Experience the magic: Xavier Cacanindin stars in the timeless 'Nutcracker' ballet

For most dancers, the journey begins with a spark — something that ignites a lifelong passion for the art form. For Xavier Cacanindin, a high school senior in the ballet concentration at UNCSA, that moment came when he was just five years old, watching his twin sister perform a tap dance on stage. That glimpse of joy and freedom in movement drew him in and led him toward the world of ballet. 

"I just thought, ‘Oh, that looks like so much fun, I want to be dancing like that,’" Cacanindin recalls, describing the instant he knew he wanted to dance. Little did he know that this initial interest would lead him to the role of the Nutcracker Prince, one of the most iconic roles in the holiday production of “The Nutcracker,” a nearly 60-year tradition at UNCSA.

A love for ballet runs in the family

A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Cacanindin’s passion for dance grew in part by being able to practice and train with his sisters. Both his older sister, Ida (H.S. '23), and twin sister, Liv, are deeply involved in dance, and both chose to study at UNCSA before he joined them. Following in their footsteps seemed natural for Cacanindin, who came to the school in search of more intensive training. 

"My older sister came here before my twin, and they both really loved their experience," he explains. "Back home, I felt like I needed a change, and I needed more intensive training, so I decided to transfer to UNCSA."

Cacanindin believes having family at the school and in the same discipline has been a huge benefit. The three have collaborated frequently and, this year, he has been able to rehearse sequences like the Grand Pas with his twin, an experience Cacanindin describes as both rewarding and familiar. 

"We both know how the other works, and we know that we can encourage and tell each other things to help improve," Cacanindin says.

Preparing for a beloved role: the Nutcracker Prince

As Cacanindin enters his senior year, his involvement in “The Nutcracker” takes center stage — literally. This year, Cacanindin will be playing the Nutcracker Prince, a role he first tackled in 2023 and immediately fell in love with.

I thought it was such an amazing role. It requires a lot of energy, and I love the acting in it. The dancing, especially in the Flowers scene, is so beautiful.

Xavier Cacanindin on dancing the Nutcracker Prince

"I thought it was such an amazing role," he says. "It requires a lot of energy, and I love the acting in it. The dancing, especially in the Flowers scene, is so beautiful."

Though this isn’t the only role he has had in “The Nutcracker” — he also performed the Marzipan dance last year and will be featured in Trepak this year — playing the Nutcracker Prince offers Cacanindin a unique challenge and joy. It’s a role that allows him to showcase both his technical skills and his love of storytelling.

Learning through performance

Participating in a fully produced ballet like “The Nutcracker” is an essential part of Cacanindin’s education at UNCSA. For him, it’s not just about mastering the choreography of Dance faculty member Ilya Kozadayev, but also about learning to navigate the complexities of being part of a large production.

“Getting to perform in a full-length ballet teaches you to really learn other parts,” Cacanindin explains. “I think that’s an important part of the dance business, to be engaged with other people that are performing other roles, even though you're not actively doing it.”

Aside from the artistic and teamwork aspects of performing, the production schedule brings challenges that help Cacanindin and his classmates get ready for the professional world.

“It’s really helpful preparation to learn how to balance multiple things,” he says, referring to the demands of balancing academic work with rehearsals and performances. His advice to younger students entering this world of high expectations is simple: “Don’t get too worked up.” 

Cacanindin shares that learning how to manage time is one of the most critical skills for success, in both school and in professional settings. He’s discovered small tricks to help balance the demands of academics and performance, like doing homework during breaks in rehearsals or keeping calm when the pressure mounts.

Cacanindin has had incredible mentors and peers to help him learn these lessons. He credits ballet faculty member Misha Tchoupakov with showing him the depth of ballet as an art form. “He has shown me that it’s much more than just the movement or the exercise,” Cacanindin explains. “It’s how you present yourself and how you work in class that’s really important.” 

Additionally, Cacanindin thanks choreographer Kozadayev for his encouragement throughout the rehearsal and training process. "I would like to thank Ilya for pushing me every day and helping me become a stronger and smarter dancer," he says.

Inspiration has also come from Cacanindin’s peers, like alumnus Karl Pil, who achieved remarkable progress through hard work, despite beginning ballet at a significantly later age than most. Pil demonstrated to Cacanindin the power of dedication and reinforced the idea that hard work can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

A Nutcracker for the ages

As Cacanindin prepares to take the stage as the Nutcracker in this year’s production, his enthusiasm for the role and for ballet shines through. His favorite moment in the entire ballet? Watching the Snow Scene.

"It’s just so beautiful," he says. "The costumes, the lighting, the snow falling down — it’s really nice to look at." 

But when it comes to performing, Cacanindin loves the Flowers scene most of all. "It’s a lot of dancing, but it’s really fun," he says. "It’s fun to dance like a flower sometimes. " 

Looking forward to a professional career

As his time at UNCSA draws to a close, Cacanindin is already looking ahead for his next steps. He hopes to continue his ballet training and secure a traineeship or an apprenticeship with a professional company, ideally staying on the east coast of the U.S. However, Europe is also a strong possibility – Cacanidin’s mother is German and he’s fluent in the language.

Regardless of where he lands, Cacanindin plans to continue his academic pursuits as well, aiming to enroll in an online business program through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). 

"It’s a really good program, and it’s fully online, so I can always do that on the side," he says. 

With his passion for dance, deep family connections and the valuable lessons he’s learned at UNCSA, Cacanindin is poised for success in whatever comes next. For now, he’s focused on giving his all in “The Nutcracker,” embodying grace, strength and energy.

For audiences watching the UNCSA production this season, Cacanindin’s portrayal of the Nutcracker will undoubtedly be a performance to remember.

by Melissa Upton-Julio

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