2024 Lead Dancer Spotlights

PRINCESS CLARA- GRANDE PAS DE DEUX & CODA- PAIGE, 15

When I think back on the four Nutcrackers that I have been honored to be a part of, so many memories come up. Some that are a part of the ritual like; the big sigh and laydown after snow when the curtain closes, the secret Santa, the notes during tech week, or the warm-up with the cast when we are squeezing to make room for everyone. These are the things that make me always look forward to this time of year. But, my favorite memory is somewhat more generic, it is the feeling of leaving everything that you have on the stage.

All of the dancers of MPBT work so hard for long hours. You grow so close to everyone on the cast, you make countless corrections to make it perfect and your body knows each and every step like second nature. So, my most memorable experience of Nutcracker is the feeling of it all coming together and the joy that we hope that the entire audience can feel is genuine.  I am so thankful for Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theater and Tia the artistic director for giving us dancers the opportunity to dance this amazing ballet for our community.  
 
There are so many things that I am looking forward this year!  From the long rehearsals, the changes that Tia will make, and the inside jokes and laughter that will be made. To summarize, I am so excited for the whole process of making the magical Nutcracker our very own. I can remember being a young chiId and my mom bringing my sisters and I to San Francisco Ballet to see their Nutracker.  I was mesmerized and wanted to dance every dance.  Then, as I got a little older and was able to start dancing and I got to be apart of my very own show, MPBT’s Nutcracker. I remember looking up to all of the leads so much and dreaming about being in their roles some day.  Therefore,  I am so looking forward to and honored to be able to be dancing the Grande Pas this year.  

A piece of advice I would give the younger dancers would be to just take it all in! Enjoy every minute!  Nutcracker and performing on stage in general has been a journey for me. There was a time that I did not like to be on stage but then I learned to take it all in and enjoy the process. The support that was behind me with Tia and all of our teachers, the buzz that is in the air, the friendships that have been made have truly become the reasons that I love to perform. I hope that all of the younger dancers will take the chance to enjoy their time in rehearsals and on stage and to show the love and enjoyment dance creates for them because that is what dance is all about for me: Love every second of what you are  you are doing.  

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY- LILIANA, 16

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My most memorable Nutcracker experience was running through the audience as a Clara’s friend and being right outside the theater instead of backstage before the show. I am most looking forward to another year of making friends through Nutcracker. I feel like we all get closer during Nutcracker season because we spend so much time together and I really enjoy all the bonds I’ve made through Nutcracker.

One piece of advice I have for an upcoming young MPBT dancer would be to have fun on stage. It is much more enjoyable if one trusts themselves and the audience will enjoy it too if it looks fun and personally it makes the performance experience 10 times better. Nutcracker is important to me because it is a wonderful experience to be able to work hard in rehearsals for a few months and then be able to showcase all that work.

Performing is such a fulfilling feeling and I love getting the opportunity of being able to be and perform in the Nutcracker.

CLARA- MARY, 16

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My most memorable experience in Nutcracker was when a few other dancers and I went to local elementary schools and performed for the children. The kids were so cute and it felt nice to bring a smile to their faces. 

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I am very honored to have the opportunity to be Clara this year. I’m looking forward to acting out the story and really performing for the audience. 

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One piece of advice I would give MPBT dancers is when you’re having a bad day at dance and you don’t feel motivated to keep going remember your “why”. Ask yourself why you started dancing or why you still continue to dance.

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The reason why Nutcracker is so important to me is because of the community. Everyone is so supportive and kind to each other. I’ll always cherish the friendships and memories. 

SNOW QUEEN- TES, 16

CAVALIER

Sam Jones

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We are excited to welcome Sam back to MPBT for his second year as Cavalier!

Sam started dancing at the age of 7 at Southold dance theater in South Bend Indiana. He trained primarily with Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik. He then participated in the Joffrey ballet’s first trainee program on full scholarship where he performed with the company in works such as Lar Lubovich's Othello and Robert Joffrey's Nutcracker. At the age of 19 he was offered a contract with Cincinnati Ballet where he performed as corps de ballet for 5 seasons.

