Every once in a while, you meet someone who has spent a lifetime doing what they love. Sometimes they're lucky enough to do that with a person they love by their side. Five minutes with Ulla and Allen Ames and you realize you've met two people who fit this description.

Born in Finland, Ulla Ames fell in love with dance. Most notably, she learned to love a complex form of dance that strikes the delicate balance between strength and grace, rigor and freedom. The dance form known as ballet. Classically trained - having danced professionally with the Finnish Opera Ballet in Finland - Ulla moved to the United States where she met her husband, Allen Ames. They opened a ballet studio in Utah where Ulla made the transition from dancer to instructor.

To provide structure for her teaching, Ulla adopted the curriculum of the esteemed Royal Academy of Dance. Then to make the experience of learning to dance more enjoyable, she worked with one of the original producers of Tchaikovky's "The Nutcracker" in the United States, William Christenson, and created a version of The Nutcracker for children with a predominately all-children, student cast.

Over the years, her husband Allen, worked side by side with Ulla - building out rehearsal spaces, designing sets and producing shows. He too, had fallen in love with ballet. To this day he performs the role of Drosselmeyer the toy maker in The Nutcracker. The Ames children and grand children have also been active participants – spreading their joy and appreciation of dance down through the generations.

Many years back, the Ames relocated to the Kansas City area and opened the Ballet Conservatory of Independence. For twenty-three years they've performed The Nutcracker in the area. It is a surprisingly professional production – from costumes and sets to the quality of the dancers. The twenty-fourth edition of The Nutcracker is coming this December, an experience that is bound to get you into the holiday mood. See below for information on dates and locations.

The Ames shine with the knowledge of knowing they have spent a lifetime working together, making a difference in the lives of young people by teaching the value of dedication to a craft and the confidence that comes from mastering new challenges. Author Wayne Dyer once said, "When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way." I'm most certain he said this with the Ames in mind.

Catch the 24th edition of The Nutcracker at the Liberty Performing Arts Center – 1600 S Withers Road, Liberty MO 64068.

December 2, 2011 - 10am and 12pm (educational school groups)December 3, 2011 – 11am, 3pm and 7pm (public performances)

The Pavilion at John Knox Village – 520 NW Murray Road, Lee's Summit MO 64068.

December 10, 2011 – 3pm

For tickets and more information visit balletconservatory.net.