Shout-Out to the Real Superheroes: #BallerinaMoms

May 12, 2018

In our eyes, being a dancer is remarkable. Add motherhood to the mix, and you’re practically a superhero.

We salute all the incredible women who have two of the hardest—and most rewarding—jobs around. Here are just a few of our favorite #ballerinamom moments. (And don’t say we didn’t warn you: Prepare for full-on cute overload.)

Partnering while pregnant? No problem.

Colorado Ballet’s Dana Benton was still at it when she was 39 weeks pregnant. Yup, we’re impressed.

Houston Ballet’s youngest dancer

Just three weeks after the birth of her daughter, Houston Ballet’s Karina González was back in the studio with a special someone in tow.

Built-in workout inspiration

At the National Ballet of Canada, Jurgita Dronina and her son squeezed in a round of push-ups before she took barre and he built Lego.

Like mother, like daughter

We’re not saying that dancers’ kids should grow up to be dancers, but it’s pretty adorable when they pick up a few steps. Recently, the daughter of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Sarah Ricard Orza and Seth Orza made a dining table her stage. We’re here for it.

The mother of all #ballerinamoms: Ashley Bouder

Ashley Bouder
even has a separate account for her daughter, Violet Storm, so choosing just one Bouder/Violet moment is tough. (We’re still amazed by the video of Bouder’s insane string of fouettés, perfectly executed when she was nine months pregnant.) This clip of Violet and Mom’s matching swan arms is enough to melt your heart.

Need a stand-in for rehearsal?

These days, it seems like dancers are mastering iconic roles younger than ever. At Charlotte Ballet, Alessandra James’ son has already pulled off Apollo.

She got it from her momma

We see a future in aquatic ballet for this mother-daughter duo featuring European-based contemporary ballet star Drew Jacoby. Click through for video.

Two words: backstage access

An exclusive view of pre-performance company class? “Been there, done that,” says Koan, son of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Lindsi Dec and Karel Cruz.

And this list wouldn’t be complete without a shout-out to the ballerina-moms-to-be.

New York City Ballet principal Megan Fairchild and international superstar Diana Vishneva are both expecting.