In his time with Cincinnati Ballet he worked with such notable choreographers as Val Caniparoli, Amedeo Amodio, Adam Hoagland, and Trey McIntyre. Jones graduated summa cum laude from University of Cincinnati’s dance program which he attended on full scholarship, and then performed with Oklahoma City Ballet as corps de ballet for 5 seasons where he performed principal roles in works by choreographers such as Robert Mills, Septime Webre, and Cayetano Soto. 

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SNOW KING & ARABIAN

Joey Anderson

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Joey is a dance artist and educator based in New York City and his hometown, Salt Lake City. 

Since arriving in New York in January 2024, Joey has premiered a new duet, “Helaman Halls,” which was created in collaboration with Myles Woolstenhulme. It was presented at the TADA! Youth Theater through Verbal Animal’s festival, “Queer Noise” and Emerging Artists Theater’s “Spark Theatre Festival NYC.” Joey has also performed in Selah Dance Collective’s “Sound and Smoke” created by Meredith Ventura and Chloé Roberts, which was presented at Gibney’s Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center through Gibney’s Performance Opportunity Project.

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Joey is also a collaborator with FLEET Co-Op, directed by Shelby Taylor, in Salt Lake City.  With FLEET, Joey contributed in building and performing their immersive show, “Monomyth,” as well as their work shown at 801 Salon.  He also presented his solo show, “Where Love Lived First,” at Burnswood Studio, which explored Dr. Kübler-Ross’ “Stages of Grief" and how they manifest in the body.

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Before his time with FLEET, Joey apprenticed with SALT Contemporary Dance for their 2021-2022 season. During this time, he had the pleasure of performing in SALT’s Fall and Spring shows as well as facilitating lecture demonstrations at elementary schools in Salt Lake County.

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As a freelance artist, Joey has performed both internationally and across the US. He has performed at Dock 11, New Prague Dance Festival, RAD Dance Festival, and Breaking Ground. In Salt Lake, Joey performed in “reBloom,” which was choreographed by Jessica Baynes and funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. He has also performed in multiple shows sponsored by Repertory Dance Theatre, 801 Salon (his own work), and the LDS Arts Festival.

Joey graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 2021, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in dance. As a student, he was a member of their touring company, Contemporary Dance Theater (CDT), under the direction of Nathan Balser (2018-2019) and then Keely Song (2019-2021). Before CDT, he also was a member of their outreach company, Kinnect, under the direction of Marilyn Berrett and Heather Francis, which integrated movement to teach Utah’s K-6 core curriculum in schools. Joey’s education at BYU took him beyond its campus and in 2018, he performed at Dance and the Child International’s (daCi) conference in Adelaide, Australia with Kinnect. Then, in 2019, he toured with CDT in Germany and the Czech Republic. In addition to his degree, Joey has received technical training through b12, Impulstanz, FLOCK, NVA & Guests, and more.

Between his education and career, Joey has had the honor of performing work by Martha Graham, Antonin Rioche, FLOCK, LAJAMARTIN, Jesse Obremski, Jenn Freeman, Olivier Wevers, Garrett Smith, Shane Urton, Francisco Gella, Meredith Ventura, and Joni McDonald.

ARABIAN- LILLIE, 16

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My most memorable Nutcracker experience was my very first year as a lead. I’ve always loved fight scene and I was really excited to get the role as mouse queen last year. I really loved my group of mice and getting to know them was probably my favorite part. I love all of them so so much and honestly the new friends I made are so much better than the lead itself.

The thing I’m most looking forward to this year is being with my friends and dancers and being part of a magical experience. I’m also very excited to be in a new scene that I have not done yet. I’m so excited to evolve friendships and gain new friendships. I truly have to give thanks to the staff and faculty who make this production happen.

What I would say to a young MPBT dancer is to never give up on your dreams. People might tell you that you will never be good enough or that you can’t do something, but that doesn’t mean you have to listen. Work harder than you ever have before and let your passion to dance guide you on your way to success.

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MOUSE QUEEN- JOLIE, 12

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Nutcracker is so special to me and it’s one of my favorite times of the year and it also allows me to bond with all my friends. Express myself through dance and entertain the audience!

