Giving Thanks

Post by Callie Manning, Soloist

It’s that time of year when everyone takes time to reflect on the things in our lives we appreciate and are truly thankful for. I personally feel very lucky to be a dancer for Miami City Ballet, a unique company where everyone loves and supports each other. The family atmosphere here is something I have learned is not easily found elsewhere and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Of course, I am extremely thankful to have a husband who is my best friend. He can bring me to tears with laughter, keeps me on track and COOKS!!! (I clean, of course.) Then there are always the little things I couldn’t live without: our cat Digit and his morning cuddles, masking tape for my toes, the amazing AVEDA hair stick (which was discontinued but I stocked up by buying 10 of them on Ebay), Peanut Butter M&M’s at the theatre and Superglue to make my pointe shoes last longer than an hour!! As ballet dancers and artists, we are all thankful that we are able to do the one thing in life we are most passionate about: DANCE! (And get paid for it!) All the dancers are eternally grateful to have family and friends who have supported and encouraged us over the years. We are also thankful to the donors and patrons who love the ballet as much as we do!!

Life is full of so many things to be thankful for. Whether they are large or small, serious or silly, it’s about the joy they bring that we are thankful for! I took a moment to talk with all the dancers to find out some of the things they feel make their lives just that much better. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! –Callie Manning (Bramaz)

“All of my baking tools, so that I can bake fun desserts for all my friends and family!” -Patricia Delgado

“Liza Minnelli!” -Adriana Pierce

“My new Miami City Ballet family!” -Maya Collins

“That my ‘94 Volvo is still running! Hahahaha! And that Emily Bromberg lent me her power drill” -Suzanne Limbrunner

“I am thankful for my loving family and boyfriend!” -Christie Sciturro

“Diet Coke and the hard to find individually wrapped enlarged Sour Patch Kids!” -Ezra Hurwitz

“I am thankful that I have come to a point in my life where I can really appreciate all the good things I have and that I no longer take things for granted.” -Isanusi Garcia Rodriguez

“I am thankful for Wednesdays, the happiest day on earth, payday and cheeseburgers for 59 cents at McDonalds!…. and of course my friends! ” -Jovani Furlan

“I am really thankful to have been welcomed into the Company by everybody with such warm hearts! Cheers!” -Jonathan Jab

“I’m thankful for days off so I can spend time with Andrei, going to the movies and getting a warm brownie sundae at Ghirardelli!” -Nathalia Arja

“I am thankful for days off because I don’t have to wear a dance belt!” –Andrei Chagas

“I am thankful for physical therapy!” –Leigh-Ann Esty

“I am thankful when it is not raining.” -Kleber Rebello

“I am thankful for a roof over my head and for my dog, Charlotte!” –Sara Esty

“I am thankful for my life and everything I have.” –Renan Cerdeiro

“I am thankful for the new bagel place on Fifth Street! The bagels taste like they are from New York, because they import the water from Brooklyn.” –Zoe Zien

“I am thankful for my new Nespresso machine; it’s what gets me out of bed in the morning!” –Emily Bromberg

“I am so thankful to have my little angel with me (his daughter Angelica)… and for free days!” -Reyneris Reyes

“DECOBIKES!!! And for their multiple convenient locations. And for the DecoBike app on my iPhone, which I am also very thankful for!” –Ashley Knox

“I am thankful for the free coffee at MCB – it doesn’t quite match up to the cafés in Paris, but it gets the job done!” –Chase Swatosh

“I am thankful for the opportunity to see Chase do Mother Commedia (in The Nutcracker)!!” -Shimon Ito

“Warm winters!” –Chloe Freytag

“I am thankful for my new puppy!” -Suzette Logue

“I am thankful for having a husband who can make me laugh and remember not to always take myself so seriously.” –Jennifer Kronenberg

“I am especially thankful for the amazing people I work with. Every year I feel more and more lucky to be a part of this family.” -Rebecca King

“I am thankful for my first ever SURPRISE birthday party last week!” –Jeanette Delgado

“The new cartilage in my knee!” –Nicole Stalker

“I am thankful for my wig!! Because after ALL the shows, it hasn’t fallen off!!!…(yet)” -Renato Penteado

“I’m thankful for Yardbird Southern Table and Bar because it reminds me of home!” -Jennifer Lauren

“Empanadas!” –Bradley Dunlap

“To have a balcony in my new apartment, so I can go out and enjoy the Miami sunshine whenever I’m home!” –Skyler Lubin

“I’m thankful for Swiss Rolls, chips and my beautiful family and friends!” –Helen Ruiz

“I’m thankful that I found and married my better half!!!…and for my iPhone, (shhh, don’t tell my mother-in-law ;o).” –Didier Bramaz

“I’m thankful to be in a place that excites and motivates me to dance and for all my amazing co-workers!” –Lexie Overholt