OT – A (My) Real Ballerina & Happy 4th of July
Happy 4th of July to those in the USA. Be safe!
This is totally not quilting related! Not one single bit so delete if you don’t want to read about anything super duper cool. If you do delete, is it is your loss – this topic may appear again in the future and you won’t know the back story. ~smile~ Let me jump to the end of the story first – my great-niece, Sierra is a ballerina. A real, true ballerina AND she is dancing at THE MET in NYC!!
Look at all the poise and gracefulness that just oozes out of her pores. It just gives me the chills to share even a bit of her hard work to get to this stage. I am so proud of her!
The Building of a Ballerina
Of course, Sierra has great parents that have supported her all along the journey. My sister’s daughter, Amy, and her husband, Roger, have put thousands of miles on the car and in the air taking her to competitions and to dance classes. From a very young (adorable) age at Advance Dance, you could see she was a natural. That doesn’t mean she didn’t work at it, and a LOT. Here is our girl in a cute tutu, and in her first solo!
She attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she was able to craft her skills. This is a more recent shot from 2014 that is one of my favorites.
A Ballerina Growing Up
For high school, Sierra attended the ABT JKO School in NYC. These are really intense, defined dance classes focusing on specific areas. She also had to take online standards classes for math, English and other high school requirements. Being a good student may have been just slightly easier for her because of her dedication to dance, but she still had to complete all the work. She won a scholarship for her dance work in the competition Prix de Lausanne in 2015. This picture just warms my heart:
‘Adult’ Ballerina
It is hard for me to believe she is 19 already. How did this little sweetheart grow so fast? She has high school behind her, more stamps in her passport than I will ever have, and she now works for ABT Studio Company. Here she is, awaiting in the wings at The Met for Swan Lake.
The world is at her feet, literally. Where will she fly off to next? How many more accomplishments await her – I cannot imagine. Thank you for sharing this proud moment with me. Oh, I have to share one more picture – an oldie with her cousin Sydney who just turned 16 and got her license. How does that happen? I can remember so well when each of these beautiful ladies were born. I imagine Sydney will be in the Olympics if she sets her heart to it.
Sierra and Sydney in 2010
Good luck ladies! I wish you all the success and blessings that you can bear. ♥ Love ♥
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How exciting for her!!!
I love it when girls chase and catch their dreams! Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad you shared her with us, we can only imagine the training and dedication it would take. Not to mention the flexibility!!!
Love, love, love this story. How proud you must be of her and my gosh she is so graceful. I know she has put in a lot of hours and hard word to be where she is. I do hope you get to see her dance sometimes. Thanks for sharing. Such GOOD news!
WOW! The photo of her flying through the air in the splits in front of the fountain is spectacular! How wonderful and yes even if one is a natural, to get to that level (Swan Lake!!! Be still my heart; how I love that ballet and clearly remember being taken to it by my mum so many years ago) requires such focus and dedication…I’m in awe!
– oh that smile as she’s flying through the air –
The two cousins look like sisters – really great post, Roseann. And if you need an ‘excuse’ to venture away from 100% quilt related blogging (which I don’t think is really necessary) then look at it this way: you’re still promoting the arts – only a different slice of them.
Congrats to your grand-niece.
As for you: Write on!
Hello Roseanne; This is such a magnificent achievement for your Niece. I am so glad that you shared this post with us! No matter if we know a child or a young adult we love to hear their glorious adventures that lead to making their dreams come true! I truly enjoyed every picture you shared and the entire post! I look forward to reading any more updates on both of your Nieces. Have a fabulous 4th of July!!
Such a beautiful balerina – and how wonderful to see that with hard work dreams do come true, and at such a young age – no telling the number of stamps in her passport and the stages she will grace. Love the story and photos….and yes, “to be continued” I hope – as I will be eager to read along!
What a beautiful story about a very talented and special young lady! The pictures are incredible. Thank you for sharing this with us.
What a cool post! Kuddos to your niece for making her dreams come true! Happy Independence Day!
Wonderful story! Such and exciting life she is blessed to have!
So so happy for your happiness! but the important question: does she have a ballerina quilt??? blessings to her!
What a fun post to read, and you have every right to be proud. Good for her, pursuing her dream and making it happen! I hope her run at the Met goes well. Love the photos!
I know you are proud. Ballet is very intense. Thanks for sharing.
Your niece sure does have the world at her toe tips. What special behind the scenes photos……Thanks for sharing.