Because of the Moscow Ballet’s ‘Dance with Us’ program, young dancers in the area will have the opportunity to perform in the “Great Russian Nutcracker” Friday, Nov. 20 and Sunday, Nov. 22 at SMU’s McFarlin Auditorium.
Moscow Ballet Audition Directors recently held local auditions at London School of Dance in Garland and Toby’s School of Dance in Richardson. Students had to have one year of ballet training to participate.
Roles for the young dancers include party children, mice, snowflakes and more and they are grateful to have a chance to perform with professional dancers.
London School of Dance has 35 students who are thrilled to have been selected. Three of the young women took time out of rehearsal to talk about the experience.
Katie-Beth, Damaris and Isabella have all danced in “The Great Russian Nutcracker” in past years and are happy to be performing with the professional dancers again.
Isabella has been taking dance since she was 2-years-old and said that she loves to be able to feel the music which is what draws her to dance.
Damaris has performed in “The Great Russian Nutcracker” three times and has taken dance at London School of Dance for five years.
“Ballet lets you express how you feel inside,” she said.
Each communicated a passion for dance and said that they are always excited to go to class.
“I love the fact that you are onstage all dancing together,” Katie-Beth said. “It’s amazing how the dancers are able to tell the story and show their feelings with their facial expressions.”
They shared that even though they are nervous while waiting in the wings, the fear disappears when they get on stage.
Isabella added that she loves having Miss Gwen and Miss Misty as her teachers.
Younger students Gabriella, Esther, Caitlyn and Sienna agreed said that the auditions were a little difficult but they are excited to have roles as Snowflakes.
The children’s dances are choreographed by the Moscow Ballet Company director. They are then taught to teachers in participating tour cities by a company ballerina. Owens, as co-coordinator with Toby McPheeters and three other teachers train the children’s cast. They must be fully prepared when the company arrives in Dallas on the day of the first performance because they will only have one rehearsal with the professional dancers before the show.
Miraculously it works! Owens said she never ceases to be amazed at how well the children perform and rise to the challenge.
“It’s especially gratifying that these aspiring ballerinas come from 20 studios in and around the Dallas area, yet they are all able to work together,” she said. “There is no competition between them. It’s all very friendly with a fun atmosphere and many find new friendships. All are linked together by a love for ballet.
Owens said that she never gets tired of seeing the joy in the students’ faces and the sense of accomplishment that the inspirational experience brings.
The 2016 recital will commemorate and celebrate the London School of Dance 50th season..
About London School of Dance: The studio was established in 1966 by Gwen Owens and continues the tradition of excellence with second-generation co-director Misty Owens and her New York City dance expertise. With 48 years of experience the studio is proud of the outstanding faculty and is dedicated to bringing the finest dance training to area children.
About Toby’s School of Dance: Toby McPheeters is the owner, director and teacher and has owned and operated the studio for the last 54 years. The result of proper ballet training is a beautiful, strong, and healthy body, which includes the development of good posture, grace and poise.
About Dance with Us: This program offers student dancers personal exposure to Moscow Ballet’s highly skilled dancers and experience with a professional performance, a unique opportunity for students in smaller markets. Dance with Us Audition Directors travel to 70+ North American cities in September and October auditioning and rehearsing local children. Program is underwritten by Moscow Ballet. Click for more.
About Moscow Ballet: For more than 20 years the company has featured award-winning and rising star dancers, from Lilia Sabitova in 1994 to Alisa Voronova in 2014. The company performs 100 North American engagements annually. The company’s mission and national platform enables it to share the Russian Vaganova ballet training with 5,000+ American dance students annually in Dance with Us.