When a demanding career meets motherhood, the result is a joyous freedom from perfection.
Profession: Professional ballet dancer
Community: Eugene
Partner: Mark Tucker, professional ballet dancer
Children: Luca, age 4, and Theo, age 1.5
Photos by: Livia fremouw
Family comes first.
All families are unique. Tell us about yours.
My husband, Mark, and I are both principal dancers with the Eugene Ballet Company. As partners both on and off stage, we spend almost our entire day together. People often ask how we manage to spend so much time together without fighting, but the truth is, we love what we do, love doing it together and have the utmost respect for one another.
We have two beautiful children, Luca (4) and Theo (1.5), both of whom I performed with while pregnant! I danced Swan Lake at 25 weeks pregnant with Luca, and with Theo, I performed Sleeping Beauty at 12 weeks and continued in The Nutcracker until I was 19 weeks pregnant.
When did you know you wanted to be a mom? I’ve wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved being around children. There’s something incredibly rewarding about their energy, curiosity and honesty. Whether it’s watching them learn, seeing their creativity blossom, or simply enjoying their company, being with kids brings me immense joy and fulfillment. I knew that having children of my own would be even more rewarding, adding a deeper layer of meaning to my life. That’s also why I became a dance teacher — I wanted to share my passion for movement while nurturing the growth and creativity of the next generation of artists.
What is something you swore you would never do before kids that you now do (skip showers, go to a drive through coffee in your pjs, etc.)?
Before kids I used to hate leftovers and would cook something new every night, but now I swear by them. I often make large portions to reheat throughout the week, and I’ll even freeze extras to pull out on those busy days when I don’t have the time or energy to cook.
You know you’re a mom when you hear yourself say...
“If I have to tell you one more time!”
What are you enjoying the most about parenting right now?
I love watching the boys learn and grow. Luca, who’s in preschool, is always asking questions about how things work or why things are the way they are. It’s so rewarding when he surprises me by sharing something I didn’t even know he knew. Theo, on the other hand, is just beginning to show his own personality, and it’s amazing to catch glimpses of who he’s becoming. I love seeing how his mind works — he’s incredibly observant, and it’s fascinating to watch what he picks up from his experiences.
No one works harder than mom.
Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home.
I’m a principal ballet dancer with the Eugene Ballet Company, as well as an instructor at the Eugene Ballet Academy and the director of their Senior Youth Performing Group. Many people are surprised to learn that my full-time job is as a performing artist, but in addition to performing, I also spend my evenings inspiring and training the next generation of dancers. During our off-season, my husband and I travel across the United States as guest artists, teaching and performing with schools nationwide.
What have you learned professionally that has helped you as a mom?
Being a professional ballet dancer requires immense discipline and sacrifice. My life revolves around this art form, and it’s not something I can simply “turn off” when I leave work each day. To maintain the high level of performance expected of me, I have to constantly take care of my body, which often means missing out on things. At the same time, being a mother is one of the most selfless roles a person can take on, the very definition of sacrifice. Yet, the rewards of raising my children — the bonds we share and the love I receive from them — make every sacrifice worthwhile.
Tell us about a recent achievement you’re proud of, or a personal passion or talent.
This February, I’m thrilled to perform the title role in Eugene Ballet Company’s production of Carmen. I first danced this role in 2015, and it was the performance that led to my promotion to principal dancer. Carmen remains my favorite role to date — it’s the one I compare every other role to. I’m beyond excited and honored to have the opportunity to bring her to life again.
When was the last time you failed? What did you learn?
As a performing artist, particularly in live theater, mistakes are inevitable. You invest so much time and energy into perfecting the performance that when something goes wrong, it can feel heartbreaking. When you’re lucky, you only get one or two chances, so when things don’t go as planned, it’s incredibly frustrating. However, with each mistake — and especially since becoming a mother — I’ve learned to let it go and move on. My boys are so much bigger than any mistake I could make on stage. In many ways, this shift in mindset has made me a better dancer, allowing me to embrace the freedom of letting go of the need to be perfect.
Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years?
I’m definitely closer to the end of my dance career than the beginning. Within the next five years, I’ll likely be transitioning, or at least approaching the transition, into the next chapter of my life. With that change, I also hope it brings more time spent with my family and less time focused on maintaining the level of physical strength and discipline that my career demands.
If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.
Tell us about your upbringing. How did it shape the mother you are today?
My mom was instrumental in helping me get to where I am today. As a professional ballet dancer, you can’t reach this level without the unwavering support of someone behind you. I fell in love with dance at a very young age, and with that came years of sacrifice and dedication to achieving my dreams. My mom drove me to every dance class, spent countless hours waiting while I practiced, supported me through all the tears and challenges and was there to celebrate my successes. Now, I want to offer the same support to my boys, helping them pursue whatever path they choose and achieve their own hopes and dreams.
Which good habit do you wish you started earlier?
Cross training! It might seem crazy that I work out for a living and then work out even more, but cross training has given me so much freedom. Not only is it a fantastic way to decompress and relieve stress, but it has also made me a better dancer. I experience fewer injuries and have much more freedom in my movement thanks to the added strength.
What is one thing you never had that you want for your kids?
Growing up, I didn’t spend much time outdoors, so my sense of adventure is something I’ve developed as an adult. Now, I’m determined to get my kids outside as much as possible so they can experience the beauty of nature.
What is the quality you like most about yourself?
