Dance Mom by Kim Knight

My daughter is in the junior company at AYBT.  She began dancing when she was three years old.  It is amazing how much she has grown and developed as a dancer.  She has grown from being a sheep in The Nutcracker to being a shepherdess to the sheep.  I’ve watched her hone her skills and technique each year and grow into a beautiful dancer.

When I watched her first performance on pointe I cried.  At each performance I feel her pain if she misses a step and celebrate with her when she nails a step.  There have been countless times when things go wrong on stage: a slip or fall, pointe shoes coming untied,  or my worst scenario going on stage with your socks on over your pointe shoes.  The dancers continue with their performance if and when this happens, but as soon as they come off the stage they run to mom for support.  If mom just happens to be able to be in the audience then a backstage mom takes the place of mom. 

This is what I love about AYBT.  As a mom I know my daughter has many dance moms willing to give her help and support.  Alabama Youth Ballet Theater would not be able to operate without all the wonderful moms and dads. It is amazing when you see how much time parents are willing to give so a group can succeed.  The dancers might be the performers but there are many unsung heroes behind the scenes that make sure the “show goes on.” 

I might enjoy watching Dance Moms, but I love being a dance mom more. I hate to admit that I enjoy watching the drama, but I never want to be a part of it.  Thank you, AYBT moms and dads, for making our dance experience an amazing one and keeping the drama out of it.   My daughter and I will have so many wonderful memories of our dance time together at AYBT, and I look forward to the upcoming years of being a dance mom.  

---