By Marin Murray.
Around Christmas time, most people wish for snow or for a special gift. But for senior Belle Marz, her wish is that her friends and family would get to see her perform the role of her career during her dance studio’s Christmas production.
Belle will dance as the Crystal Princess in Patty Harper Dance Studio’s annual Christmas production of “Once Upon a Christmas Eve” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the Abilene Convention Center.
“It’s a principal role,” Belle said. “So, I get to do a pas and then also a bigger number called “Blue Eyes” and both of them are partnering.”
A pas de duex in ballet features a duet with two dancers performing together. There are three other principal roles within the production: the Eskimo Princess, Russian, and Snowbird. Belle danced as the Eskimo Princess last year and Snowbird the year before that, so she is no stranger to these principal roles.
“It’s really fun, because you get to do two dances with it,” Belle said. “I have a pas at the beginning of the second scene and then also the bigger number at the end, whereas the other ones are just one dance.”
Belle was chosen for this role by her director, Mary Milstead, after dancing at this studio for 14 years and participating in a number of other roles for the annual production.
“She chooses each dancer each year,” Belle said. “It’s usually a senior for the Crystal Princess, and I was the only senior at our studio this year.”
Despite being the only senior, Belle has still found great community from the dancers at the studio and through their help she has been able to persevere to where she is right now.
“We’ve had lots of long hours where we stay at the studio really late,” Belle said. “But it’s been so much fun, and I love spending time with the people. The community at the dance studio is just amazing.”
A few members of the Gold Rush including junior Reese Cope and Hannah Jordan will dance in the production, and so will history teacher Jennifer Jordan, who takes tap classes from the studio.
“The hardest part is probably working through injuries,” Belle said. “So right now, I’m working through a torn tendon, and we have other dancers at the studio that are working through injuries as well. But, we’re pushing through, they’re all healing and we’re doing really well.”
Even though she has faced physical obstacles that have confined her to a walking boot outside of dancing, she still finds joy in doing what she loves.
“Dancing comes naturally, for the most part,” Belle said. “The easiest part has mainly been just dancing for me.”
Tickets for the performance will be sold at the door that night at the Abilene Convention Center. For more information visit the dance studio’s website: https://www.pattyharperdance.com.
“I’m most excited about having everybody come and see it,” Belle said. “I’ve invited a lot of people, and I’m excited for them to come, watch and to get to share that experience with me.”
