Preparatory Dance students will perform at holiday concert

Young dancers in the Preparatory Dance Program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts will perform with the Winston-Salem Symphony during the Fox 8 Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Dancers aged 8 to 13 will perform four scenes from “The Nutcracker” ballet, said Susan Brooker, director of Preparatory Dance. The scenes include “Toy Soldier” from Act I and “Spanish,” “Russian” and “Mother Ginger” from Act II from Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic.

The concert and parking at the coliseum are free with a donation of canned or nonperishable food items for the Salvation Army Food Pantry.

“We’re delighted to support the Winston-Salem Symphony, Fox 8 and the Salvation Army in this annual festivity,” said Dean of Dance Susan Jaffe. “What a thrill for our youngest dancers to perform with outstanding professional musicians for such a large, appreciative crowd!”

UNCSA’s Preparatory Dance Program is a unique opportunity for aspiring dancers to explore the world of dance and hone their budding talents. This after-school, pre-professional training program, which has received national recognition for its excellence, is open to third- through ninth- graders.

While the 25 dancers perform at the coliseum, another 22 of their peers will perform during UNCSA’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” at the Stevens Center.

Performing in the holiday concert are: Cora Vogler and Burt Libby from Advance; Chloe Rogers and Olivia Renegar from Clemmons; Eliza Loy from Greensboro; Aliya Bousmaha, Sadie Evans, Francie Foster and Makenzie Nathan from High Point; Eleanor Faub from Kernersville; Isabella Calhoun, Charlotte Duncan, Juliet Emmerich, Abigail Wildman, Kira Madan, Lee Monroe, Zoe Paris-Carter, Nan Suttle, Emaline Ownby, Audrey Cannon, Emma Kate Monroe, Hayden Wright, Sophie Kanzler and Isabella Ownby from Winston-Salem; and Chloe Webster from Yadkinville.  

by Lauren Whitaker