A grand finale: A ballet student's reflections on seven years in "The Nutcracker"

Katherine Nettles (H.S. Dance ’21, B.F.A. Dance ’24) was just ten years old when she discovered the UNCSA School of Dance. “I participated in the Festival of NC Dance and loved the training,” she recalls. Nettles went on to attend two summer sessions before auditioning for the high school dance program. Now, one decade since her first introduction to the Fighting Pickles, she celebrates seven years of dancing in the UNCSA "Nutcracker."

As her final UNCSA “Nutcracker” performance and her last semester swiftly approach, Nettles reflects on her meaningful ballet journey:

Laying the groundwork

“My parents put me into everything [when I was little] to see what I liked, and to help develop my motor skills,” says Nettles. She immediately fell in love with dance. “It allowed me to express what I wanted to,” she adds, “and when I started learning variations I really liked the dynamics of it. I liked being able to tell a story without using words.” Nettles, who was born in Guangzhou Province, China, was raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, and began studying at the Greensboro Ballet as a toddler. By the time the Festival of NC Dance brought her to UNCSA, Nettles had been building her skill as a dancer for many years, including performing in “The Nutcracker” with Greensboro Ballet.

A “Nutcracker” aficionado

Nettles has danced many roles in “The Nutcracker” — from her very first year as a soldier to Clara in the 2023 UNCSA production. “I have danced as a gingersnap, marzipan, snow, Clara’s friend, and Columbine (one of the life-size dolls in the party scene),” she says. When UNCSA reimagined “The Nutcracker” as a holiday film in 2020, Nettles was given the opportunity to broaden her dance roster and once again perform with the Greensboro Ballet for their filmed version instead. 

One of her favorite roles remains dancing the flute-filled marzipan divertissement. “I really loved dancing marzipan because it was my first ‘Nutcracker’ role on pointe,” she explains. “That first time on pointe was a big deal.”

Dancing on pointe is also something Nettles looks forward to as she embraces the iconic role of Clara for the first time. “Clara wasn’t on pointe in the previous iteration,” she recalls, “but with Ilya Kozadayev’s choreography, she is.” Kozadayev, a School of Dance faculty member, also expanded Clara’s role in his new 2021 choreography, adding dancing for Clara in Act 2, instead of only in Act 1. “It's so exciting and I didn't realize just how much Clara dances,” she says.

But Nettles is up for the challenge. Not only is she performing as Clara, but she’ll do so from a hometown stage at the Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center in Greensboro as the Stevens Center in Winston-Salem undergoes renovation. “The Tanger Center brings in so many big names and performances,” she says, reflecting on the move to a new location. “It’s an honor to share that stage.” 

As a seasoned “Nutcracker” pro, Nettles offers her best tip for keeping up with the sometimes-hectic production: “Rehearsals are late, until 9:15 p.m. or later, and you have to stay on a schedule in order to get everything done,” she advises. “I’ll eat with my friends so I’m not by myself and I’ll do homework over lunch or dinner breaks.” Sundays are a cherished day off each week, allowing time to rest and reset. Nettles, who continues to live at home while in the undergraduate ballet program, looks forward to rehearsals moving to the Tanger Center after Thanksgiving, which will cut down on her evening commute. 

Takeaways from a decade of UNCSA 

Though Nettles places emphasis on “The Nutcracker,” and for good reason, there have been many other standout performances in her UNCSA career. During Winter Dance of her junior year of high school, she performed in “Wandering On,” a new contemporary ballet by guest artist Stephanie Martinez. “It was the first time I had the opportunity to learn underneath a guest artist and pick up their choreography really quickly,” Nettles recalls. She also remembers with fondness performing Balanchine’s “Serenade,” staged by guest artist Margaret Tracy, and learning Gerald Arpino’s “Viva Vivaldi” under the tutelage of faculty member Angie Sansone.

“I connected a lot with Angie [Sansone] in high school, particularly,” says Nettles. “She taught me how to dance for myself, and about how your artistry tells a story. I connected to this because I express a lot of how I’m feeling through my dance.” And Sansone supported Nettles through her application for the YoungArts National Competition as well. Part of her application included a short dance on film, choreographed by fellow student Margaux Lucas (B.F.A. Dance ’21). “It was the first time I had work created specifically for me,” she says, acknowledging the importance of the moment.

Though Nettles was not selected as a YoungArts recipient, her hard work and dedication to both her art and academics were acknowledged when she was named the Frank H. Kenan Scholar for the 2023-24 academic year. The award covers all of her educational expenses for her final year of undergraduate study at UNCSA. It stipulates that the recipient must maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher; Nettles has nearly a perfect 4.0. In addition to her close-knit ballet faculty, she also credits faculty in the high school academic program and the division of liberal arts for supporting and inspiring her over the years:

“I’ve always had a hard time with my writing,” says Nettles. “But in high school my English teacher Mr. Bo [Bohannon] would help me edit my essays and taught me to become a better writer.” As part of her undergraduate study, Nettles took a walking class with Mike Wakeford, associate professor of history and humanities, which introduced students to the history of the walkable areas near campus. The class inspired her to get outside and walk on her own, picking up nature photography as a hobby. She especially loves exploring Old Salem in Winston-Salem and several public gardens in Greensboro — locations she plans to continue frequenting long after she turns her tassel.

Maintaining local roots

After graduation, Nettles hopes to dance with a company based in Greensboro (she already dances with Triad International Ballet) under a full company contract, which will allow her to stay in North Carolina close to her family. And she’ll certainly return to UNCSA to support the School of Dance — including her brother, Nate Nettles, who is in the high school ballet program. No matter where the road ahead leads, Nettles’ passion and dedication will serve her well for a blossoming, fulfilling career.

by Hannah Callaway

Get the best news, performance and alumni stories from UNCSA.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)(OPENS IN NEW TAB)