my daughter, I'm her biggest fan!

[Leyladancer]

This is Babette Soleil, my baby, last November, 2007. She is eleven years old in this improv performance. She was having a lot of pain in her ankle before this show. Later we found out she was dancing on a stress fracture, from pointe shoes- what a trooper!

Anyway, I am in awe of her in this video. I just wanted to share this with other dancers who could appreciate the situation.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAUhSqKienk&feature=related]YouTube - Babette Soleil[/ame]

[haleemachandani]

Beautiful! Babette is the cutest and she's sooo talented already, so young. Improv with an injury and still she danced wonderfully. This made me all teary-eyed! I'm a fan for sure!!

[RaqOn]

Awe, can I have her?

[kina]

wow, congratulations!

[Teressa]

Watch out for her when she gets older! She's already an awesome dancer...and those spins!! Love it! ..g.:

[Azhia]

She definitely has "It"!

[emma-bessa]

She is amazing!I sat watching with a big grin!

My girl Isabelle has just turned 13,and she makes streetdance choreos for her friends(she´s a little too shy to perform)
She is curious enough in bellydance,but street/hiphop is her main interest...

I´m so proud of her and you must be so proud of your daughter.

Hugs Emma

[Leyladancer]

Watch out for her when she gets older! She's already an awesome dancer...and those spins!! Love it! ..g.:

Yes, as you can see she loves to spin! She spins around the studio all the time.......Never stops spinning lol. ..l;,

[Leyladancer]

Thanks everyone for your nice comments. I also just wanted to say that I didn't force her to do this performance. In fact, I kept asking her not to do it but she really wanted to. After the show my mom had said "she looks unhappy, burnt out" but it was actually pain. Well, pain plus the fact that after she got out there she saw a little boy from her class sitting right in the front of the crowd, which is probably not that easy for an eleven year old!

[shimmygoddess]

She is so cute!! What a beautiful girl and dancer. She would make any mom proud!

[bethsoren]

She is fabulous!! I love watching young girls who are talented and work hard. I can't wait to show this clip to my girls when they get home from school today! BTW, where did the great costume come from! I am always struggling to find nice costumes that are appropriate for young girls to wear. (My girls are 8 & 4.)

[TediThomas]

She's absolutely delightful! I can only imagine how much more she would have lit up the stage than she did if she hadn't been in pain (*and* had that awkwardness of her classmate being there - 11 can be such a difficult age for interrelations between boys and girls). How wonderful it is that you can share the love of this dance together (and that she has chosen to do so). My own daughter is 18 and has peripherally been involved in the dance most of her life. I've never forced it upon her, it has been up to her to decide if she wished to be involved (though she's always had *quite* the attachment to my first silk veil). ..g.: She has just in this past year decided to become a member of the dance troupe I belong to and, oddly enough, the first duet we did together as members of the troupe happened to be a veil choreography. I wish you many happy years of (if not actual collaboration) dancing together/ in each other's presence. It is a special thing.

[laura 2]

She is a lovely dancer with a lot of confidence and stage presence at such a young age!

My daughter will be 11 this fall, and while she likes to BD socially during an open dance at a hafla, she's completely opposed to doing anything solo or staged in any way.

[Leyladancer]

She is fabulous!! I love watching young girls who are talented and work hard. I can't wait to show this clip to my girls when they get home from school today! BTW, where did the great costume come from! I am always struggling to find nice costumes that are appropriate for young girls to wear. (My girls are 8 & 4.)

Beth, I get most of Babette's costumes from King of the Nile. Don't look in the little dancers link, just look at the costumes and usually at the bottom there are a few tiny ones. I have searched far and wide to find a costume that, imo, is suitable for her. I don't really like bras on kids. It just dosen't look right. And, I had her wear the black jazz pants underneath because she loves jazz and is a fusion dancer so I thought it worked. Although looking at these costumes on King of the Nile always makes me think that I should just make her something, they really are so simple. If only I had the time! But I think I got it on sale for about $40, so really totally worth it to me.

[Leyladancer]

She's absolutely delightful! I can only imagine how much more she would have lit up the stage than she did if she hadn't been in pain (*and* had that awkwardness of her classmate being there - 11 can be such a difficult age for interrelations between boys and girls). How wonderful it is that you can share the love of this dance together (and that she has chosen to do so). My own daughter is 18 and has peripherally been involved in the dance most of her life. I've never forced it upon her, it has been up to her to decide if she wished to be involved (though she's always had *quite* the attachment to my first silk veil). ..g.: She has just in this past year decided to become a member of the dance troupe I belong to and, oddly enough, the first duet we did together as members of the troupe happened to be a veil choreography. I wish you many happy years of (if not actual collaboration) dancing together/ in each other's presence. It is a special thing.

Tedi, you are so right! Let anyone say what they want about bellydancing.....many of the moms I know will never enjoy the kind of bond I have with Babette, which I credit to bellydance. Honestly, she goes back and forth with liking it and then being sick of it, but I just don't force it and let her come in and out of class as she wishes. She mostly has learned through osmosis since she won't really let me teach her anything (since she knows everything right now lol).

How wonderful that she has decided to join the troupe! More happy memories! I wish I could see the veil choreography! Our first one was an enactment of 2 Siamese cats.

