The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Ballet Students To Dance In Professional Production of Nutcracker

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Four students from the British School of Ballet in Hoosick Falls, NY auditioned for parts in in the Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker Suite; all four girls received parts. More than 200 students from different ballet schools auditioned and about 40 were chosen. 

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The students from Miss Olivia’s who will be performing in The Nutcracker Suite with Albany Berkshire Ballet Company are Ariana Hendricks and Lexie Bull (seated, l to r) and Greta Bitteker and Catherine Bitteker (standing, l to r). Photo courtesy of Olivia Sumerlin
The students from Miss Olivia’s who will be performing in The Nutcracker Suite with Albany Berkshire Ballet Company are Ariana Hendricks and Lexie Bull (seated, l to r) and Greta Bitteker and Catherine Bitteker (standing, l to r). Photo courtesy of Olivia Sumerlin

Lexie Bull, a ten-year-old from Petersburgh will be a party child. Twelve-year-old Ariana Hendricks, also from Petersburgh will be an angel. Nine-year-old Catherine Bitteker and her seven-year-old sister Greta, from Bennington, VT will be polichinellos. All four girls have danced in the Nutcracker before.

This production is put on by The Albany Berkshire Ballet Company. Madeline Culpo Cantarella is the artistic director and owner  of the Cantarella Dance Schools.

“It is the best production of The Nutcracker,” Miss Olivia said, “The scenery and the costumes are so beautiful, as is the Christmas tree that grows like magic.”

“The children dance like little professionals,” she continued, “They get very excited when the time comes for dress rehearsals and performances.”

Miss Olivia’s students are dancing in performances in Pittsfield, MA in the elegantly restored Colonial Theatre. Performances are Saturday, December 5 at 2:30 and 6:30 pm and Sunday, December 6 at 1:30 and 4:30 pm. The ballet company will also be performing in several other cities and states.

If you would like more information on performances or dance classes, please call 518-686-9440. The Miss Olivia’s British School of Ballet offers classes in ballet, Irish step, tap and gymnastics. [/private]