Sports Medicine

Patient Stories | Emma's Story

Emma’s Dance Dreams Keep Growing

Three years ago, Emma was living a childhood dream: performing in Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker. 

Getting to that stage took years of hard work, dedication and determination. But more dreams remain for the 15-year-old high school sophomore as she continues to train in multiple styles of dance and performs 20 hours a week with her home studio.  

And along the way, whenever dance-related injuries have threatened to interrupt Emma’s progress, Cincinnati Children’s has been a trusted resource.   

Experts in our Dance Clinic have helped Emma navigate recovery multiple times, while always keeping her long-term goals in sight. The Nutcracker was a dream fulfilled; Emma is now dreaming about what will come next. 

She is already looking ahead to college, where she hopes to continue studying dance and eventually pursue a career as a performer. 

“I’m really serious about my academics, so hopefully I can double major in an academic focus and dance,” Emma says. “And, hopefully, that will lead to booking jobs for dance after college.” 

With the help of Cincinnati Children’s, Emma has learned many things over the years. None more important than knowing that becoming a better dancer means more than mastering technique. It also means understanding her body, building a strong foundation and knowing when to listen to it. 

Understanding Her Body Through Physical Therapy 

Emma’s training has become more varied since we first shared her story. She’s gained experience in more styles and now takes conditioning and technique classes. 

“It really helps me check-in with myself to know if I’m doing things correctly or not,” she says. “It allows me to go back to the basics, which I learned from Aly is so important.” 

That awareness became especially important a few years ago when Emma injured her ankle during gymnastics practice. 

At first, Emma was told she had a sprain. But when the ankle didn’t improve, her family turned to Cincinnati Children’s physical therapist Aly Filipa, PT, whom Emma already knew and has trusted for years. 

Aly knew that growth plate injuries in children don’t always appear clearly on X-rays so she recommended Emma continue wearing a boot until she was pain-free. In addition, they modified Emma's activities and focused on restoring her strength and range of motion.

The treatment plan worked but meant that Emma temporarily had to step back from dancing. She maintained a positive attitude throughout.  

Emma and Aly looked at her upcoming performances and decided which activities Emma could safely do and which movements, including tap, would need to wait. Together, they worked on Emma’s gradual return to dance, including ankle mobility and strengthening exercises, through a modified dance schedule.  

“I remember tap, specifically,” Emma says. “[Aly] was like, you’re probably not going to tap for a couple of months. It’s going to be long, but that’s what it’s going to take.” 

A Trusted Partner in Emma’s Dance Journey 

Emma understands that successful recovery is not about rushing back. It is about making smart choices so she can keep doing what she loves. 

Emma also appreciates having someone like Aly in her life.   

“She’s really helped me. From my dancer tendonitis to when I fractured my ankle. She is amazing,” Emma says.  

For Aly, just being part of Emma’s journey is something she values deeply. 

“I am humbled to be a trusted partner in her care,” Aly says. “I do not take that for granted, as there are many places she could choose to go for care, and she keeps choosing us.”

As for Emma’s future plans, Aly thinks Emma shares some of the same qualities that she’s seen in other dancers who’ve gone on to college programs and professional careers. Specifically: a strong work ethic, dedication to her artform and a willingness to put in the extra effort to be the best.

Next up for Emma, she will attend a dance workshop at Oklahoma City University where she hopes to learn more about the program and meet instructors. It’s on the short list of college dance programs that Emma is exploring, along with the University of Arizona, Pace University and others.   

She’s excited about what lies ahead and knows it wouldn’t be possible without the support of her family, friends, teammates, coaches and Cincinnati Children’s care team. 

“I’m just super thankful,” says Emma. “For everyone who has helped me and their support over the years.”  

(Published October 2026)