By Kim Dunbar

At age 14, Rachael Markarian knew she wanted to be a dancer. Fifteen years later, the 29-year-old Worcester native is fresh off dancing with pop star Katy Perry on her “California Dreams” tour and has no plans of slowing down.

“I feel like I’ve seen the world three times over,” she said.

Markarian, who now lives in L.A., has quite the resume. In addition to “California Dreams,” she’s toured with Rihanna and Latin artist Chayanne and has appeared on hit shows “Glee,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Criminal Minds,” “CSI” and in movies Rush Hour 3 and No Strings Attached.

“I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have the career that I’ve had,” Markarian said. “But, I believe hard work and dedication pays off, so I put as much into my career as I expect to get out of it.”

Hard work is something Rachael learned at a young age from her mother, Robin, and never forgot. She began dancing at age seven, training with Joan Sheary at her Worcester studio and as part of the Burncoat High School dance magnet program. At 15, Markarian had the opportunity to train for four months at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC.

“Being surrounded and inspired by professional, working dancers 10 years my senior was not only motivating but solidified my passion for the arts and took me to the next level,” she said.

Upon graduation, Markarian attended Oklahoma City University as a Dance, Theatre and Vocal Performance major in order to become well-rounded in all areas of the arts.

“Breaking into the entertainment industry is very difficult, however everyone’s path is different,” she said. “My dance director in college used to say that ‘…luck is preparation meeting opportunity.’ I guess you could say I got lucky in a way.”

Markarian was discovered by an agent in L.A. during one of her summers off from college. “He signed me on the spot and I started auditioning,” she added. “It’s almost impossible to work in L.A. without an agent, and they aren’t always easy to come by, so I was fortunate.”

Markarian made the choice to leave college during her junior year ~ and within three weeks booked her first movie, The Haunted Mansion. “I booked my first tour nine months later and haven’t stopped since,” she said.

While dance is her passion, Markarian hopes to move into acting in the next few years.

“I’ll always dance,” she said. “As long as my body will allow me to then I’ll be dancing, but I also want a successful acting career, so I’m working towards that goal.”

Ultimately, Markarian just wants to be happy doing what she’s doing and maybe inspire some people along the way ~ just like she was inspired.

“Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul were my first concerts as a kid, seeing them on stage and watching the dancers was huge for me,” she said. “If I can influence young girls in the way I was influenced by those dancers then that’s the greatest gift I’m not only giving myself, but to others as well.”