Santa Monica's Ballet Stars Shine in 52nd Annual Nutcracker: A Legacy of Excellence Meets Next-Generation Talent

SANTA MONICA - When the curtain rises on Westside Ballet's 52nd annual Nutcracker this Thanksgiving weekend, audiences will witness something increasingly rare in American ballet: a true community production elevated to world-class standards.

New York City Ballet principals Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia return as Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier for the November 29-30 performances at The Broad Stage, followed by Los Angeles Ballet company dancer Rony Baseman and Ashley Chung from the LAB-Westside trainee program performing the principal roles December 5-7. But the real story unfolds in the depth of Santa Monica talent sharing the stage with them-from 8-year-olds making their debuts to 18-year-olds taking final bows before prestigious pre-professional programs.

"This year represents a beautiful convergence of legacy and innovation," says Allegra Clegg, Executive Director of Westside School of Ballet and daughter of founder Yvonne Mounsey. "We have 145 dancers on stage-the largest company in our 52-year history-ranging from 8-year-old Karson St. Claire, who came to us through our Dance to Dreams program, to 12-year-old Spencer Collins, who just won the Hope Award at Youth America Grand Prix Finals-the first Westside dancer ever to achieve that honor."

**SANTA MONICA'S TALENT PIPELINE**

The production showcases an impressive roster of Santa Monica residents who exemplify Westside's reputation as a launching pad for professional careers.

Sarah Madison Photography

Santa Monica resident Sophie Wilson prepares to debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy Friday December 6th at 7pm at The Broad Stage

Sophie Wilson, a Crossroads School senior and Santa Monica resident who has trained at Westside since age 4, performs multiple principal roles this year including Snow Queen, Sugarplum Fairy, Dewdrop Fairy, and Lead Spanish. Her training resume reads like a world tour of ballet's most prestigious institutions: School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow (where she was invited to join the year-round program), John Cranko School in Germany, and most recently the Royal Ballet School in London.

Over the years, Sophie has performed many roles in Westside's Nutcracker including Clara, Lead Candy Cane, Mirliton, Center Chinese, and Demi Flowers. Outside of ballet, she volunteers regularly with Free 2 Be Me Dance, a nonprofit that teaches dance to students of all abilities including children with Down Syndrome.

"The combination of grace and grit that ballet requires and that I've learned through my 14 years of training at Westside has taught me numerous lessons that apply to every aspect of my life, especially in school," Sophie says. "I've been taught to never stop trying, never give up, and to work my hardest in everything I do. I particularly enjoy participating in the community performances of Nutcracker because I think it's so incredibly important to share what we do in the studio every day."

Nadia Hofer, also a Crossroads senior, performs the principal roles of Snow Queen and Arabian this year. Having trained at Westside for 11 years, Nadia has attended summer intensives at School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet on merit scholarships. Over the years, she has performed many beloved roles including Clara and Lead Candy Cane.

"Nothing comes easily or fast, I've had to learn patience, dedication and belief in myself," Nadia reflects. "I've learned that you need to be very tough while still allowing yourself to be vulnerable in order to reach the deepest strength and potential you have within. You need tenacity and grace. Dancing, like all things in life, is an ongoing journey."

When not at the studio, Nadia loves English literature and hopes to study it more intensely in college, demonstrating the well-rounded education that Westside dancers maintain alongside their rigorous training schedules.

Sarah Madison Photography

Santa Monica residents & students to perform in "The Nutcracker"; dancers pictured: Soloists: Maya Kurc (Center Chinese), Olivia Moccia (Spanish Center Soloist), Isabelle Choy (Mirliton Center), Riley Slater (Lead Angel), Nadia Hofer (Snow Queen), Gabriella Calderon (Dew Drop Fairy), Sophie Wilson (Sugar Plum Fairy), Bella Shriver (Arabian Solo), Kyler Sziraki (Doll); Spanish dancer: Violette Skye Rice; Peppermint Candy Corps: Ella Williams, Elise DuFour; Russian Side Dancers: Desiree Wells, Evelyn Choy, Hannah Gruenberg, Mariah Young, Mavis Meredith; Chinese side dancers: Katherine Rakuljic, Ines Chavira, Lila Bruno, Zoee Samanta, Julia Enayati, Adelina Stroh; Crystal Bells: Lavinia Allen-Dutton, Liliana Castro, Juliet (Zuzu) Wenneker; Party Children: Aina Joergensen, Skye Strand, Zoe Nakamura; Polichinelles: Beatrice Rosenfeld, Karson St. Claire; Side Angels: Anoushka Mahajan, Audrey Aitkenhead-Otto, Kaya Fleming Cordon, Charlotte Martin, Leela Grace; Snow Fairies: Dakota Nelson, Giuliana Bello Calvo; Mice: Chloe Chu, Hannah Woods, Zion Arnell; Red Soldiers: Linus Badelt, Greta Bruno, Nia Pompey, Selah Cohn; Blue Soldiers: Agnes Hammer, Cassandra Olivas, Colette Flandro, Charlotte Ford, Emma Marconi; not pictured: Iina Coulter-Bracey.

