciaâwere laid off along with the rest of the companyâs dancers. It was a full-blown crisisâwith one unexpected upside. Their schedules were wide open.Â
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