Callie Baker
Callalisa (Callie) Baker began ballet when she was only 3 after seeing several Bristol Ballet’s productions.
“My mom always took me to see ‘The Nutcracker’ every year and some other shows the Bristol Ballet was doing, such as ‘Unbroken Circle.’ My mom noticed how much I loved watching, and how I would try to copy some of the movements myself. When I was 3 years old, she signed me up for ballet class, and I loved it so much. Look where I am now,” she says.
Now 14, she plays The Fairy of Generosity in this month’s production of “Sleeping Beauty” by Bristol Ballet.
Through the years she has been in the Bristol Ballet’s productions of “Cinderella,” “Mulan,” “Snow White,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Once Upon a Time,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Nutcracker” many times.
“I can’t say I’ve seen a lot of ballets to really say I have a favorite, and they’re all so unique and interesting in their own ways. As for roles I’ve played, Clara in ‘The Nutcracker’ is the most magical and fun. In general, I love the roles Giselle and Myrtha, Aurora, Kitri, any fairy role including Sugarplum, and Dew Drop.
“I can’t even describe to you how much ballet inspires me. It takes so much grace, poise, control and strength to be able to do what professionals do. I also love watching the way professionals put all their passion into whatever role they play. You can see it in their eyes how much they love dancing. Even through the pain and fatigue, they still manage to look so magical,” she says.
In addition to ballet, Callie has accumulated a string of academic awards. She’s a straight-A honor roll student, a member of the Junior Beta Club at Tennessee Middle School, and won a certificate of excellence for most outstanding student in language arts.
She also enjoys some of the other arts. She draws, colors and paints. She plays the clarinet, and has attended theater camps and participated in school plays. But her favorite of the arts is ballet.
“Ballet to me means hard work, friendship, comfort, entertainment and much more. When I achieve my dreams, I can become someone else’s dream and inspire others. Ballet technique stresses perfection even though perfection is impossible. Constantly working towards the impossible doesn’t mean failure when you don’t get there, it means success and improvement when you get close. The support from the other girls at the studio always brings me joy, and I love all of them so much. Even when I’m stressed ballet can distract me from whatever is going on outside. The feeling of being on stage is so surreal and indescribable. Nothing is in my head but the music. Also, it’s fun to watch.
“My teachers are all a big inspiration to me. I always strive to impress them no matter what and want every one of them to think the best of me. There are also plenty of dancers who I look up to such as Tiler Peck, Marianela Nunez, and especially our very own Erin Ginn. Over Fall Break of 2022, my parents took me to see the Boston Ballet’s ‘My Obsession’ where the ballet performed several pieces and it was amazing,” she says.
Callie is the daughter of Tim and Charlene Baker of Bristol, Tennessee and is in the eighth grade at Tennessee Middle School. When she isn’t studying or dancing, she likes to watch movies, read, write stories and spend time with her friends and family.
