Meet some of the cast of BalletCNJ's Winter Performance! (Part III)
(PART III)
Our students are hard at work preparing for BalletCNJ 's Annual Winter Performance!
Dancers ranging from Young Dancer Division to Daytime Professional Training Program will be showcased in two performances on Saturday, December 7th, 2019 at Villa Victoria Academy Theater in Ewing, NJ. They will be performing in two festive works: Ashton's "Les Patineurs" (The Skaters) and "The Nutcracker".
BalletCNJ would like to give the opportunity for fans to get to know some of their favorite BalletCNJ performers. Please join us in support of these amazing young artists as they pour their heart and talent onto the Winter Performance stage! www.balletcnj.org/performances
Lets Meet BalletCNJ's Stars..
Nadia Espinoza (Age 14)
(Ballet V and Professional Division Student)
The Pennington School
How long have you been dancing?
"11 years"
What role(s) will you be dancing in BalletCNJ's Winter Performance?
"Purple Girl in Les Patineurs and Snow Queen, a Snowflake, and Dewdrop in The Nutcracker"
What excites you most about performing?
"The stage, the lights, and the gorgeous costumes!"
Favorite Holiday Season tradition?
"Going ice skating in Bryant Park with friends"
Any pre-performance superstitions/rituals?
"Listening to music and wearing pineapple accessories for fun"
Favorite professional ballet dancer?
"Isabella Boylston, principal with ABT"
Favorite ballet?
"Balanchine's Jewels"
Any words of advice for other aspiring young dancers?
"Work hard and stretch from a young age!"
Timothy O'Brian (Age 14)
(Ballet IV and Daytime Professional Training Program)
Home-schooled (Laurel Springs School)
How long have you been dancing?
"4 years"
What role(s) will you be dancing in BalletCNJ's Winter Performance?
"Red Corps in Les Patineurs and Arabian Lead in The Nutcracker"
Favorite Holiday Season tradition?
"Baking with my mom, I like to cook!"
Favorite Ballet?
"Giselle"
What do you want to be when you get older?
"A professional ballet dancer"
Favorite professional ballet dancer?
"Shale Wagman"
Any pre-performance superstitions/rituals?
"Wearing pineapples bring good luck!"
Any words of advice for other young aspiring dancers?
"Have patience, it takes time to become a better dancer"
Reed Henry (Age 15)
(Ballet V and Daytime Professional Training Program)
Home-schooled (Laurel Springs School)
How long have you been dancing?
"7 years"
What role(s) will you be dancing in BalletCNJ's Winter Performance?
"Green Boy and Red Corps in Les Patineurs and Sugarplum's Cavalier in The Nutcracker"
Favorite Holiday Season tradition?
"I like doing Secret Santa with my family"
Do you get nervous before a performance?
"I used to get very nervous, but now i'm a little more chill before I go onstage"
Favorite professional ballet dancer?
"David Hallberg"
Favorite ballet company?
"San Francisco Ballet"
Favorite Food?
"Grilled Cheese"
Any words of advice for other young aspiring dancers?
"Start stretching!"
Isabella Wilf (Age 16)
(Ballet IV/Dancer Division)
Robbinsville High School
How long have you been dancing?
"Since I was 3"
What role(s) will you be dancing in BalletCNJ's Winter Performance?
"Red Corps in Les Patineurs and a snowflake, flower and Russian Candy cane in The Nutcracker"
What excites you most about performing?
"Getting to play a character"
Favorite Holiday Season tradition?
"Decorating the Christmas tree!"
Do you have any hobbies other than ballet?
"MMA and I like to draw"
Favorite professional ballet dancer?
"Alessandra Ferri or Paloma Herrera"
Favorite ballet?
"Coppelia"
Any words of advice for other aspiring young dancers?
"Focus on the details!"
Emma Berman (Age 17)
Ballet V and Professional Division
Robbinsville High School
How long have you been dancing?
"15 years"
What role(s) will you be dancing in BalletCNJ's Winter Performance?
"Peach Girl in Les Patineurs and a Snowflake, Purple Flower, and Lead Marzipan in The Nutcracker"
What excites you most about performing?
"Getting to dance in front of an audience"
Favorite ballet?
"Romeo and Juliet"
Do you get nervous before you perform onstage?
"Sometimes..."
Favorite food?
"Ice cream"
Any words of advice for other aspiring young dancers?
"Work hard!"
Jeanette Smith (Age 17)
(Ballet V/Dancer Division)
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
How long have you been dancing?
"15 years"
What role(s) are you dancing in BalletCNJ's Winter Performance?
"White Couple in Les Patineurs and Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker"
What excites you most about performing?
"Being able to show my friends and family something that I love and have worked hard on"
Favorite Holiday Season tradition?
"Baking cookies with my family"
What do you want to be when you grow up?
"Successful!"
Any pre-performance superstitions/rituals?
"Shake out the nerves and take a deep breath"
Favorite professional ballet dancer?
"Marianela Nunez, principal of the Royal Ballet"
Favorite ballet?
"Le Corsaire"
Any words of advice for other aspiring young dancers?
"Keep reminding yourself to stay focused and it will become a habit. A long attention span helps with more than just dance!"
Audrey Gellman (17)
(Ballet V and Daytime Professional Training Program)
Home-schooled (University of Nebraska HS)
How long have you been dancing?
"15 years"
What role(s) will you be dancing in BalletCNJ's Winter Performance?
"Purple Girl in Les Patineurs and Purple Flower, Arabian Lead and Snow Queen in The Nutcracker"
What excites you most about performing?
"The adrenaline when I get onstage"
Favorite Holiday Season tradition?
"I love when my family gets together and we all cook holiday meals"
What do you want to be when you grow up?
" I am working towards becoming a professional dancer, following which I could see myself as a nutritionist. "
Any pre-performance superstitions/rituals?
"I'm not superstitious but I make sure I'm prepared and get a good night's sleep the night before."
Favorite professional ballet dancer?
"Nikisha Fogo"
Favorite ballet company?
"Dutch National Ballet"
Favorite ballet?
"Manon"
Any words of advice for other aspiring young dancers?
"Just keep working hard!"
We wish these Young Artists the best of luck as they take the stage in the BalletCNJ Winter Performance 2019! To purchase tickets visit www.balletcnj.org/performances