[Amaryllis]

She's terrific! My daughter, Sofia Isabella is 4 1/2 and has been belly dancing from the womb. She has already performed in a duet and a few solo's and loves it. Her wardrobe is becoming more extensive then mine....thank goodness I sew! I love the bond that belly dancing creates between a mother and daughter - it is like no other bond in the world.

I have some of Sofia's belly dance pictures on my website (haven't figured out how to get video's and pictures on here just yet).
Belly Dance by Amaryllis Salome' Carter | Shimmy This Belly Dance Company Raks Las Vegas!

[Azhia]

Bravo to all the young dancers out there! And that they do it b/c they love it. It must make you all proud to be related to these Little Divas (the good kind). ;0) I love to see talent cultivated so naturally at a young age. It's very inspiring.

[TediThomas]

Yes, it is quite the special bond. It allows us to be even more open and frank about our bodies and everything feminine related (since my dance friends and I tend to be completely open about such things too). Mine also would come into and out of the dance at her own whims. I never forced her into class, but she would often tag along and pick things up on her own timeframe. She has even gone to one or two seminars with me (of her own desire to attend). Osmosis is pretty much how I felt Katie has learned what she knows of the dance (her early "training" if you will). Now that she's joined the troupe, she's begun taking the continuing-level class that Sedonia teaches. If she decides to stay with the dance, I am sure that she may well far out shine my efforts in the dance. Maybe Sedonia or I (once I figure out how to do such things) will get a clip of the veil duet posted at some point. It is a delight when families can share in a passion.

Tedi, you are so right! Let anyone say what they want about bellydancing.....many of the moms I know will never enjoy the kind of bond I have with Babette, which I credit to bellydance. Honestly, she goes back and forth with liking it and then being sick of it, but I just don't force it and let her come in and out of class as she wishes. She mostly has learned through osmosis since she won't really let me teach her anything (since she knows everything right now lol).

How wonderful that she has decided to join the troupe! More happy memories! I wish I could see the veil choreography! Our first one was an enactment of 2 Siamese cats.

[Adishakti]

Wow - There's a sure reason to be proud! Not just the dancing, but her dedication and determination.

What a talented little girl!

Yay, Babette!

[bethsoren]

Beth, I get most of Babette's costumes from King of the Nile. Don't look in the little dancers link, just look at the costumes and usually at the bottom there are a few tiny ones. I have searched far and wide to find a costume that, imo, is suitable for her. I don't really like bras on kids. It just dosen't look right. And, I had her wear the black jazz pants underneath because she loves jazz and is a fusion dancer so I thought it worked. Although looking at these costumes on King of the Nile always makes me think that I should just make her something, they really are so simple. If only I had the time! But I think I got it on sale for about $40, so really totally worth it to me.

Thanks for the info! Tell your daughter to take good care of that stress fracture.

[MariaAya]

That was just wonderfull !!!! she have teqnick, feeling of the music, loves to dance (it seems) and she is modest in a lovely way.
I usual dont like kids dancing (and even more bellydancing) but this was very original !!
Wishing you health, happiness and success in the years to come, and her to grow and dance (or do whatever she wants in her life) and you to be the prowd mom :)

OMG the time pass so quick !!! Enjoy her !! cant believe my daughter is 18 years now ..g.:

Maria Aya

[starglow]

wow she is beautiful. I got goosebumps watching and she improvised beautifully. what a proud mamma you must be.

[Yazeena]

Your daughter is absolutely beautiful..And an amazing dancer!!

[anala]

Wow!!! I want her in my troupe..she can be the star!

[raakyroad]

she's so awesome and is super sweet and silly. she cracks me up with her sense of humor. she will def become a star!

[Zarka]

I love to look at her! She´s so talented, beautiful and absolutely amazing!

[Lisa Michelle]

What a gifted child! You must be a very proud mom! She dances so well and especially for her age. She dances with such confidence. How old is she and how long has she been belly dancing?

I am going to share this clip with the few very young students that I have. They just love to see videos of other young girls close to their age.

Thanks for sharing!

Lisa

[Lisa Michelle]

Beth, I get most of Babette's costumes from King of the Nile. Don't look in the little dancers link, just look at the costumes and usually at the bottom there are a few tiny ones. I have searched far and wide to find a costume that, imo, is suitable for her. I don't really like bras on kids. It just dosen't look right. And, I had her wear the black jazz pants underneath because she loves jazz and is a fusion dancer so I thought it worked. Although looking at these costumes on King of the Nile always makes me think that I should just make her something, they really are so simple. If only I had the time! But I think I got it on sale for about $40, so really totally worth it to me.

Leyla,

I have several students around the age of ten and have been looking for costumes for them. I too don't believe they should wear costume bras at that age. I wish that LRose made their velvet tops with the flounce sleeves for children. I don't even see a price or option to order tops that small.

Lisa

[Mosaika]

Little Babette
Oh Leyla-Mummy you have one gorgeous little dancer there. I bet you are bursting at the seams with pride. Your Sweet Daughter is totally a

[Shaunte]

Parents are always proud of their children (or should be) but Wow! Leyla, your daughter is such a beautiful performer. I see something very special in her performance already....as I'm sure you do. I'm sure she's gonna be one of the names we hear about in the future. Please tell her congratulations on such a beautiful performance!!