Recital 2019: Seasons of Change

When we found out the Aagards were moving, not only were our hearts broken because some of our best friends would be leaving us, but that also meant that the dance studio where Whitney has spent years of her life dancing would be closing down. So hard. That made the 2019 recital very emotional. Whitney danced her heart out. It was a fabulous last show for the studio.

In the videos, if you look for the tallest brunette, you'll see Miss Whit. She is such a beautiful dancer and it has been a joy to see her growth over the years as Miss Shelley has taught her.

The recital theme was Seasons of Change, which Shelley had actually already chosen before they knew they were moving, but turned out to be the perfect theme. It included dances that represented all seasons of the year.

Jingle Bell Rock (Company)

The girls first performed this at halftime of a 

UNCG basketball game near Christmas.

That smile! I love it!

Reet, Petite, and Gone (Tap)

These gold sparkly costumes were fun!

Weightless (Contemporary)

I loved these costumes, too! So pretty.

This is part of a "Mary Poppins Returns" Medley (Company)

Those legs!

Dance of the Cygnets (Pointe Variations)

The moms got to learn part of this during

dance-with-your-dancer week.

It is RIDICULOUSLY difficult.

"Four Seasons" ballet excerpt.

I love all these colors together! So pretty!

And I somehow didn't get any video 

of their "Cinderella" ballet excerpt

Don't these costumes look pretty

with those blue background?

Since this was To The Pointe Ballet Studio's last recital,

and because many of these girls had danced together

for YEARS and developed very close friendships,

some parents put together a slideshow to

celebrate our time together.

Tear jerker!

(For most normal people...

Michael couldn't wait to see if it would make me cry.)

[I DID tear up, but since there was nothing 

running down my cheek, my friends decided

I REALLY am a robot...]

There were boxes of tissues taped to the walls backstage.

They came in very handy.

AND THEN,

the Ballet 5 class had to go out on the stage

and perform ONE last number AFTER watching that! 

We did two senior recitals.

And they were WRECKS the first time.

Like audible sobs coming from backstage.

They held it together a little better the second time.

Good-byes are SO hard!!!

"Seasons of Love" (Ballet)

Curtain call

Final good-byes from the company girls.

Many, many tears from the non-robot dancers.

Company girls with Miss Shelley

Brandon had to work and missed the recital,

but the rest of us cheered extra loud.

Whit and Ember

Piper, Caroline, Cora

Mia and Caroline

Lakefield YW

Caroline, Ally, Shae, Caroline

Beautiful Miss Whit

Miss Shelley and Miss Whit

 Our family will forever be indebted to

Shelley and the dance foundation she has given Whit.

It has been such a blessing and will continue to bless 

her life and all of our lives.

Oh, how we will miss her and her family.