When we become parents, it’s common to introduce our kids to the hobbies and activities that we liked and experienced as a child, but it’s not always common for our kids to latch on to our childhood passion. When I was a child, I was twirling around the house from a young age, and ended up dedicating hours every week to the study of dance performing in 13 Nutcracker Ballets and dancing with the Springfield Ballet Company (SBC) for five years. Ballet my was my creative outlet, my sport, and laid a foundation of a work ethic that has carried far into my life. My last role was the Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker in December 1988 and this weekend 30 years later, my daughter will be dancing that same role on the same stage! When she was three, I took her to see the SBC Nutcracker and she could barely stay in her seat! She was so delighted and wanted to dance along! During intermission she was twirling around the lobby. Years of dance classes at Dance Arts Studio have followed. She’s now 16 and loving every minute of time in the dance studio and onstage.
Having a shared passion is a unique mother/daughter bond. This weekend I will be wearing waterproof mascara for sure! It’s a proud mama moment.
It’s extra special because this moment is also shared with two other SBC alumni that I danced with in the 1980’s that are still good friends. It’s been an absolute delight to watch all THREE of our daughters fall in love with dance, and the Moms volunteer backstage.
Thank you to Stacey Skrysak her touching segment on ABC Newschannel 20 that covers the journey of these three girls.
Don’t miss The Nutcracker Ballet at Sangamon Auditorium in Springfield this weekend only! Saturday Dec 8th at 2pm and 7pm and Sunday Dec 9th at 2pm. Tickets available online or at the box office. Save $5 by purchasing tickets before the day of the show!
Photo on Left: SBC Alumni Moms & their Daughters
Kim Leistner Root & her daughter Amanda Little, Carrie Pennell and her daughter Olivia and Mindy Vance and her daughter Analysse