I have been doing nutcracker for 4 years and I can’t wait to see what this year brings to me. My most memorable nutcracker experience is me being a mini mouse and looking up to all the older girls and wanting to be just like them when I grow up. Now that I am Mouse Queen I can’t believe how much I have grown since then. I am looking forward to having my first lead role in the Nutcracker. I have always loved fight scene and I can’t wait to be in it for a 3rd year. I am also looking forward to getting to spend time with all of my friends during long rehearsals. 

One piece of advice I would give to an up coming MPBT dancer is to always try your hardest and keep going no matter what. Because, everything is possible and you will reach your goal if you try hard enough.

DROSSELMEYER

Jason Neves

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NUTCRACKER

Kyle Richlin

DEW DROP- PAYTON, 14

Nutcracker is sooo important to me because it helps me grow so much as a dancer but also just as a human and it gives me so much personal experience and confidence to connect with people everywhere, it also is super fun and spirited and it’s such a good feeling preparing and performing the nutcracker.

My most memorable nutcracker experience was my first year of Nutcracker.  I was 7 or 8 and was snowdust and a candy cane when it was an acrobatic role. I remember being so excited to go onstage and dance with all the big girls. I remember watching Norah (a MPBT Graduate- now majoring in dance and physical therapy at University of Arizona) as Snow Queen and wanting to be just like her. Paige and I were best friends at the time and she was doing my lipstick and makeup for me before I went onstage for snow scene.  She was the best at it and I will always remember those little moments! 

Something I am really looking forward to this year is performing as dew drop lead with one of my best friends.  I think it will be so much fun and this role will make us both grow so much as dancers and friends! 

One piece of advice I would give to a younger dancer is to just be happy where you are at this moment.  I remember comparing myself to others a lot of times and once I got older I achieved some of the goals I wanted to achieve.  It really just takes a matter of time and it’s all personal too; you can’t compare yourself to others because there’s only one of you and your experience will be super different from others so enjoy it while it lasts!

DEW DROP- EMORY, 14

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Nutcracker is so important to me because it allows me to grow so much as a dancer, and bond with other people. MPBT is such a strong community and I feel so lucky to be a part of it, and it is also such a special opportunity to share dance with the community and perform on stage with my friends.

All of my favorite nutcracker experiences were all of the little things like getting ice cream across the street before long rehearsals, talking to my little buddy, doing makeup in the dressing room, the pointe warm ups before the show- where we would warm up in the isles and in between seats laughing and getting excited. My favorite role in previous years was chef because it was so fun to be on stage with the younger dancers and high five Mother Ginger!

This year I am looking forward to being a Clara's friend because I love being on stage, and I get to act with my friends for the whole scene. I am so excited to see how everything turns out and I'm so happy to start the nutcracker season again!!

A piece of advice that I would give to a younger dancer is to live in the moment and enjoy everything while it lasts, especially nutcracker because it is over so fast and is such a special opportunity. I would also say to always keep working hard to reach your goals because I promise the hard work will pay off in the end.

SPANISH- DANA, 16 

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Nutcracker as a whole is a memorable experience for me, however, my favorite part is warming up on stage with my friends. The anticipation of the performance to come is really exhilarating and messing around before with your friends is a great way to relax. 

This year I am looking forward to challenging myself. By being the Spanish lead I’m getting to try something out of my comfort zone and I’m excited to push myself. 

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One piece of advice I have for an upcoming MPBT dancer is to just enjoy the process. Watching the whole show come together is a really magical sight and it’s so fun to do with friends. 

REED PIPE- BROOKE, 13

REED PIPE- AMBER, 17

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In 2021, I had the opportunity to be Mouse Queen, and even after experiencing all of these seasons of Nutcracker, this one will always be my favorite. It was special because it was my first lead, and a role I had been admiring for a long time. I had such a fun time over the years being on stage for many different scenes, but fight scene will always be a thrilling scene to be apart of. 

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This year I am looking forward to being in the Reed Pipe scene for my second time. Reed Pipe Corps was my first role in the Nutcracker, so it will be a full circle moment! The costumes and music are so beautiful and I look forward to dancing with my co-leads Summer and Brooke. 

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If I had to offer a piece of advice to any young aspiring dancers, it would be that patience and determination goes a long way, and often times, your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Don’t let the pressure of dance take away the magic it has. If you love dancing, it will love you back.  

