Sterling entered the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, in the fall of 2000, and two years later she became an apprentice with the Company. In 2003 she joined NYCBs corps de ballet. Sterling was promoted to the rank of soloist in 2006 and became a principal dancer in May 2007. Sterling was the Companys 2005_2006 Janice Levin Dancer Honoree, bestowed annually on a young member of the Company who also studied at SAB.