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Long before the first hard frost, the first Christmas card, or even the first seasonal TV advertisement, the “Claras,” “Fritzes” and “cherubs” of the world settled in for a long winter’s work.
Months before they graced the stage, the 3-to-17-year-old group of Winchester youngsters who participated in the Winchester Ballet Conservatory’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” began rigorous rehearsals before Halloween.
While their classmates counted their candy, they counted their dance steps.
While their classmates patted their bellies the week of Thanksgiving, they patted each other’s backs as they learned each new sequence.
And while their classmates, parents and community watched with approval, they delivered another spirited performance of the classic ballet at Winchester High School Saturday night.
“It went wonderful. I’m so proud of my students,” said Isil Avci, director of the conservatory. “They’ve been practicing since the end of October for four to five days per week.”
For Avci, who has directed the show for eight years, the most touching aspect is watching the transformation, literally and figuratively, of her students from butterflies to leading roles.
“I have students who at four or five years old were butterflies or sugar plums, who now are the leads of the play,” she said. “Every year, they move up to a bigger role, and it’s amazing to see how much they improve over the years.”
‘Clara-fication’
This year, Winchester residents Maggie Barrett and Grace Ashby Pelosky danced the title role of Clara. Barrett is a sixth-grader at St. Joseph School in Wakefield, while Pelosky attends the fourth grade at the Ambrose Elementary School.
Also back for the show, for an unprecedented ninth turn, was the Larkin family — Kyra and parents Kim and Robert — all of whom have appeared in the show for the past nine years.
“Kyra started at the school before she was 3,” said Kim, who appears with Robert in the opening party scene.
Kim said she got Kyra into ballet as a way to strengthen some orthopedic issues she had as a child — a move no one in the family could anticipate would inspire such a family tradition.
“The second year of the show, they needed a couple for the party scene,” at which point Kyra immediately thought of volunteering.
“They said, ‘Just pretend you’re at a party,’ and I said, ‘He [Robert] could do that.’”
So with Kyra playing the role of a cherub, the trio took to the stage and began a family tradition that at one point also included Krya’s twin brother Matthew, as “Fritz.”
Long before the first hard frost, the first Christmas card, or even the first seasonal TV advertisement, the “Claras,” “Fritzes” and “cherubs” of the world settled in for a long winter’s work.
Months before they graced the stage, the 3-to-17-year-old group of Winchester youngsters who participated in the Winchester Ballet Conservatory’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” began rigorous rehearsals before Halloween.
While their classmates counted their candy, they counted their dance steps.
While their classmates patted their bellies the week of Thanksgiving, they patted each other’s backs as they learned each new sequence.
And while their classmates, parents and community watched with approval, they delivered another spirited performance of the classic ballet at Winchester High School Saturday night.
“It went wonderful. I’m so proud of my students,” said Isil Avci, director of the conservatory. “They’ve been practicing since the end of October for four to five days per week.”
For Avci, who has directed the show for eight years, the most touching aspect is watching the transformation, literally and figuratively, of her students from butterflies to leading roles.
“I have students who at four or five years old were butterflies or sugar plums, who now are the leads of the play,” she said. “Every year, they move up to a bigger role, and it’s amazing to see how much they improve over the years.”
‘Clara-fication’
This year, Winchester residents Maggie Barrett and Grace Ashby Pelosky danced the title role of Clara. Barrett is a sixth-grader at St. Joseph School in Wakefield, while Pelosky attends the fourth grade at the Ambrose Elementary School.
Also back for the show, for an unprecedented ninth turn, was the Larkin family — Kyra and parents Kim and Robert — all of whom have appeared in the show for the past nine years.
“Kyra started at the school before she was 3,” said Kim, who appears with Robert in the opening party scene.
Kim said she got Kyra into ballet as a way to strengthen some orthopedic issues she had as a child — a move no one in the family could anticipate would inspire such a family tradition.
