This year, the Nutcracker gets its own post! Ellie performed as Clara, which is one of the lead roles. We were so incredibly proud of her hard work and determination. She put in hours upon hours of ballet training, late nights of homework to stay ahead in school, hours away from her family, literal blood, sweat, and tears to earn that role. She did a phenomenal job, and we were thrilled with both of her performances.
Her face just lit up on stage! To watch this child that was bullied and hurt by some misguided girls all through middle school come out of her shell and perform onstage as a high schooler brought BIG tears to my eyes. Dance has always been her safe place, her home away from home. When life got hard she drove harder into this art that she loves. It has been a joy to watch her mature as a girl and a beautiful ballerina. I can't wait to see where God takes her with all of this.
I had a professional photographer take her pictures because I just wanted to watch and not be worried if I was getting a good picture. The action shots turned out to be so good. I'm posting them here and I'll let them tell the story of the ballet with Ellie Bowers as Clara.
