At the age of twelve, she was awarded a scholarship to dance at the School of American Ballet in New York City.

[1][2] Austin appeared in performances that were televised for the PBS series Live from Lincoln Center and the NBC television special Live From Studio H.[3][4] She later left the New York City Ballet to dance for the Zurich Ballet in Switzerland, where she was promoted to soloist.

[7][8][9] This was eight years before Lauren Anderson became a principal dancer for the Houston Ballet, even though she is commonly incorrectly accredited as being the first.

[Note 1] At the Pennsylvania Ballet, Austin danced in Swan Lake, Coppélia, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Apollo, Symphony in C, Giselle, and La Sylphide.

[11] She danced at a Gala Performance at the Academy of Music, hosted by Bill Cosby, while accompanied by Grover Washington on the saxophone.