Nutcracker 2023 Feature of "Snow Queen"

 Another year of watching our favorite ballerinas perform in the Nutcracker. This year, Matt and I also joined our girls on stage as party parents (a voluntold position we knew eventually would happen.) What a different perspective watching from the "wings" vs audience. You have injured dancers crying before performances then run out to the stage with a beautiful smile as they flawlessly dance their hearts out. How ignorant I was of the emotions, stress, nausea, and critical teachers lambasting them right beforehand. These girls shine and thrive off of it. When the final curtains close, the dancers all cry and hold onto each other with smiles and unleashed emotions. I asked the director if this is normal, and she says, "They do this every year." 

This was Rachael's final performance, at least as a student. She auditioned and landed the role of Snow Queen. Lucky for her, this year they chose to feature this character  which included a pas de deux with a Snow King. Though Rachael has done workshops with partner dancing, she has never performed one until now. Of course, I'm biased but it was beautiful! High praises given by several professional dancers and the audience that enjoyed the show.

Jillian was chosen to dance as a Spanish Princess. She has amazing flexibility and showmen ship as she performed her role. She did some acting as one of Clara's friends on stage with Drosselmeyer. (So we were actually on stage together.) Jillian danced in Snow and Waltz of the Flowers.

Here are the beautiful pics: