Local dancers will perform in Westside Ballet of Santa Monica’s 51st annual Nutcracker this holiday season. (Sarah Madison)
This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.
Fourteen talented Venice and Mar Vista local dancers will take center stage as they gear up to dance in Westside Ballet of Santa Monica’s 51st annual Nutcracker. This holiday classic is something that these dedicated young artists spend months rehearsing for, in addition to working towards the entire year. To be in Westside’s Nutcracker requires the dancers to have excellent classical ballet technique, as well as a keen sense of musicality, commitment to rehearsals during the weekends, and professionalism to be a part of this large and intricate ballet.
Mar Vista resident Charlotte Sachs rehearses Waltz of the Snowflakes during an in-studio dress rehearsal. Photo Credit: Anne SlatteryThe pre-professional company will present nine performances at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica. The dancers will be accompanied by the Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra, a unique addition to a pre-professional production. For eight performances the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier will be danced by New York City Ballet Principals Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia. These international stars are bringing their talents and charisma back to Westide’s production for the second year. On Friday December 6th all lead roles will be dances by the top dancer’s of Westside’s pre-professional company. This night is a chance to see young artists before their talents are launched with professional companies, something that consistently happens with Westside Ballet's top dancers.Gabriella Calderon dancing French Mirliton in Westside’s 2023 Nutcracker. Photo Credit: Anne Slattery
Mar Vista resident Ezra Galambos will be dancing in her ninth Nutcracker at Westside. Ezra started her training with Westside at age five and has made her way through the ranks in Westside’s Nutcracker production. From a little Blue Soldier, to Polichinelles and Peppermints, this year she will be showcased in French Mirlitons, Waltz of the Snowflakes, and Spanish Hot Chocolate. To Ezra, the lessons she has learned in the studio have applied to her life overall. She says, “Ballet has instilled both discipline, time management and fortitude in me and I will use these skills both in pursuing my degree in college and in the rest of my life, whatever career path I choose.”
Antonia Cytrynowicz dances Peppermint Candy in 2023’s Nutcracker production. Photo Credit: Anne SlatteryA senior at Venice High, Ezra has many other passions in addition to her academic work and training at Westside. She enjoys baking and reading, and is the social media manager for her school’s mental health advocacy club. Ezra also helps host the bi-weekly events for the club. Additionally, Ezra is part of Venice High’s Model United Nations team where she competes at a Model UN Conference at USC every spring. This passion has inspired her to pursue a major in Political Science in college and she hopes to have a career in law or journalism. Ezra hopes to pursue these fields she says because, “I hope to effect changes that will better people’s lives and reduce inequity.”Ezra Galambos, a senior at Venice High School World Languages & Global Studies Magnet, is performing her final Nutcracker. Photo Credit: Sarah MadisonCharlotte Sachs, a Junior at Wildwood School will dance in her second Nutcracker with Westside Ballet. Charlotte will be taking on the featured roles, Lead Spanish and Center Chinese. Charlotte is passionate about dance sharing she would like to pursue a career in dance as well as study all forms of dance in college. One of the most rewarding parts of the Nutcracker experience for Charlotte has been the rehearsal process. To her, “Rehearsing any new role can be daunting, however I have found through both independent practice and classes led by my insightful teachers not to doubt myself. I have built endurance, character, and skill and hope that my growth shows on stage.”High School students (Left to Right): Ezra Galambos, Gabriella Calderon, and Charlotte Sachs will all dance featured roles in Westside’s production of The Nutcracker. Photo Credit: Sarah MadisonNine year old Mathilde Guay will dance in her second Nutcracker with Westside this season. Mathilde is in the fourth grade at Richland Avenue Elementary School. This year she will dance as a girl in the Party Scene and last year she was a Blue Soldier in her first Nutcracker. Ballet fits right into Mathilde’s life as she loves music. She plays violin and piano and says that she would play “all day if that was possible.” At her young age the passion for dance and art is apparent as she says that when she gets older she would love to keep dance in her line of work. Ballet at Westside has become a special home for Mathilde. “Dance teaches me how you can be free and happy so when I don’t feel it at school I remember that I will have dance class. I am more disciplined because of dance class,” Mathilde says.Venice resident Heath Olvera plays the naughty Fritz, Clara’s brother in the grand Victorian Party Scene. Photo Credit: Anne SlatteryOther local Mar Vista and Venice dancers in this years’ Nutcracker include:
Gabriella Calderon, an eleventh grade New West student who will be dancing the Doll solo, Lead Spanish pas de deux, as a French Mirlitons, and in the Snowflake Corps.
Antonia Cytrynowicz, a ninth grade New West student will dance Center Chinese and in the dazzling Waltz of the Flowers.
Archer Anderson, a ninth grader at The Archer School for Girls will dance as a member of the Peppermint Candy Corps.
Angelina Di Bari, a ninth grader at Brentwood School will perform in Peppermint Candy Corps.
Kali Solomon, a tenth grader at Venice High School will dance in the Peppermint Candy Corps.
Heath Olvera, a seventh grader at Ocean Charter School will perform the role of Fritz, Clara’s mischievous little brother.
Bridget Cooney (not pictured), an eighth grader at Mark Twain Middle School will perform in the Chinese Tea.
Ella Abramson, a seventh grader at Paul Revere Middle School is performing as a Crystal Bell as well as the Side Chinese Tea.
Alix Weissbecker Kushner, a fifth grade student at Broadway Elementary, will perform as a Party Boy.
Chloe Maurin, a fourth grader student at Le Lycee Francais is a Side Angel in the ethereal opening scene to Act II.
Billie White, a fourth grader at Ocean Charter is a Blue Soldier in the dreamlike and gothic battle scene.
All these young dancers from Mar Vista and Venice will showcase all of their dedication, passion, and joy in this annual holiday classic. This is a show to see young dancers perform before they take their steps in the professional world and to enjoy the iconic Holiday ballet accompanied by a live orchestra playing Tchaikovsky's sweeping score. For tickets and additional details, visit westsideballet.com/nutcracker. Tickets still available for Friday, December 6th 7pm performance at tinyurl.com/12624ballet
This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.
This post is sponsored and contributed by Westside Ballet of Santa Monica, a Patch Brand Partner.