I’m incredibly organized and thrive on planning. Whether it’s managing my schedule, coordinating family activities, or staying on top of daily tasks, having a clear structure helps me stay focused and reduces stress. I love creating lists and setting goals — it gives me a sense of control and ensures everything runs smoothly. Of course, kids have a way of upending my plans, but they’ve taught me to be much better at letting go and adapting when things don’t go as expected.
If you could instantly have one new skill (i.e. foreign language, musical talent, eyes in the back of your head, etc.), what would it be?
I wish I could slow down time! Everyone says that when you have kids, time seems to fly by, and it’s more true than I ever could have imagined.
What’s your superpower? I have an incredible memory and can retain a vast amount of information at once. One of the things I’m particularly proud of is my ability to remember choreography from ballets we performed years ago. While part of it is muscle memory, once I’ve learned a piece, it’s stored in my mind for good. This skill is incredibly useful in my profession, where recalling movements and sequences is crucial.
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, in which event would you win a gold medal? Doing a lot of consecutive pirouettes!
Tell us something about you that would surprise people who don’t know you.
I’m an avid paddleboarder and absolutely love being out on the water. In fact, I have a special stand on the front of my board that my husband built, allowing me to take my baby, Theo, with me on my paddling adventures. I usually average about 10 miles a day, and it’s the perfect way to stay active while enjoying some peaceful time outdoors.
It’s Saturday afternoon and you suddenly find yourself at home alone for a few hours (we know, it never happens). What do you do?
I’m not great at taking time to relax — I actually get a lot of anxiety when I’m doing nothing. When I’m home alone, I tend to tackle as many tasks as I can so that when I’m with my family, I can be fully present and focused on them.
What keeps you up at night (apart from kids, of course)?
I’m so exhausted from work, teaching, and taking care of my kids that I barely hit the pillow before I’m fast asleep!
What keeps you sane?
I work a lot — dancing from 9 to 5 and teaching four evenings a week until 9 p.m. While I absolutely love what I do, the weekends are what I look forward to most. That’s when I get to spend quality time with my family, and we make the most of it. We try to spend as much time outside as possible, whether we’re camping, hiking or paddleboarding. Resting isn’t really our thing — we’d much rather be outdoors, building memories and sharing experiences with our kids. Those moments are what truly recharge me and keep me grounded.
What is your least/most favorite household chore?
I really dislike fixing things around the house, so my husband handles all of that. But when it comes to cooking and baking, I absolutely love it. I’m always on Pinterest, looking for new recipes to try. I prefer not to feed my family processed foods, so I enjoy finding creative ideas to keep our meals fresh and interesting.
What’s your guilty pleasure (dark chocolate hidden in the pantry, TJ Maxx, daily latte habit)?
A fancy charcuterie board and some ice cream from Salt & Straw.
Outside of your family members, who/what inspires you to be better?
Being a mom is hard, and I am so grateful to have an incredible partner and husband by my side to share the load. His support makes all the difference, and I couldn’t do it without him. There are days when the challenges of motherhood feel overwhelming, and during those moments, I often think about single moms. The way they manage everything on their own — balancing work, parenting, and all the other demands of life — is nothing short of remarkable. I am in awe of their strength and resilience.
Listen to mom.
Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most?
Being a mother is so much more rewarding than I ever thought it would be. Before I had children,
I had ideas about what motherhood would be like but the reality of it has been far more profound than I could have imagined. There’s a sense of fulfillment in watching them grow, in seeing their unique personalities develop, and in being part of their everyday discoveries. The small moments, like their laughter, their first words, or simply holding their hand, bring a sense of joy that I never knew I needed.
Who and what has influenced the mother you are today? My mom has been a huge inspiration in shaping me as a mother. She instilled in me strength, perseverance and taught me the true meaning of sacrifice — how to put others before myself, especially when it’s difficult. Her example has shaped the foundation of my own motherhood journey, reminding me that love and commitment often require selflessness and resilience. After becoming a mom myself, I find that I look at other mothers with even more awe and admiration than I did before. The way they juggle their responsibilities, their unwavering dedication, and their ability to give so much of themselves — it’s humbling.
What advice would you give your younger mom self? What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
You don’t have to be perfect all the time. It’s okay to make mistakes and to ask for help. It doesn’t mean you aren’t capable or that you’re not a good mom.
What message would you like to share with other moms? Remember to tell it like it is. We often feel like we fall short or that our best isn’t enough, but the truth is, we are doing incredible things every day. Motherhood isn’t about perfection — it’s about showing up, loving deeply and doing our best. And we don’t have to do it alone. We’re in this together, supporting and lifting one another up every step of the way.
MOMs love local…
We love locally owned businesses, restaurants, places and organizations. Share your favorite…
…coffee spot: Palace Coffee | Bakery
…hair salon: Gervais Salon & Day Spa
…restaurant to take the kids: Tacovore
…restaurants for a date night: Lion & Owl
…take-out, food truck or quick bite: Sabai Pacific Rim Cuisine
…meetup spot for happy hour: Marché
…local park where kids can let off steam: Amazon Park
…events in your community: Eugene Ballet Company productions
MOM’s favorite…
Tell us about your favorite…
…words to live by: No rest for the weary.
…place to find some peace & quiet: On my morning runs.
…way to get out of making dinner: I often make big meals and freeze them for when I don’t want to cook.
…parenting book or philosophy: Raise kids that you like being around.
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