On Tuesday, December 10th, students from the New Bedford Youth Ballet performed a condensed version of A New England Nutcracker at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. Kay Hanley Alden, a dance educator and choreographer, presented The Making of a Dancer and A Nutcracker Journey. The program was an opportunity to introduce classical dance and music to the community. Those in attendance learned about dance, as well as the story of The Nutcracker and its origin.
Ms. Alden formerly studied and taught dance throughout Europe and Asia. She has also studied at the Boston Conservatory and taught tap in the school’s out-reach programs. “I was delighted to have the New Bedford Ballet Youth Ballet come to Mattapoisett. How professional and talented these young dancers are. They worked in limited space and on a carpet. Bravo”, said Ms. Alden.
A New England Nutcracker is an original adaptation of the traditional Nutcracker and was created by New Bedford Ballet’s director, Rebecca Waskiel-Marchessault. New Bedford Ballet has a long history of bringing arts into the community, as they believe in the value of the performing arts. For over twenty years, NBB has continued its mission of performing ballets, providing classical ballet training to children and adults, ensuring access to ballet instruction for all through granting and scholarships.
By Shawn Gosciminski Sweet
