Almost every day after school, 11-year-old Klara Whalley can be found in Fall River doing hundreds of sit ups and push ups, not to mention the plies, the stretches and everything else that comes with mastering the art (and sport) of ballet.

So far, it’s paying off. In December, Klara played one of her dream parts, Clara, in Spindle City Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

“When I got the email, I was speechless,” said Klara. “I couldn’t believe that actually happened.”

Now, the Old Hammondtown School fifth grader is taking on the White Rabbit in the ballet company’s “Alice in Wonderland,” while also considering a career in dance.

Klara started ballet around the age of four or five with the New Bedford Ballet.

“I was really into it,” said Klara. “It felt really good when I was doing it. It was fun and easy for me.”

Seeking a challenge, Klara’s parents, Monika and Trey, moved her to Spindle City Ballet, a nonprofit ballet company in Fall River.

Klara said the school has only increased her love of ballet, and her dedication to dance has become a primary focus in her life. With seven to eight hours of practicing each week, she spends much of her free time in ballet shoes.

“I think it’s really great for her,” said Monika. “It really gives her something that she enjoys challenging herself on. It gives her self-confidence.”

The Whalleys, as well as Spindle City, require Klara to keep her grades up to participate, and she often does her homework in the car to and from practice.

Monika drives her daughter to Fall River most days, while also taking her younger daughter, Hanna, to horse riding lessons.

“It’s definitely a lot of work for me, too, but I think it’s worth it to see her do something that she loves,” she said.

Monika also said she appreciates the dance instructors, under the leadership of Artistic Director Lisa Bibeau. There are no “Dance Mom” characters at the studio, and the teachers were very cautious about moving Klara up to pointe shoes, said Monika.

“They’re very strict and demanding, but in an understanding way,” Monika said.

For her part, Klara said the teaching style and the atmosphere at Spindle City are a good fit for her.

“It’s like another family that I have,” Klara said of her fellow classmates and teachers. “I really like the teachers we have there. They really try to help us.”

Klara recently branched out to jazz and modern dance but said ballet is still her favorite, and something she may like to pursue in the future.

“Since I was Clara and I’ve gotten other roles, I feel like I could go pretty far,” she said.

Klara can be seen on the stage as the White Rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland” on March 28 and 29 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Spindle City Ballet Studio Theatre, 288 Plymouth Ave, Fall River. The ballet, about 45 minutes, is a good introduction to ballet for kids, said Monika.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children and seniors. For more information, visit spindlecityballet.org or call 508-536-6073.