It’s hard to believe that almost two weeks ago, we were in London for a second round of training with the Royal Ballet School at White Lodge. Didn’t really know if we had it in us to make a second trip across the Pond happen so soon, but when an opportunity comes around again (and in the last age group eligible for the program), you try to make things work.

I think both Stella and I have really come to love Royal Ballet School for more than just the fact that it’s the Royal Ballet School. Maybe that sounds confusing, but it makes total sense to me.

We’ve wrapped up the 2026 summer audition season, and what should have been short and sweet became a long and interesting road. Funny, every year I think I’ve got it mapped out so I’m not spending every weekend in a car (or on a plane!), and yet this year had so many last-minute travel logistics to figure out. Contrary to belief, I’m not on vacation 90% of the time when it comes to ballet. Moms work so hard….especially when your dancer cannot drive.

There isn’t much online for parents to read regarding what happens at the audition week at NBS, should your dancer be invited to attend, so my goal here is to share our personal experience and also help others decide if it’s worth the trip should they be invited. In my last post, I ended with super basic details on the drop-off process, but since then, we’ve done a full download on the highs and lows of the experience.

I don’t know when I’ll post this because there are a lot of moving pieces going on with this upcoming week, but I also know I don’t want to forget what’s going on because I’m tired, so here’s a recap of my 24 hours in Canada and how the heck we got here.

It felt like we were rolling in on two wheels back to Lafayette after a very busy and productive Nutcracker season with Houston Ballet. There really is something transformative about dancing in The Nutcracker year after year.

This is what runs though my head every time I have an interaction with the public. Specifically, people in my community who are my peers.