Atlanta Ballet was lucky to meet Vanessa Gissell, an 11-year-old future ballerina, through its relationship with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. She has had a challenging year battling sickle cell anemia, and we're thrilled to see her doing so well and to have had the opportunity to host her at our performance of Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker on Friday, December 19th!

Click here to learn more about Vanessa's journey to recovery and see her trip backstage with Atlanta Ballet's Company dancers at the Fox Theatre!

Atlanta Ballet Company dancer Kiara Felder strikes a pose with Vanessa Gissell. Photo courtesy of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.