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Nutcracker is important to me because it’s so special to be able to dance on stage with my friends in a theater as beautiful as the Sunset Center. When everything comes together, the show we put on never fails to amaze me. I am so lucky and grateful to have an amazing program so close to home!

REED PIPE- SUMMER, 16

SERAPHIM- AUDREY, 17

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My favorite Nutcracker memory is when we get closer to the show, and we have long rehearsals at Sunset Center. Even though they’re exhausting, I love hanging out there with my friends who I get closer to every nutcracker. I love waiting in the wings and seeing the magic being produced on stage, there’s no feeling quite like the anticipation of being about to go on stage.

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The thing I’m most excited for this year is that this year is my first tutu role, which is something I’ve been aspiring to have for a long time. The angel scene is so beautiful and I’m so happy to be a lead in it.

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Savor all the moments either way your castmates because it goes by so quick and it’s something you’ll treasure forever. The friends I’ve made through Nutcracker are now some of my best friends. No matter what role you get, you’re going to have so much fun!

SERAPHIM- JANIE MARIE, 17

ANGEL QUEEN- LAUREN, 16

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One of my most memorable Nutcracker moments is when I was a mini mouse in fight scene. I was so excited to be a mischievous little mouse but once it was time to go on stage I freaked out and I refused to go on. I was so scared because it was dark on stage and I thought everyone was a real mouse. 

I am most looking forward to being Angel Queen. I am so excited that I finally get to wear a tutu for my senior year. I have never been a ballet kid and I definitely never thought that would be able to wear a tutu in Nutcracker. I am also so excited to be on stage with my sister Bailey this year. I have been wanting to be in a scene with her since she started Nutcracker. I am so happy that we get to dance together for my senior year.

One piece of advice I would pass down to a young MPBT dancer is to keep dancing. At one point in my life, I really didn’t want to dance anymore, but I am so overly happy that I didn’t quit. Dance has helped me through so many things and gave me an amazing family of people who support me and love the same thing that I do.

When I was a young MPBT dancer I always looked up to the older girls and couldn’t wait to be like them. If I hadn’t continued dancing I wouldn’t be where I am now. 

CANDY CANE, JULIUS, 16

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My most memorable Nutcracker experience was when I was cast and Fritz and Norah Takehara as Clara for two years in a row. By the second year, we had a set routine backstage that we would do right before we entered. This little routine always helped me calm down, and I would always laugh right after, but need to stifle it because I was going on stage.

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I’m most looking forward to being in Finale and Entrada, because although I’ve been a lead before, I’ve never been in these two scenes, and I’m very excited to be in them.

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My advice to an upcoming dancer with MPBT would be to make sure you don’t give up. There are going to be many days when you can’t get the choreo, or it feels like it’s too hard, or it feels like you’ll never be able to clean it. But you can. Because me and many of my friends have been in that same position, and no matter how insurmountable the challenge seems, it works out in the end.

SOLDIER DOLL, ANNA, 16

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My most memorable Nutcracker experience was getting to perform the role of Lead Chinese last year. It was definitely a challenging dance, but it was also super magical to perform my first lead role in the Nutcracker. 

This year, I am looking forward to being a Snowflake again. Snow is definitely one of my favorite scenes in the Nutcracker, as it is so beautiful. I am also looking forward to being a Soldier Doll because I have not been a part of the Party Scene for a couple years.

A piece of advice I have for younger dancers is to never forget why you love dance. Loving dance and enjoying what you do is as important as working hard. Dance and the Nutcracker should be a positive experience, and if you are having fun onstage, then the audience will be smiling too.

I have participated in Nutcracker performances since 2011, and it has always been such a special part of my holiday season. I love performing, and I love getting to share how I have progressed in Ballet over the years on stage. Also, The Nutcracker inspires people to love dance, and I relish being a part of it for that reason too. 

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SOLDIER DOLL- MELISSA, 15

My most memorable Nutcracker experience was dancing one of my first roles as an angel. We wore beautiful gold headpieces accompanied by fluffy wings, which were the star of the costume for me. As we took our places behind the curtains, mist started to fill the stage. Fog machines were transforming the stage into a magical wonderland in the clouds. Then, when I looked down I couldn’t even see my own feet!

