Emerald Ballet Academy

💐🌞MAY Prima Ballerina Circle -

Anna Surapaneni💫

Anna Surapaneni Anna’s passion for dance, strong work ethic, and willingness to fully give herself to each performance have been truly appreciated throughout the season. Her meaningful accomplishments are a reflection of her dedication, perseverance, and genuine love for dance.
Anna has been a valued part of the EBA community and has contributed greatly to the school’s successful and inspiring year. She represents EBA beautifully, bringing positivity, commitment, and enthusiasm to every opportunity.
We are very proud of all Anna has accomplished this season and look forward to watching her continued growth and joy in dance in the years ahead. Congratulations on a beautiful season!

Anna

What’s one technical focus you’re refining?

I am working on Saut de Chat. My current variation La Esmeralda requires a lot of leaps (Saut de Chat especially.) I am working towards higher leaps while still maintaining the proper shape in the air.


How has ballet served you in other parts of your life?

Ballet has taught me to always be resilient. It has also taught me that hard work and dedication do pay off even if you don’t see the progress immediately.


How do you handle nerves before a rehearsal or performance?

I handle nerves before a rehearsal or performance by knowing that the thing I love most is to perform and this performance/ rehearsal is one of those opportunities where I get to share my passion for dance with others.

MAY Le Petit Luminaries SPOTLIGHT
💫Ilayda Aya and Incilay Aya Ilayda 💫

Ilayda Aya and Incilay Aya Ilayda are enthusiastic and dedicated students who approach both class and rehearsals with focus, attentiveness, and a genuine eagerness to learn. They listen carefully to instruction and consistently apply corrections with a positive attitude and strong work ethic. They are attentive to details and always strive to do their best.
They are diligent in attendance and commitment to all ballet classes and performances, continually demonstrating reliability, dedication, and a sincere love for dance. They are truly a joy to have in class!

May STUDIO STAR- ELLA FARRELL 💫💕

Ella is always a delight to have in our Studio! She consistently comes to class focused, attentive, and fully prepared to work. She actively seeks feedback on combinations and exercises to ensure she understands them correctly and executes them with accuracy and intention. When working on repertoire, she is always ready in her place with little to no prompting needed. She retains choreography very well and shows a genuine eagerness to refine and improve her performance each week. Beyond her technical growth, she is extremely respectful, mature, and positive in the classroom environment, often encouraging those around her to conduct themselves with the same level of focus and respect.

What’s your favorite part of class?

My favorite part of class is going across the floor. For example, I love the waltz combo that looks so graceful.

What do you like to do when you’re not dancing?

When I’m not dancing, I love to crochet, knit, bake, read, study history, take care of my garden, start a bonfire, hike, and spend time with my animals.

What role or variation would you love to try in the next year?

There are many roles and variations I would love to try sometime in the future, if not this next year. I really love Nikiya’s Death Scene variation. In the Nutcracker, I’d love to be a sword doll or tea dancer.

Well done and congratulations to Ella! We appreciate your hard work and positivity🫶🏻

✨ April Prima Circle Spotlight: Alexa Pigin ✨

Alexa brings elegance, warmth, and positivity to every class she attends. Her passion for dance shines through in her dedication, artistry, and the supportive energy she shares with those around her.

🩰 “Artistry is the ability to make people feel something when you dance. I build it through emotion, storytelling, musicality, and expression behind the technique.”

💫 A lesson that changed her perspective: “It’s not about getting the steps right, but about the passion and dedication you bring to dance.”

🌟 Before performances, Alexa focuses on doing what she loves most and using mindset tools she’s learned through .

Poised, passionate, and kind, Alexa truly embodies the spirit of ballet. Congratulations to our April Prima Circle honoree! 💕✨

April Studio Star💫💫
Sydney Little🌟🤍

Sydney is always on time and fully prepared for her classes and private lessons. Her love for ballet shines through in everything she does, and it’s clear she takes her training seriously. She consistently gives 100% of her effort, making her a joy to our staff, teachers, and fellow dancers alike.
We truly appreciate her bright smile and the positivity she brings to our studio each day. Keep shining, Sydney—we’re so proud of you!

What’s your favorite part of class? (Barre, Center, across the floor)

Across the floor is my favorite part of the class.

Name one habit outside the studio (sleep, stretching, hydration) that helps your dancing.

Hydration helps my dancing. I think drinking lots of water is important.

What role or variation would you love to try in the next year?

I’d love to do Waltz of the Flowers in the Nutcracker!

•••

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, Sydney🩷🩰