Local Santa Monica Dancers Shine in Westside Ballet's 51st Nutcracker

The magic of the holidays returns to The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage as Westside Ballet of Santa Monica presents its 51st annual production of The Nutcracker from November 30 to December 8. This cherished holiday tradition, Southern California's longest-running Nutcracker, features more than 130 pre-professional student dancers bringing 236 stunning costumes to life, accompanied by the live Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra. Included are a remarkable 37 Santa Monica residents.

Among the local talent are two advanced level performers: Isabelle Choy, a sophomore at Windward School, and Violette Rice, a ninth-grader at Notre Dame Academy.

Isabelle will reprise her roles as Lead Peppermint and Lead Chinese, adding her artistry to the Spanish and Snow Corps ensembles. Reflecting on her Nutcracker journey, Isabelle says, "Performing in the Nutcracker is an experience that maintains a special place in my heart, as the world you enter on stage is uniquely filled with beauty, grace, and strength. The choreography, music, costumes, and sets come together to create the true charm of Nutcracker, and I love being part of the joy it spreads." She also values how the tradition lets her measure her growth as a dancer, adding, "I enjoy the challenge of making my repertoire better each year."

Sarah Madison

Tenth grade student Isabelle Choy will dance the lead Candy Cane in the Land of the Sweets, Act 2.

Sarah Madison

Crossroads student Sophie Wilson dances as a French Mirliton in this year's Nutcracker.

Violette, who has danced at Westside since she was seven, will debut as Lead Chinese while performing in the iconic Waltz of the Flowers. She shared, "The ideologies that ballet holds are ones that remain prevalent in my day-to-day life. The constant improvement integral to ballet has helped me develop an incredible work ethic and problem-solving skills. It's about finding new ways to approach challenges, whether in dance or life." Violette also notes how rehearsals bring a magical sense of transformation, saying, "Tech week is always a favorite-it's when all our hard work transforms into something magical on stage."

The Santa Monica contingent also includes dancers as young as nine, portraying classic characters like Angels, Mice, and Soldiers. These young performers bring youthful enthusiasm to a cherished holiday tradition that unites generations of families and audiences.

Spotlight on Santa Monica Dancers

This year's production highlights the unique journeys and talents of its dancers, each contributing their own spark to the festive magic.

Sarah Madison

36 of the 130 student pre-professional dancers who perform in Westside Ballet of Santa Monica's 51st Nutcracker are Santa Monica residents: (Left to Right) Back: Evelyn Choy, Mavis Meredith, Violette Marie Rice, Emery DelaBarre, Mariah Young, Riley Slater, Sophie Wilson, Isabelle Choy, Lina Coulter-Bracey, Maya Kurc, Elise DuFour, Ella Williams, Kyler Sziraki, Lydia Morgan Gyer, Zion Arnell, Natalie Vicuna, and Hannah Woods; Middle: Ines Chavira, Lila Bruno, Desiree Wells, Hannah Gruenberg, and Camille Takessian. Front: Greta Bruno, Beatrice Rosenfeld, Zuzu Wenneker, Noa Kim, Adelina Stroh, Julia Enayati, Zoee Samanta, Kaya Fleming Cordon, Lavinia Allen Dutton, Skye Strand, and Ruby Johnson

- Natalie Vicuna, 9, will perform as an Angel in her first Nutcracker. She loves ballet, swimming, and soccer, and is excited to make her debut on stage, saying, "It will look like we are floating on clouds."

- Hannah Woods, 9, is returning for her second Nutcracker as an Angel. A Girl Scout and top swim team performer, she cherishes the camaraderie of rehearsals and performing for friends and family.

- Ruby Johnson, 12, brings her lively spirit to the production as a Polichinelle and Mouse. Ruby enjoys jazz dance and looks forward to sharing the stage with her peers.

- Evelyn Choy, 12, Isabelle's sister, shines in her role as Side Chinese. A dedicated dancer since the age of four, Evelyn finds ballet has taught her self-correction and perseverance-skills she applies to her academic pursuits.

- Lila Bruno, 12, will dance as a Crystal Bell. Lila is thrilled to continue the Nutcracker tradition, recalling, "It feels magical to perform on stage and share the experience with friends."

- Elise DuFour, 13, showcases her talent as a Russian Dancer and Peppermint Candy Corps member. Outside of ballet, Elise enjoys babysitting and playing the harp. She reflects, "The music reminds me of prior performances and brings back fond memories."

- Maya Kurc, 13, will perform as Side Russian and Side Peppermints. A dedicated student and dancer, Maya is inspired by sharing the stage with professionals like Tiler Peck, saying, "Her artistry was unbelievable and inspired me to work harder."

Returning Stars and Alumni Shine

Sarah Madison

Snow Scene from Westside's 2023 production of The Nutcracker.

Headlining this year's production for eight shows are Westside Ballet alumna Tiler Peck, a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, and her fellow NYCB principal Roman Mejia. The dynamic pair will perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, inspiring the next generation of dancers with their artistry and dedication. Joining them are other illustrious alumni, including Adrian Blake Mitchell, Lucia Connolly, and Broadway star Lyrica Woodruff, whose diverse careers highlight the lasting impact of Westside Ballet's rigorous training.

This year's production also features stunning new scenic designs, enhanced by Tchaikovsky's iconic score performed live by the Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra. With its mix of professional-caliber performances and fresh artistic elements, Westside Ballet continues to set the standard for pre-professional ballet companies.

A Community Touchstone

Sarah Madison

Photo 1- 36 of the 130 student pre-professional dancers who perform in Westside Ballet of Santa Monica's 51st Nutcracker are Santa Monica residents: (Left to Right) Back: Evelyn Choy, Mavis Meredith, Violette Marie Rice, Emery DelaBarre, Mariah Young, Riley Slater, Sophie Wilson, Isabelle Choy, Lina Coulter-Bracey, Maya Kurc, Elise DuFour, Ella Williams, Kyler Sziraki, Lydia Morgan Gyer, Zion Arnell, Natalie Vicuna, and Hannah Woods; Middle: Ines Chavira, Lila Bruno, Desiree Wells, Hannah Gruenberg, and Camille Takessian. Front: Greta Bruno, Beatrice Rosenfeld, Zuzu Wenneker, Noa Kim, Adelina Stroh, Julia Enayati, Zoee Samanta, Kaya Fleming Cordon, Lavinia Allen Dutton, Skye Strand, and Ruby Johnson. Photo Credit: Sarah Madison 

Beyond the public performances, Westside Ballet remains deeply rooted in community engagement. Two special matinee showcases on December 4 will introduce nearly 1,000 local students to the magic of live classical dance, while a complimentary evening performance on December 5 will welcome veterans and members of local charities.

For tickets and additional details, visit westsideballet.com/nutcracker.