When they’ve been hand-picked by a professional dancer with The Moscow Ballet, you know they're not just another set of twinkle-toes.
Congratulations to Nicole Salsman, Kyra Meyer, Bailey Moser, Alexis Lang, Kira Bryan, Mackenzie Burns, Jessica Wray, Tea Scheske, Rylee Kidd, Jessica Tomashewski, Neleah Schauenberg, Mackenzie Walter, Autumn Markin, Hunter Shultz, Kiera Scheske, Emily Pearcey and Karina Mellor who auditioned and will now be performing in The Moscow Ballet "The Nutcracker" in Moose Jaw and Regina.
The Moose Jaw Dance Images ballerinas will perform with The Moscow Ballet at Mosaic Place on Nov. 17, and in Regina at the Conexus Arts Centre on Nov. 18.
“On Aug. 20, the girls auditioned at the Regina Applause Dance Academy,” Dance Images instructor, Shauna Bzdel told the Times-Herald. “One of the prima ballerinas (of the Moscow Ballet) selected who she wanted to have cast, and all of our girls made it.”
The ballet has been performed in different varieties since it was written in 1892, but the Moscow Ballet is celebrating its 20th anniversary by performing their version.
Taking influence from the original choreography of the Nutcracker, the ballet has been performed in some of North America’s biggest theatres, and still uses Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s original Nutcracker Suite score.
“its kind of Mosaic Place’s first big cultural performance that we’ve had,” said Crystal Froese, event co-ordinator at Mosaic Place. “We wanted to feature something that’s very seasonal and the Nutcracker fits perfectly.”
“I love dancing and want to do it as a career, and being in ‘The Nutcracker’ will be beneficial and an asset.” 16-year-old Cornerstone student, Karina Mellor said.
For more on this article pick up the next issue of the Times-Herald.
