Isabella LaFreniere

In fall 2018, the tragic passing of @stlouisballet dancer Raffaella Stroik shook the dance world. Today, her hometown of South Bend, Indiana, continues to honor her memory. Her life has now inspired a brand-new fairy-tale ballet, @raffaella.ballet , commissioned by the Stroik family in her memory and choreographed by @ckretz92 . It premieres this month at South Bend’s @morrispac , running June 29–30. Learn more at the link in our bio. 💕 📸: Raffaella Stroik. Photo by @kellyprattphoto , courtesy Raffaella Ballet. 📸: Claire Kretzschmar (front), @ilafreniere , and @jonatan.lujan.art . Photo by @megan.lc.mcnally , courtesy Raffaella Ballet. 📸: Claire Kretzschmar. Photo by Megan L.C. McNally, courtesy Raffaella Ballet. 📸: Raffaella Stroik. Photo by Kelly Pratt, courtesy Raffaella Ballet. 📝: @loveesuds @southolddancetheater @southbendsymphony @ballerinaleah @paulzusi #raffaellaballet #raffaellastroik #southbend

Special memories of performing Faust at Workshop ✨ Sending a big merde to all the talented @sab_nyc students in tonight’s performance! I can’t wait to watch you all shine! #sab90 📸: Paul Kolnik

Wishing NYCB a big merde for their opening week of spring season! 🌸✨I was really looking forward to performing and experiencing so many beautiful ballets this week, but unfortunately I’m dealing with an injury. Hoping to heal and be back onstage with everyone soon! 🥰 📷: @jamesjinimages

Winter Season Highlights! 1. Celebrating Suki and SAB’s 90th Anniversary 2. Post performance picture after a magical time in Liebeslieder. Just missing Tyler! 3. Snow Day with Quincy 🤍❄️ 4. Symphony in Three Movements with @julesmabie 5. Curtain call after a special performance of Ratmansky’s new ballet Solitude 🇺🇦 Grateful to my rep directors and partners for all their help and support this season. Learning and growing each day! Now for a little rest and recharge before heading to Chicago!

A little shoe prep moment with @ilafreniere 🩰 Of all the moments to capture, it’s these quiet ones that I’m drawn to most — artists in their prep process is my favorite thing to witness. Unlike sports where you get to see the players warm up (heck, you can even go to batting practice before a game), there is very rarely an opportunity for patrons of the arts to peek back behind the curtain to see an artist in process. It’s a special space and one I’m very grateful to be let into now and again. It doesn’t hurt that the shoes and the subject are stunning 🤩 A small excerpt from a photo series shot for @ckretz92 new work for @westfieldschoolofdance entitled Raffaella.

Happy Birthday Mr. B! It is an honor and a privilege to dance the many treasures that you left us 🤍 All 📸 by @erinbaiano

@ilafreniere is serving legs. Also, excited to have you to teach @chunnerstudio tomorrow for the ballet class ❤️ 📸 @erinbaiano Episodes by @georgebalanchinetrust @nycballet

Special December memories! 🎄✨ Wishing each of you a happy and healthy New Year! 🥂

Time to tie the hair back and gear up for our Nutcracker season! 📷: @resslerphotog1

Felt like a princess in my @safiyaa_official dress styled by @keenanr_ for NYCB’s 75th Anniversary Gala ✨ #KEENonstyle

Such a blast performing with @joshuahenryofficial in @wesgordon ‘s new design for the @nycballet fall fashion gala 💗 Wish we could do it all over again!

A dream come true debuting diamonds with @chunner last night. As a student, I remember watching @wendyw @realmkowroski and @saramearns from the fourth ring in awe— dreaming that one day I would be lucky enough to perform such a beautiful and special role. I still can’t believe that dream came true. I’m grateful to the ballerinas that have inspired me as well as Chun and Katey for all the hours of work. Looking forward to experiencing this ballet again tomorrow night! 🤍