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This year, I’m looking forward to my first time in party scene as well as reliving the experience of dancing in snow scene (more fog?).

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One piece of advice I have for upcoming younger MPBT dancers is to dance because you love it. I believe that your love for this art should be the main reason you do it. No matter how many hours you spend learning and perfecting choreography, no matter how many mornings you wake up sore, no matter how many corrections you have to make, no matter how hard it gets to come to rehearsal, the feeling of dancing and finally performing what you’ve worked to the bone to perfect will make it all worth it. 

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Lastly, Nutcracker is so important to me because it’s now one of the few times I get to perform for the community and it lets me grow so much technically and as a person. It also brings some of the best holiday spirit anyone could ask for. It’s really just a wondrous experience that I’m grateful I get to partake in.

BALLERINA DOLL- ABIGAIL, 13

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My most memorable Nutcracker experience is hanging out with my friends backstage and putting on my costume. I love the feeling that I get to know what happens backstage and the audience doesn’t even know. I love talking and laughing with friends and whispering backstage. 

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This year I am most excited for having a new makeup look for Ballerina Dolls. I get have different hair and makeup and I’m really excited for that. I also have a different style of dance I’m doing which is going to be so fun!

A piece of advice I would give to a younger dancer is to keep believing in yourself and do what you want to do. Sometimes I have felt that people want me to do something that I’m not comfortable doing, but I’ve followed my gut I did what i wanted to do. I would say always believe in yourself and others and don’t let anyone tell you that you have to do something you’re not comfortable doing. 

Nutcracker is so important to me because I have been doing it for so many years and it will always have a place in my heart. I also do it because every year I get so excited to know what role I get. Yes, it’s really hard work but it pays off and it makes me so happy!

BALLERINA DOLL- CRYSTAL, 16

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My most memorable Nutcracker experience was last year’s Nutcracker. I was a chef and I got to see how excited the little kids in my scene were to perform. It was great to see how much Nutcracker means to the younger dancers.  This year I am most looking forward to my lead as ballerina doll. I am so excited to bring party scene to life and give the audience a memorable experience.

One thing I would tell an upcoming MPBT dancer is to be excited. The show is so much more fun when everyone is excited to be there and having fun while dancing.  Nutcracker is so important to me because it gives me an opportunity to become a better dancer and brings me closer to my friends.

CHINESE- SABRINA, 12

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I am so excited for this year’s Nutcracker performance. Performing in The Nutcracker is always something I look forward to and I am thrilled to be participating in it again. Nutcracker is my favorite time of the year. When I was 5 years old I went to The Nutcracker for the first time and was mesmerized. I immediately began ballet lessons and participated in the show with MPBT for the first time the next year and have looked forward to participating every year since. 

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I am most looking forward to my first Nutcracker performing en pointe. I love Snow Scene and I cannot wait to be back in it again this year. I love everything about the show, from the rehearsals to the actual performances, the dancing and being with my friends and watching them dance. 

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I would advise younger dancers to enjoy everything about the process from the rehearsals to the shows. You can learn so much from watching everyone and practicing together. 

CHINESE- LULU, 14

CHINESE- CALISTA, 15

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The most memorable nutcracker experience is when I first watched the show in third grade at the sunset center. It was a life-changing experience and I knew from that moment on that I wanted to be one of those big dancers on stage too.

This year, I’m looking forward to seeing my friends do wonderful in their roles. 

One piece of advice I’d give to young dancers is just keep going even if it gets hard, it’s worth it in the end. Nutcracker and MPBT is important to me because it allows me to express myself through movement. The feeling of performing on stage is one unmatched. I also love that I can spend time with my family and friends while doing something we all love.

CHEF- ADELYN, 13

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Nutcracker is so important to me and I love doing it. My most memorable Nutcracker was probably experience last year when I was a mouse and a snowfall. The fight scene is so much fun, and I loved being in the beautiful snow scene. I also enjoyed the after party, and hanging out backstage with the little buddy Ariella. 

