Ella's Ballet Recital

Since Ella took ballet classes for 1.5 years during her preschool years at a small studio (in a converted garage at her ballet teacher's class), she only had the chance to participate in two very small and simple ballet recitals in our church's gym both years.  As a result, I was so excited to see Ella perform in a full scale dance production when I signed her up for ballet and tap class at the beginning of her Kindergarten year at a legitimate dance studio called Riot.  I couldn't wait to see her dance on a real stage in a theater while wearing a beautiful costume with a bunch of darling little girls.  However, Covid came crashing into our lives seven months later and cancelled everything.  As a result, the studio's dance production was cancelled in June 2020.  Although Ella was allowed to start taking ballet classes again in September 2020 and danced through her entire 1st grade year (with the exception of the seven weeks that our governor shut everything down again November and December 2020), her studio was never able to find a venue that would allow them to host their end of the school year production in June 2021 due to the maximum occupancy rules that our governor still had in place.  As a result, Ella missed out on her second chance to participate in a large scale recital at the end of her second year dancing at Riot. 

At the beginning of this school year, Ella was starting to lose interest in ballet and really gain interest in gymnastics.  As a result, she asked if she could quit dance, but I wouldn't let her.  I promised her that she could quit ballet for good at the end of her 2nd grade school year after having the chance to perform in one big recital.  She reluctantly agreed and faithfully attended her ballet class on Tuesday afternoons this entire school year.  However, Ella's attitude improved drastically when her best friend, Elise, started going to her dance studio the beginning of February and was place in the same class with her!  As you can imagine, Ella suddenly LOVED going to class every week and the evening playdate that followed class afterwards at either Elise's house or our house.  In addition, the girls became so excited to learn their dance for the recital and to wear their beautiful costumes (that cost $75!) for the big performance.  After dressing up in their costumes (with hair and makeup done) for the professional pictures that were taken at their studio the first week in June, the girls could barely wait for the big day.  And after seeing so many of the girls dressed up in their beautiful costumes in the studio that day, I must admit that I was pretty excited to see the performance myself!

After my mom drove down to spend the afternoon with me, the six of us drove out to Tacoma yesterday to meet Ron at the performing arts theater of a beautiful high school in town.  We "checked" in Ella at the front desk that the studio had set up and then waited in line for the doors to the theater to open at 5:30.  We then went in and were able to find really good seats on the main floor and then waited until the performance began at 6 p.m.  The theme of this year's production was Broadway and Ella's Ballet 1 class danced to the song, "The Impossible Dream."  She and the other girls in her class did such a great job dancing to their song and were just so cute to watch!  I honestly think I smiled through the entire thing.  Luckily, Ella's class was #6 out of #35 numbers which we were all grateful for since we knew that Emmett would not last until the end.  Luckily, he was absolutely in awe of the entire performance for most of the first half and did a pretty good job until intermission came.  Luckily, Ron was able to take Logan, Emmett, and my mom home at this time and Ella was allowed to come join us (since she was in one of the younger classes) and watch the second half of the show with us.  We were so interested in watching every performance of ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, modern, and lyrical that was performed that I almost forgot to check her back in at the very end for the final bow.  Overall, Ella had such a wonderful time and I am so grateful that she was able to have this experience before she hung up her ballet slippers forever.  And although it still kills me that she was only able to participate in one instead of three ballet recitals during her three years at this studio, I am trying to just be grateful that she finally got the chance to perform on the big stage before she heads into the gym to focus on team gymnastics for the next year or several years to come!

The beautiful, solo picture that was taken of Ella at her dance studio on June 7th.  I just can't get over what a little angel she looks like in this picture!

Ella's Ballet Level 1 class.  Ella is second to the right on the back row with her good friend, Elise, to her left.

Ella all dressed up and ready to go on the big day of June 17th!  Although I wanted to keep her flowers a surprise, I let her take a picture of them at our house before we left.

The massive, group photo the studio took on stage before the performance began.

Ella's class beginning their dance.

Ella dancing with her friend, Aubrielle.

Ella and Aubrielle twirling around.

I was able to take a few pictures of Ella in the lobby during intermission after she was done dancing.  Here she is with her best friend, Elise.

My darling ballerina.

Since Ron had already left with my mom and the boys right at the beginning of the intermission and Lia was sitting with our belongings in the theater, I was only able to get a picture of Ella with me.  Love you, Ella!  I'm so proud of you!