Faith Jones 15 ~ Joyce Seaborne Bader Scholarship 

I have been dancing since I was four under the training of Mrs. Kelly Lannin at Ballet Conservatory. I have been a member of the Lake Cities Ballet Company for 4 years. I am 15 and going into the 10th grade as a homeschooler. Dancing is my passion, and I don’t know what I would do without it.

I have had the opportunity to understudy Balanchine’s Serenade and Concerto Barocco. I have been in the Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Dracula, and Giselle. My favorite Ballet to dance every October is Le Ballet De Dracula, being a bride is my favorite part.

My short term goals would be to improve in my technique, specifically turning and stage presence. I’m not sure what God has in store for me in the future. I want to use the gifts in dance that He has given me. I would like to train hard in what I am doing and become a professional dancer and then someday a ballet teacher.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to see Julie Kent, each year in our Lake Cities’ production of the Nutcracker.  She is an inspiration and set an example of what I attain to be as a dancer.

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I expected to be challenged and was challenged beyond my expectations. I learned body control and became stronger each day. The teachers helped me improve my technique. The program was similar to what I have done in the past which made it more comfortable to be with the other dancers. Plus, we all had the love of ballet in common. Two things that will help me with ballet in the coming months were the turnout and to release my heals all the way to the ground when I jump. TBT’s summer intensive program prepared me for auditions for Nutcracker and Dracula. I made many new friends this summer and I look forward to seeing their continued progress in dance. I am very thankful to have received this scholarship from Texas Ballet Theatre. It has prepared me for the upcoming ballet season and provided me with a stronger foundation going into upcoming auditions.