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I super am excited that I'm Lead Chef this year and I can't wait to see what this Nutcracker season brings. I am especially looking forward to the Waltz of the Flowers, it is so pretty and graceful.
 
One piece of advice I would give to younger dancers is to not worry if people are progressing faster. Not every flower blooms at the same time. The most important thing is to try your best at class and always have fun.
 
Nutcracker helps me grow, not only as dancer, but also as a person. By participating in Nutcracker I have built lifelong friendships. Nutcracker is so much fun and I can't imagine Christmas without it!

CHEF- ELISABETTA, 10

CHEF- ZOEY, 12

My most memorable Nutcracker experience is when I was 7 years old and found out my roles for the first time in MPBT’s Nutcracker. I am most looking forward to spending time with my friends backstage!

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One piece of advice I have for younger dancers is that you will only succeed if you believe in yourself, and to just live in the moment and enjoy every opportunity you get. Nutcracker is so important to me because it’s something I look forward to every year, and I love the feeling of getting cast lists, practices, costume fittings, studio run-throughs, dress rehearsals, and performances!

I am so honored to be a Lead Chef, Maid, and a Mouse this year!

CHEF- SHEIGHLYN, 15

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This year marks my second Nutcracker performance, and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it again. I absolutely adore the process of learning and collaborating with the cast and had so much fun meeting new people, and hanging out with my friends backstage. I can't wait for those experiences again this year.

To younger MPBT dancers, my advice is to try your hardest to not compare yourself to others. Dance the best you can and be proud of yourself for doing something you love. While improving your ballet technique is important, Nutcracker holds a special place in my heart because of the wonderful community it fosters, and the joy of working together to bring a magical story to life.

CHEF- LEAH, 13

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Nutcracker season is my favorite time of year, and it is filled with so much joy and magic for everyone to experience. Nutcracker is important to me because it has helped me grow so much throughout the years. It allows me to connect with friends and other people around me, along with gaining strength in performing and becoming a better dancer. I am looking forward to having a larger role this year as a chef, and I am also so excited to be able to perform Nutcracker on pointe for the first time, which has always been a dream of mine.

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This will be my third time dancing in the Nutcracker and I am so excited for this year’s show, and all the memories that will be made with it. I remember being a mini toy soldier doll in my first Nutcracker and being so amazed while watching all of the older girls dance. I wanted to be just like them someday, and I can hardly believe how much I’ve grown since then. All of the memories I’ve made from the previous years, like getting so excited for the shows to start, or warming up and getting ready backstage with all of my friends are some things I know I will always remember. The Nutcracker is so special and spirited, and it makes me so happy to know I won’t have to wait much longer for it to come.

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Being ready to perform in the Nutcracker takes lots of practice and hard work, but it is so worth it in the end. Some advice I would give to a younger dancer would be to always try your very best, and never give up. Even though the Nutcracker involves a lot of work and dedication, I promise it will pay off. It is such an amazing opportunity, and you don’t want to miss any second of it! The Nutcracker is such a beautiful and joyful experience that I am so grateful I get to be a part of this performance. 

CHEF- PEARL, 14

The Nutcracker is the most magical time of the year and it is such an amazing experience. This production is so important to me because I get to have an amazing opportunity to grow as a dancer. Not only while physically dancing but also socially.

During Nutcracker season I always find myself making so many new connections with other talented MPBT dancers. One of the most memorable nutcracker experiences for me has to be when I was a little girl. I recall being around 6 years old when I did my first Nutcracker, where I played a present and a little bon bon. I remember being on stage  with all of the older girls that I looked up to so much; wishing I could be them someday. This year, I will have the honor of playing a maid and a chef.

With Nutcracker there are so many things to look forward to, one thing I am most excited for this year is that this will be my first Nutcracker roll on pointe. Pointe has always been a dream of mine and I am so happy that I get to perform on pointe. Being in Nutcracker comes a lot of responsibility, some advice I would give to an incoming MPBT dancer is to really enjoy the moment. I know that the energy can get a little crazy, especially when tech week arrives. But it is important to take it all in and not to take anything for granted. Remember to have fun! 

CHEF- NA'AMA, 13

CHEF- PATRICIA, 12

CHEF- SHAYLA, 12

TBA