Blog

CINCINNATI — A ballet program 18 years in the making has made come true for almost 500 young girls. Princesses Ballet, founded by Gordon Havens, teaches ballet and the importance of a relationship with God, all for free.

​​Maria Lopez is one of Havens’ ballerinas. But just one year ago, she hadn’t even stepped foot on stage

“It surprised me,” Lopez said. “Like, I was with my dad and I had nothing. I did no sports or anything. But now, I’m doing ballet!”

Thanks to Princesses Ballet, being a ballerina is much easier since it’s free. That’s because Havens, the founder and director of the program, wanted to make sure any little girl could become a ballerina.

“This gives them a chance, an opportunity to do something that’s really beautiful and fun, and it helps their esteem and they feel good dancing in their costumes,” Havens said.

But for Lopez, that wasn’t the only reason she joined. Last Christmas, she was shot in a drive-by shooting. But Princesses Ballet allowed her to heal.

“Princesses Ballet made me heal through the Bible because we do Bible study and I really like Bible study,” Lopez said. “And hanging out with all my friends here because they’re really nice. That’s why I heal.”

Lopez said that’s thanks in part to her coach, Havens, who teaches them about scripture and pliés. 

“My coach makes me have discipline,” she said. “If I don’t wanna go that day and then I have fun that day.”

“Strict is good, as long as they know I really care about them,” Havens said. “I do love these children. So, it’s a combination, a balance of tender and tough. But what happens with toughness really tends to demand the potential, it brings the potential, the full potential out of these girls.”

And while Havens shows his tough love, he knows it’s all so he can see girls like Lopez succeed in ballet and later on in life.

“It is such a reward to see the light bulb turn on in these girls,” he said.