This picture shows a full color layout of my 11 year old daughter, Raquel, published on the front page of our local paper, the Cedar City Daily News just after the last production.

Raquel on the front page of the local paper. She was famous for a week!

Cedar City Junior Ballet does at least one large production every year. This time it was Cinderella.

Raquel performed "en pointe."*

I didn’t watch Raquel practice much before the show.

The spring fairy with her butterflies.*

It was thrilling as a mom to see her dance on point shoes and feel that all the hours of rehearsal had been worth it! I’ve never had to push her much because she was motivated by these super-fun productions. She naturally wanted to develop her skills so she could get better parts.

Stephanie Richards danced exquisitely as Cinderella.*

Anyone who wants to participate, can be part of this community ballet group, no matter what age, no matter what skill level.

Raquel (lower left) with old and new friends.

The lady who directs our group is Christine Mills, and the non-profit organization she started is called the Cedar City Junior Ballet. Her sister, Lise Mills, helps put on their annual production, but usually works in personnel at the Shakespearean Festival and the SUU Department of Dance.

Chris is on left, Lise on right. They were hilarious!*

Chris teaches lessons throughout the year on classic ballet technique. She charges $10-15 per lesson. Sometimes she only barely covers the studio rent. We need to find some local businesses who will donate regularly to the cause.

The "mean sisters" stole the show!*

Each fall, usually in September, Chris holds auditions for the next production, which takes place the following February.

The fairy godmother and the fairies of the seasons.*

The first year we participated, my kids knew no ballet. They were in a production of Sleeping Beauty and then A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Nathan was 7 and Raquel was 5. Chris is always short on boys, and luckily Nathan was willing to participate twice. They had a great time!

Nathan & Raquel with our neighbor, Tom after the show.

Chris charges all girl participants a $300 show fee, but now she gives us 15 tickets to sell at $10 each to pay half the fee. The fee covers FANTASTIC costumes, made by her, Lise and volunteers, along with the theater rental, which currently runs $2,000-3,000.

We’ve always been able to sell plenty of tickets to our neighbors and friends.

Last year’s production was Copellia, a story about a doll that comes to life. Isaac, then 6, begged me to let him participate, so I let him even though his Saturday rehearsals were at different times then Raquel’s.

Isaac absolutely loved being part of a big production, as he had often seen Nathan and Raquel do.

Isaac's the short village boy in the middle.

Raquel played a village girl and a Scottish doll in the tinker’s workshop.

We love community ballet because we’re not paying any extra for someone’s personal profit, but we’re still getting top notch education and performing experience. The feeling of community is wonderful, too.

I’ve been extremely impressed and happy with the quality of these productions. We’re already gearing up for our next daughter, Lily to participate. She was very excited about the show and is ready to jump right in.

Lily wanted a picture with Cinderella.

Last month Raquel talked me into taking a few tap classes with her. I did and enjoyed myself immensely. I’ve found that the hands-down best way to inspire my kids to do the things I want them to, is to do it with them.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll try my hand at a little ballet sometime and join in the next production.

Thanks for all you do Chris & Lise!!!

*Photo credits to Parker Grimes Photography