Growing Up in Ballet

Published October 10, 2025

Growing Up in Ballet

I recently saw a post on Facebook that read: “Ballet is Hard”. The post described the fact that in order to be a good ballet dancer, one needs the abilities of an artist, an Olympian, a leader, a precision surgeon, a model, an actor, a painter, a lawyer, and a person with strength of character, compassion, empathy, tenacity, drive, grace, and humility.

Filer image element — Rosine Bena as the Sugar Plum Fairy with father Edward Bena

How does one acquire all those abilities? One grows up studying the art of ballet.

I had the good fortune to be raised in the ballet world from birth, and so has my daughter. In my 55 years of teaching, I have seen countless others grow up in this great art form. Ballet enriches young lives and contributes to the creation of amazing adults.

This is particularly evident to me each year around this time as SNB prepares for the annual production of Peanutcracker-The Story In A Nutshell. Peanutcracker is the 45-minute narrated, shortened version of the Nutcracker, especially designed to introduce young children to the art of ballet.

This year’s production boasts over 60 young student dancers in the cast. It is a magical experience watching these young people year after year mature into beautiful adult human beings filled with all the attributes that the study of ballet promotes. It is particularly moving to see the more experienced student dancer help the less experienced dancer and then to see the less experienced dancer follow suit as they mature. It is not only the passing down of the legacy of the art, it is the passing down of an empathetic, positive way of life.

When I was in my first Nutcracker, I was 12 years old and was cast as a soldier and a child of Mother Goose. I worked my way up each year, and by the time I became a professional ballet dancer, I was cast in the lead role of the Sugar Plum Fairy (which I performed for 25 years). My daughter, Ananda, danced the lead child’s role of “Clara” at age 9 and also worked her way up to dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy as an adult.

Ballet instills a strong work ethic that endures throughout life. The dedication, discipline, and philosophy gained from ballet have inspired me to devote my life to this classical art form.

One of my present ballet students is Mara Weir, who started at the SNB Academy as a young girl. While she was a sweet, lovely student, Mara was not particularly focused; she appeared to lack motivation and seemed quite shy and inhibited. When she auditioned for her first Peanutcracker, I cast her as a child in the party scene. She was not particularly outstanding. But after a year of studying ballet, Mara gained more confidence as she improved her work ethic. By the time she turned 12, she was cast in the lead child’s role of “Clara,” and her performances were magical. Mara was invited into the SNB Trainee/Apprentice Program and quickly went from a Trainee to an Apprentice and then into the SNB professional company as a corps de ballet member at the mere age of 15 years old. This year, Mara will dance several featured roles in Peanutcracker including the role of Flower Princess in Waltz of the Flowers. Mara is a beautiful example of one who has been raised in ballet.

When asked about why she loves ballet, Mara said:

“Ballet is a very difficult art form that focuses on technical skill, but also yourself. Ballet has taught me resilience and persistence. To keep improving and critiquing aspects of myself and to respect others always. Most importantly, ballet has allowed me to develop a way of speaking from my heart, bringing my soul into dancing. I love being in Peanutcracker because it’s a solid way to judge my improvement each year. The roles I’m given to perform and understudy get more difficult with more responsibility. It is the show that really allows me to further develop my dancing and performance on the stage.“

I have personally been in ballet my entire life, and I am grateful to have grown up in this magnificent art form. I am continually inspired to pass it on to future generations.

SNB performs Peanutcracker-The Story In a Nutshell at the Pioneer Center for Performing Arts on November 23 (open to the public shows at 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM) and November 25 (public schools shows at 10:00 AM and 12:00PM) and at the Carson City Community Center on December 5 (school shows 10 AM and 12 PM) and December 6 (open to the public shows at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM). For ticket information or information about Sierra Nevada Ballet and Academy call 775-360-8663 or visit sierranevadaballet.org.