Ashley Bouder and her daughter Violet share a magical moment on stage in New York’s The Nutcracker, blending art and parenting beautifully.
New York City: When Violet de Florio takes the stage in The Nutcracker, she’ll be dancing with some of the best ballerinas, including her mom, Ashley Bouder. How cool is that?
Violet will be an angel while Ashley performs as the Sugarplum Fairy. It’s a rare moment for mother-daughter pairs in the ballet world, and they’re both excited. Violet has grown up in the theater, so she knows the ropes, but her mom has reminded her to keep it professional.
“When you see the Sugarplum Fairy, smile big, but no ‘hi’ or winks,” Ashley told Violet as they prepared for the show. It’s all about keeping that ballet magic alive!
Being an angel in The Nutcracker is a big deal. The youngest dancers in the New York City Ballet’s production are all students from the School of American Ballet. They’ll perform in 25 shows, giving them a taste of what it’s like to be a full-time dancer.
For Ashley, it’s special to see her daughter follow in her footsteps. She’s been through a lot in the dance world, both good and bad, and now she gets to guide Violet through it all.
But it’s not all fairy tales. The ballet world can be tough, and Ashley is open with Violet about the pressures of being thin and the challenges that come with it. They talk about body image, and Violet even gives her mom compliments when she needs them.
As Violet grows, Ashley knows it might get harder for her to navigate these issues. She hopes the ballet culture can become healthier, with better support for young dancers.
Ashley is also passionate about changing the gender imbalance in ballet. She wants more positive female role models for Violet to look up to, as she remembers how few there were when she was growing up.
Now, as a “ballet mom,” Ashley supports Violet’s passion for dance without being a pushy stage mom. She’s there when needed but lets Violet enjoy her performances.
After a bullying incident in class, Ashley stepped in to help Violet. She believes in steering clear of negativity and focusing on the positive.
Having Violet has shifted Ashley’s priorities. She’s learned to be kinder to herself and more focused on what truly matters. Ballet is still her passion, but motherhood has changed her perspective.
“I can lead by example in what I eat and how I take care of my body,” Ashley says, knowing that Violet is watching and learning from her every step of the way.