Eli predicted his own future as a ballet dancer at age 13 in Getting To The Nutcracker when he showed us his most prized possession from his warm up collection. “This one is the most special because Joaquin gave it to me. Joaquin De Luz from NYCB. And Baryshnikov gave it to him and Baryshnikov wore it and Joaquin wore it.”

Eli’s path to NYCB, his dream, has taken years and several ballet companies but he never lost sight of his goal. New York City Ballet’s part in Getting To The Nutcracker comes full circle with Eli’s acceptance. The documentary was based on the children’s book, “A Very Young Dancer” by Jill Krementz, that followed students at the School of American Ballet (SAB) who danced in NYCB’s Nutcracker production.

You can see Eli in THIS YEAR’S NYCB Nutcracker on the world’s most famous stage at Lincoln Center. Congratulations Eli. We share in your joy on this momentous occasion. Merde! Merde! Merde!