Gabriella Calderon, 18, performs her dream role of Dew Drop Fairy in her final Nutcracker before starting at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet-one of the nation's most prestigious pre-professional programs that has trained dancers who have gone on to New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and major companies worldwide-in January. A Santa Monica resident who began training at Westside at age five, Gabriella has performed in every Nutcracker since 2016, including starring as Clara in 2019.

Currently completing her high school education online to accommodate 15-25 hours of weekly training during Nutcracker season, Gabriella embodies the Olympic-level commitment required for elite ballet training.

**WORLD-CLASS PRODUCTION VALUES**

What distinguishes this production from typical regional Nutcrackers is the commitment to professional-level artistry rarely seen outside major metropolitan opera houses. The Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra-approximately 40 seasoned musicians-performs Tchaikovsky's beloved score live for all nine performances.

"Live orchestral music transforms The Nutcracker from a performance into an event-and frankly, it's something most regional ballet companies simply can't afford to do," says Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Managing Director and Santa Monica-Malibu School District Board member. "The fact that we can offer this to Santa Monica is a direct result of our partnership with Santa Monica College, and it elevates our production to a level you'd typically only find at major metropolitan opera houses."

Tahvildaran-Jesswein, also a Professor of Political Science and co-founder of the Public Policy Institute at Santa Monica College, has been instrumental in building partnerships that make such ambitious productions possible.

The production also features newly enhanced set designs this year, including reimagined backdrops for iconic moments like the growing Christmas tree and the Kingdom of Sweets, along with stunning period costumes for the 145-dancer cast spanning ages 8 to 20.

New this year, the Nutcracker Tea offers an intimate behind-the-scenes experience between Saturday and Sunday performances. Guests enjoy festive high tea with sandwiches and sweet treats, followed by a backstage tour of The Broad Stage and a personal meet-and-greet with Tiler Peck herself-a rare opportunity to connect with one of ballet's brightest stars in an intimate setting.

Sarah Madison Photography

New York City Ballet principals Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia in the 2024 Spring Showcase Finalé. A proud Westside Ballet of Santa Monica alumna, Peck returns this holiday season for the Nutcracker Tea with Tiler Peck-continuing to inspire and encourage the next generation of Westside dancers.

RISING STARS AND NOTABLE DEBUTS

Twelve-year-old Spencer Collins, who in April won the Hope Award at Youth America Grand Prix Finals-the highest distinction of the competition recognizing exceptional artistry, technique, and promise-performs the iconic leaping Toy Soldier role. Already a two-time regional Hope Award recipient and the previous year's YAGP Finals First Place winner, Spencer is the first Westside Ballet dancer to receive the competition's top honor.

"Spencer winning the Hope Award-that's a historic moment for Westside Ballet," says Adrian Blake Mitchell, Associate Executive Director and former Mikhailovsky Theatre Ballet principal. "It puts us on the map alongside the most prestigious ballet schools in the world. But what I'm most proud of is how Spencer has stayed humble and hungry. He works harder now than before YAGP. That's the mindset that will take him all the way to a professional career."

Mitchell, himself a Westside alumnus who returned to Santa Monica in 2022 after fleeing Russia following the Ukrainian invasion, has been Spencer's primary coach for three years and leads the company's acclaimed boys program.

**YOUNGER SANTA MONICA TALENT**

Among the production's youngest stars, eight-year-old Karson St. Claire makes her Nutcracker debut as Polichinelle after being discovered through Dance to Dreams, a week-long summer intensive for underserved communities founded by Mitchell in 2022. "This year, I learned to raise my leg higher and hold it longer in a 360. I continue to practice every single day and continue becoming a stronger dancer," Karson says, demonstrating the dedication that characterizes even Westside's youngest performers.

Seven-year-old Dakota Nelson, a second-grader at Roosevelt Elementary performing Blue Soldier and Snow Fairy in her first Nutcracker, captures the magic of the production: "When Clara held onto my shoulder, it felt like the Nutcracker was real and I was saving Clara. I felt very overjoyed and it was very very very fun, and I was also very proud because I was the one person who she held onto."

Kyler Ogawa Sziraki, 14, a Santa Monica resident and freshman Honors student at Windward School, performs as the Wind Up Doll, Center Chinese, and in the Waltz of the Flowers corps. Now in her ninth year at Westside, Kyler starred as Clara in the company's 50th anniversary production and has trained at San Francisco Ballet's summer intensive.

Sarah Madison Photography

Crossroads senior Nadia Hofer, a Westside student for 11 years, prepares her final bow, dancing in the principal roles of Snow Queen and Arabian.

