Handsome Little Nutcracker

Our handsome little Nutcracker on picture day.

Alive in the Music

Those fleeting moments when you are free within the music and alive in the movements…I’m still not there yet, but everyday my foot is getting stronger and I hesitate less before moving on my bad foot. I’m looking forward to letting go again!

Quote of the Day #4

A Picture is Worth...

Just a few photos that I took last weekend!

I really like the texture of the fabric.

 Love, Lillie

Observations

Here is a short list of things that I notice from my first two Nutcracker Rehearsals last weekend!!!

1. Not everyone wanted to be there. Most of the girls seemed happy to be in the Nutcracker, but there were a few that started to grumble and moan 15 minutes into rehearsals! Shame on them! 
2. Bringing a snack is not only okay, but NECESSARY! About half way through our 4 hour rehearsal we were allowed a 15 minute break to rest. Most girls used this time to eat snacks! Lots of fruits and nuts! I will never not bring snacks again.
3. "Dance Moms" observable in their natural habitat. Not the overly dramatic, foul-mouthed type shown on TV, but the kind that are just always there watching from the corner or whispering to their daughters. 
4. A lot of time was wasted trying to remember what was done last week. Did we change that step? First or Third arms? Are we in a line here? Which count do we start on? Let's watch the video from last year again! 
5. Missing one person makes everything confusing. Having to keep track of where the "ghost" is hard when you are learning new steps and positions. Especially when dancing in and out of circles and lines.
6. Absolutely don't talk (unless you want a serious telling off). Those girls were stupid. I couldn't believe how much they were talking. 
7. The amount of bourrées that I'm going to have to do is going to kill me! As a lilac flower in the Waltz of the Flowers, I will pretty much bourrée forever. Good bye toenails! 

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I've Known Since Monday

I've known since Monday, but I did not want to say anything for a while because I wanted to make sure it was real. After everything that has happened with my foot injury over the summer, I was fully resigned to the fact that I would have to wait until next year to make one of my dreams come true and try-out for The Nutcracker. Yet, the ups and and downs of life always have a way of balancing out. 

I am officially in this years production of The Nutcracker!!!!! Even though I have been unable to dance for the past couple months and I was unable to try-out for the Nutcracker, my amazing and supportive teachers felt comfortable enough in my dancing abilities to cast me in the show even without an audition. I'm honored and beyond thrilled to be one step closer to my dreams, but I am terrified at the same time. My teachers have faith that I will be performance ready in time and that is a lot pressure coming back from a serious injury. Not that they are pushing me to return too soon and aggravate my injury! I just want to be at my best for them and for myself.

Anyways, enough with the feelings, and feelings about feelings, and feelings feelings, and one feeling that turns into another feeling... :P

I know that when someone says "I'm in the Nutcracker!" the immediate response of the other person is "What parts did you get???". 

I am a Snowflake and a Lilac Flower! I promise to write more about my first Nutcracker rehearsals (which happened yesterday) later. Right now I'm floating away on a cloud of happiness towards my second rehearsals later today! 

Never give up on dreams, people! 
Love, Lillie 

Catch Up Series: New Beginnings - NYC Ballet

There are times when words aren't enough. Times when there are no words or combination of words that can accurately describe a feeling or event. The video below, from the New York City Ballet, is a better commemoration to the events of 9/11 than any words I have ever heard.

 

"It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, 

and a tribute to the future of the city that New York City Ballet calls home"