“The second year of the show, they needed a couple for the party scene,” at which point Kyra immediately thought of volunteering.
“They said, ‘Just pretend you’re at a party,’ and I said, ‘He [Robert] could do that.’”
So with Kyra playing the role of a cherub, the trio took to the stage and began a family tradition that at one point also included Krya’s twin brother Matthew, as “Fritz.”
“It’s just been great for us,” said Kim. “I had both kids humming Tchaikovsky for two months at the age of 4.”
Kim said the experience of watching Kyra and other children mature through the years has been priceless.
“That’s the best part — to see the transformation of clumsy young girls to graceful girls just floating across the room,” she said. “It’s an absolute joy.”
Kim said the experience has fostered a strong mother-daughter bond throughout the years.
“I have been known to cry at the end of every single performance, because I realize that it’s such a gift,” she said. “I can’t think of any other activity where parents have such a long-lasting role.”
Her husband Robert said he too never imagined how important a role the ballet would play in his family life.
“I just thought I would be standing around that first year, and the next thing I know, I’m lifting kids all over the place,” he laughed. “Now I look forward to it every year.
“It’s a little different, in that it’s not a sport or a function, but a real activity you do with your children that culminates in a performance in front of an audience,” he continued. “How many fathers get to do that?”
Kyra, a 12-year-old student at McCall Middle School, said she also enjoys sharing the limelight with her parents.
“I think things start getting really emotional when we all come together [onstage],” she said. “It’s just a really happy and proud moment for me — a humbling moment.”
Kyra said she wants to keep doing the show until college.
“I remember before the first show when I was young, I was playing with Peter Pan figures with a friend backstage because I was so anxious to get out there,” she said. “Back then, I would always say, ‘God, I would love to be out there doing those [lead roles].’ And now I get to.”
Kyra said her tenth show — in which she played four roles, including the candy cane lead — was another winner, but she did have one lamentation.
“I always get really sad when it’s over,” she said, pausing. “But there’s always next year.”
Candy cane cohort
Kyra’s co-candy-cane-lead, 13-year-old Alexandra Donald, came up through the ranks in similar fashion.
“I started ballet nine years ago, because I would always dance around the house and get all dressed up,” she said. “That’s what started it.”
Donald, who also played a snowflake and flower, said she looks forward to the challenge of a new role every year.
“In fourth grade I was Clara, and it was so fun. It was a big responsibility, but I really liked it,” she said. “It’s a lot of work, but I’m able to juggle my homework and rehearsals.
“It’s really fun, because it’s one of the only times I get to put on a ton of makeup,” she laughed. “I’m going to try to do this as long as I can.”
Mixed nuts
In addition to the conservatory’s production, there were a few other notable productions in recent weeks.
Earlier this week, the Karen Bernard School of Dance of Winchester celebrated the holiday season with its 18th annual benefit performance of “A Winter Wonderland” at Winchester High School.
And last week, the Ballet Arts Centre Performing Theatre Company once again presented its version of “The Nutcracker” at the McCall Middle School.
The company, which consists of more than 100 students from Ballet Arts Centre’s school and other surrounding areas, spent more than eight weeks rehearsing for its production, which included Emily Jerant-Hendrickson from Winchester, as one of the two “Claras.”
And, last but not least, Winchester’s own 11-year-old Olivia Bennett is appearing on the big stage for her second consecutive year in Boston Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” at the Boston Opera House.
Bennett has been a student at Boston Ballet for five years, and this year is playing a reindeer for more than 10 performances.
“It’s pretty fun to just be on stage and practice with so many talented older dancers,” she said. “It’s so fun because every show is different. Sometimes, when people make mistakes, we have to shorten the scene.”
Bennett’s remaining performances
- WHERE Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston
- TICKETS Call 617-695-6955 or visit the box office at 19 Clarendon St., Boston
- SHOW TIMES Friday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 24 at noon; Sunday, Dec. 27 at 5:30 p.m. (final performance)
