Brian Burrington
Overland Park, Kansas
Season ticket holder for 14 years

"I have been a season ticket holder for going on 14 years now. My first experience was when the owner of the small company I worked for brought the entire office to see Carmina Burana. I was only about 23 or 24 at the time and did not make a lot of money and yet was so struck by my own experience, that I immediately adjusted my budget so that I could attend every season from then on. I do not know much about ballet in general. I do not have children in the school. But I love it, and I thank you good people for the wonderful job you do."

Maureen A. Kennedy
Independence, MO
Season ticket subscriber for over 15 years

"I say that the ballet is good for my soul. My tickets are for Friday night. On Friday night I am tired after the week at work, but I don't allow myself to think about not attending a performance. Once the dancing begins my spirit rises and my energy increases."

Michele Gile
Gardner, Kansas
Nutcracker 2006 attendee

"I am a native Kansas Citian, and attended The Nutcracker performance for the first time (I am 40 years old). I love the arts and took some ballet classes when I was younger. The performance almost moved me to tears. It brought back the feelings of my love of dancing. I sat with goose bumps through the entire performance. I felt such a rush, almost as if I was dancing myself."

Carole Moore
Liberty, Missouri

"For nearly 25 years my daughter Amy and I have shared the wonderful experience of beginning the Christmas season with our annual attendance for The Nutcracker Ballet. What a treat! Now, for the last three years, we are joined by our grandchildren."

Sarah (Sumrall) Cox
Lee's Summit, MO
Season ticket holder 3 years

"Lisa Thorn was my pen pal for many years when I was a little girl and then a young lady. She was kind enough to consistently reply to my letters, and she even met me for dinner. To a child dreaming of becoming a ballerina, that was the best gift she could have given me. I enjoyed meeting her backstage after a show, and I bought every pair of her autographed pointe shoes I could get my little hands on! Although I chose nursing as a career path instead of pursuing a career in the arts, her personal touch has greatly influenced my life and will not be forgotten."

Shelley Hill and Bailey Hill (daughter)
Pleasant Hill, Missouri
Attended The Nutcracker for about 15 years

"Living the cowboy lifestyle on a small farm outside of the KC area makes it quite a treat, and a tradition, for my daughter and I to dress up and come to the city for a performance of the Nutcracker each holiday season. When my 20-year-old daughter was about 6 years old we attended her first performance of the Nutcracker. Not long into the first act, sitting in our seats in practically the last row, she never took her gaze from the stage but leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Mom, I can't hear what they're saying." That's probably my most favorite Ballet story. It's one of my fondest memories attending the Ballet with my daughter as a holiday tradition."

Jennifer Harden
Belton, Missouri
Nutcracker Attendee for many years

"The Kansas City Ballet changed my life in a great way. I started dancing with the school in 1981. I had the great privilege of working with Todd Bolender, Una Kai, Diana Adams, Tatiana Dokoudovska, and fabulous guest teachers such as Allegra Kent, Violette Verdy, Suki Schorer, Mireille Brianne and many others. I performed with the company as a student. I performed in ballets a girl could just dream of being in such as Les Sylphides, Serenade, Night Shadow, Memoria with Alvin Ailey and one of my favorites Clara in the Nutcracker. I met many great people during this part of my life and many friends that I would not have without this experience. Todd Bolender was big part of this experience. He believed in me enough to push me to be the best dancer I could be. I thank Todd and the ballet for the great friendships, the great appreciation for dance and some of the best years of my life. Ballet and performing gave a little girl self-confidence, even the shy ones. I discovered who I was in these years.  I still catch myself going over the steps in my head even 20 years later. Thanks Kansas City Ballet for all the great memories. “

Lisa Hickok
Mission Hills, Kansas
Company alumni, subscriber, past board member, Guild member, past Marketing Director, Ballet Ball 2008 Chair

"One of my fondest memories involves Miss Tania. It was the final performance for me after four years as Clara. The production staff presented roses to Miss Tania on stage after she was brought out at the final bows. She gave them to me and it truly touched my heart. I'll never forget that moment of her acknowledgement of my dedication...even as a 12-year old. It has impacted my desire to help this company for the rest of my days.”

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