NATCHEZ — You could say it’s in their genes, or rather, tights. Dancing is a tradition in the Myers family. Rebecca and Catherine Myers have followed in their mother and grandmother’s footsteps, dancing since they were toddlers.

“When I was little, me and my grandmother would sit and watch full-length ballets,” Catherine Myers said.

“This was before I was even 2-years old.”

“I remember watching Paquita and at the end I would bow like they did,” Catherine said.

Mom Erin Myers was quick to recognize Catherine’s love of dance.

“She loved it so much, they let her start a year early,” Erin Myers said.

Catherine doesn’t remember much from that first recital.

“I remember taking pictures,” Catherine recalls. “To this day, that picture is one of my grandmother’s favorites.”

“She was smiling so hard,” Erin said.

Next, sister Rebecca caught the dancing bug.

“I first started getting into it when I saw Catherine dance,” Rebecca Myers said. “I started dancing at 3-years old.”

Rebecca Myers remembers a bit more from her first recital.

“I was very quiet and shy when I was little.” Rebecca remembered. “I didn’t do all the moves or even smile in my first photos.”

Still, she kept dancing, finally joining her sister’s ballet class at the Natchez Ballet Academy this year.

Along with joining the same class, the sisters both attained lead roles in this year’s production of “The Nutcracker.” Making the performance even more special is the fact that their grandmother, Carolyn Eidt, made both of their costumes.

The sisters joke about bickering in class, but they also see the benefits of working together.

“This year is my first year to get a really big part,” Rebecca said. “Catherine has played Clara before so she can tell me some things that will help me look better when I’m performing.”

“I can give her certain aspects that will boost the quality of her performance and help her pull the character of Clara out.” Catherine Myers said.

Despite their family tradition and love of dancing, both girls have different plans for college. Catherine Myers hopes to study sports medicine so that she can help other dancers. Rebecca Myers hopes to become a veterinarian one day. Until then, both girls will be content to study the art of dance together.

The Myers sisters will perform in the Natchez Ballet Academy’s production of “The Nutcracker” Nov. 15-18, 2007 at Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center in Natchez.

on Homochitto Street in Natchez.