"Ballet has been a form of expression through movement for me," Kyler reflects. "Whether it's during a performance or in class, this art form allows me to convey my emotions without explicitly saying them out loud. These performances have taught me values such as grit and perseverance while also maintaining the qualities of grace that ballerinas need to possess. Westside Ballet has always been like a second home to me where I can always feel a sense of community."

Kyler maintains her position on Windward's Dean's List while dancing with the school's dance company under established choreographers including Seda Aybay, Juliette Martinez, and Sophia Oddi.

Other notable Santa Monica dancers include Isabelle Choy, 14, performing Lead Mirliton and Lead Spanish; Maya Kurc, 13, performing Center Chinese; Violette Rice, 14, performing Lead Candy Cane; Elise DuFour, 14, performing Maid and Peppermint; Lila Bruno, 13, performing Side Chinese; and Camille Takessian, 13, performing Chinese and Crystal Bell in her first year on pointe.

**LEGACY AND ACCESSIBILITY**

Founded in 1973 by Yvonne Mounsey (New York City Ballet principal under George Balanchine) and Rosemary Valaire (Royal Ballet), Westside Ballet has maintained a non-audition policy for over 50 years. Anyone can walk through the door and start training-a philosophy that has produced professional dancers now performing with New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and companies worldwide.

That accessibility extends to performances. Despite featuring NYCB principals, a live symphony orchestra, and newly commissioned sets, tickets remain affordable at $66.50. The company also provides approximately 1,000 free seats to Title I elementary students from Santa Monica-Malibu and Los Angeles Unified School Districts through special Wednesday matinee performances of an abbreviated Nutcracker Suite, introducing many children to classical ballet for the first time.

"In a city like Santa Monica that values both arts and education, this production represents what happens when institutions come together to create something larger than any one of us could achieve alone," Tahvildaran-Jesswein says. "That's the kind of cultural investment that defines a community-and that's why this tradition has endured for 52 years."

**TILER PECK'S MEANINGFUL RETURN**

Anne Slattery

Bella Shriver of Santa Monica rehearses with resident professional dancer Evan Swenson in the iconic Arabian Coffee pas de deux.

For Tiler Peck, returning to perform at Westside represents a meaningful homecoming. The NYCB principal, currently featured in Amazon Prime's ballet series "Étoile," trained in these same Santa Monica studios under Mounsey before her career took her to New York City Ballet, Broadway, and Hollywood.

"It was an honor to perform as the Sugar Plum fairy for Westside Ballet's Nutcracker," Peck says. "Yvonne Mounsey and her school had a tremendous impact on my training and it was wonderful to share the stage with her students and carry on her legacy. I know Yvonne would have been so happy to see so many of her alumni returning to inspire the next generation."

**A SANTA MONICA INSTITUTION**

Artistic Director Martine Harley, herself a Westside alumna and former Houston Ballet principal who took over leadership in 2013, oversees the production's artistic vision with a deep understanding of both the company's legacy and its future.

"This year's Nutcracker showcases what we do best-developing young dancers at the highest level while keeping ballet accessible to our community," Harley says. "We have 145 dancers on stage, the largest cast in our 52-year history, and every one of them represents hours of dedication and training. When you add world-class artists like Tiler and Roman, plus a live symphony orchestra, you're seeing something truly special."

The production runs Thanksgiving weekend (November 29-30) with Peck and Mejia performing at 1pm and 5pm, then continues December 5-7 with Los Angeles Ballet company dancer Rony Baseman and Ashley Chung, a developing talent from the joint LAB-Westside trainee program, in the principal roles.

New this year: the Nutcracker Tea, offering an intimate experience with high tea, behind-the-scenes tours, and a personal meet-and-greet with Tiler Peck herself, taking place between Saturday and Sunday performances.

As Southern California's longest-running Nutcracker enters its 52nd year, it continues to prove that world-class ballet and community accessibility aren't mutually exclusive-they're essential partners in building the art form's future, one generation of Santa Monica dancers at a time.

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**IF YOU GO**

Westside Ballet's 52nd Annual Nutcracker

November 29-30: 1pm & 5pm (with Tiler Peck & Roman Mejia)

December 5-7: Friday 7pm; Saturday & Sunday 1pm & 5pm

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica

Tickets: $66.50 | Nutcracker Tea (with Tiler Peck): $196.50

Info: westsideballet.com/nutcracker

Note: The Thanksgiving weekend (Nov 29-30) is sold out online, though tickets may be available at the door. Nutcracker Tea tickets are still available for both Saturday and Sunday of the first weekend. The second weekend (Dec 5-7) has limited availability but tickets will be opened up at the door. Tickets still available for Friday night, December 5th at 7pm.

Student Matinee: Wednesday, December 4 at 10am & 1pm for SMMUSD and LAUSD students (private performances)

Community Preview: Thursday, December 5 at 7pm - complimentary performance for veterans and local nonprofit partners