Claudine Carter Pereira studied extensively with the Joffrey Ballet School before she put her dance career on the “back-burner” to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Loyola College in Maryland and later a Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science from Virginia Commonwealth University. Despite her change in career path, she continued dancing throughout graduate school at both Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond Ballet. Known as the “Forensic Ballerina,” Carter Pereira is currently the Director of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory. She attributes many of her successes in life to lessons learned in ballet class and shares that it is possible to pursue an alternative career and yet still maintain your passion for the arts.