Ballet Year 2014-2015 and Videos

The girls have had a wonderful time back at the Christian ballet academy where they started dancing at ages 4 and 3. After almost three years away where they danced at two other ballet schools that offered a different approach to ballet technique, the girls have had to work hard to prepare for their ABT (American Ballet Theater) Grade 4 Exam. They both danced beautifully, and both received a Highly Commended for technique on their exams, with Mary Clare also earning Honors for expression. Next year they will move up to the Level 5/6 class, which means 5 1/2 hours of ballet each week, plus any other classes we decide to enroll them in (modern, conditioning, tap), and probably pointe for Mary Clare at some point during the year. This may be our last year of two days a week at the studio, so I will enjoy it while I can. It's definitely convenient for me that they are in the same class!

The photos below are from their in-class dress rehearsal, but I couldn't make it to Mary Clare's modern one due to baseball. Ellie's modern class had a "Caribbean" theme, their ballet was "Vienna" and Mary Clare's modern was "African." The production was an Around the World theme, based on the Book of Revelation.

Last week was an intense week of rehearsals and shows. On Thursday and Friday they were at the theatre from around 3-9pm and then from about 11am-10pm on Saturday with shows at 2pm and 7pm! We were all worn out! It didn't stop us from joining a bunch of ballet buddies at a restaurant until midnight though!

Katie was a trooper spending many of those hours up at the theatre with the girls and me!

Grampatti, Cousin Emily, Aunt Jill, NeNe and PaPa came to the 2pm show, along with several friends!

Cousin Emily has been a loyal fan!

I was able to sneak a few photos before the evening performance!

(cCan you tell which child doesn't mind posing for pictures?) 

After the night show, which Steven, the boys, and I all watched...

Mary Clare can't wait to have Mrs. Jenni again next year! 2009 and 2015 :)

Mrs. Rebecca has been their ballet and modern teacher this year

And Ms. Sonja also taught one of their ballet classes. She is the director of the studio and we are so grateful for her vision and mission of sharing the Gospel through dance.

And now for a three week break (well, now 2) before summer classes start! I've had so much fun watching these ballerinas, and am so proud of all their hard work! Finally, here are the videos of their three dances for the production this year, taken during the dress rehearsal. Please excuse the shaky camera while I was wrangling Katie!

Mary Clare and Ellie's Vienna ballet dance

Ellie's Caribbean modern dance

Mary Clare's African modern dance