Final curtain call for Kelowna ballerina

Desiree Bortolussi has been dancing since she was four years old. You can tell.

The locally born and raised dancer with the Ballet Kelowna company conducts herself with poise, grace and precision as she goes through rehearsals ahead of the season opener Ode, hitting the stage on November 8 and 9.

However, these preparations carry a different emotional weight for Bortolussi: it'll be her last performance.

After 13 years with the company she's hanging up her shoes.

"It's bittersweet, but we're still working hard to put on a great show," she told Kelowna10. "I just thought it was the right time in my life [to retire]; I can't dance forever and I really want it to end on a high."

The senior artist has danced with the company since she was 17 and will be featured in the program's three pieces, including the return of signature works – Simone Orlando's seductive Cuatro Estaciones and Guillaume Côté's riveting Bolero – as well as the Canadian premiere of the virtuosic The Reassuring Effets (of Form and Poetry) from trailblazing American choreographer Trey McIntyre.

Once Bortolussi wraps up her performances she'll be heading into a new career as she'll train to become a registered massage therapist. But the hope is she can still connect with the dance world.

"I'm excited to give back to dancers eventually and help them keep going strong in their career."

Check out the video.