The smell of pine trees, the taste of hot chocolate, the view of winter white snow and the warmth by the fire are a few of the reminders that the holiday season has arrived.  All these help me feel the joyous spirit, yet nothing truly says it's the holiday season like Nutcracker.

Tchaikovsky created some of the world's greatest ballet music and established himself as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic period. His score for Nutcracker is played in malls,  coffee shops, almost anywhere there is holiday music.  The Sugar Plum's solo variation is very popular...No matter how many times I hear it, it reminds me the holidays are here and fills me with the spirit of the season.

Nutcracker's a staple in the life of a ballet dancer and has been a part of my life ever since I walked on the stage as a snow angel at age 6.  Having grown up performing different parts, I know that no role is too small. Every character in the story of the ballet is vital.  Nutcracker has it all: love, laughs, and drama.

The most notable characters are Clara, the Nutcracker, the Rat King and the Sugar Plum Fairy.  After many years, performing all the parts (minus the Nutcracker and Rat King), I have the opportunity of performing American Repertory Ballets's Nutcracker production. If you haven't seen it yet it's one not to be missed.  I dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

"What is it like to dance the role of Sugar Plum Fairy," you ask?
The Sugar Plum Fairy is everything Clara looks up to and is ruler of the Land of the Sweets in Act 2. She has a lovely power and grace and many wonderful moments on the stage.  But even more significant to me is what the role really means....every little girls dream of playing Clara and every Claras dreams of playing the Sugar Plum. When I was Clara, I danced with an amazing dancer that played the role of Drosselmeyer. Last week, this dancer was able to see me perform as the Sugar Plum.

"You're all grown up!" he said, "but will always be my Clara."  It was such an honor and meant so much to have him there and for him to see how I've grown from Clara to Sugar Plum.  It felt like a dream within a dream. It just goes to show how no matter how old we get, we are still young at heart. I hope to touch every little girl in the audience and even every adult through my dancing and share this experience with them.

So come see what this holiday ballet is about;  when you see it, you will know the holidays are here.