Here is a fascinating article on Houston Ballet Academy's intense Level 8 program and of two of its dedicated students. One is a native Houstonian who wishes to follow in the footsteps of Lauren Anderson, the first African-American principal dancer at Houston Ballet. The other is a boy from Petaluma, California, who amazingly has had only two years of classical ballet training. Apparently, virtually all of the Level 8 graduates go on to professional careers:<P> <A HREF="http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/texas/562572" TARGET=_blank>http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/texas/562572</A> <P><BR>The academy's website is at:<P> <A HREF="http://www.houstonballet.org/Academy/acadwel.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.houstonballet.org/Academy/acadwel.htm</A>