PRESS RELEASE FINAL –

NEAD’s The Nutcracker: A Magical Tradition with Live Music by the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra!
This holiday season, the New England Academy of Dance (NEAD) and the New England Dance Theater (NEDT) bring the enchanting Nutcracker to life once more, accompanied by the live symphonic sounds of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra!
Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker has become a symbol of holiday joy worldwide, and this year, its timeless melodies will be performed live, elevating the magic of the ballet. NEAD’s talented dancers, from young party children and mischievous mice to the graceful Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara, will transport audiences into a dreamlike world of wonder. The costumes sparkle, the sets dazzle, and the dancers’ flawless movements are perfectly matched to the velvety strains of Tchaikovsky’s score, played live by the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra.
Since 2018, this collaboration has become a treasured tradition, making NEAD’s Nutcracker one of the only productions in Connecticut to feature a live orchestra. The combination of world-class ballet and live orchestra music creates an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.

The Magic Behind the Scenes
While the performance may seem effortless, the journey to creating such a magical production is anything but. The behind-the-scenes efforts, led by New England Dance Theater 2018 former Board President Melissa Engel, have been nothing short of a feat of dedication and collaboration. In the early days of the partnership, Engel recognized the invaluable opportunity that a live orchestra would provide for the young dancers. However, the endeavor required an ambitious fundraising effort to cover the costs of such a grand undertaking.
“There were challenges to overcome,” Mrs. Engel says. “Introducing a live orchestra meant only one rehearsal together before the curtain rose, and many were uncertain about how it would all come together. But the dancers, directors, and technical crew rose to the occasion with grace, determination, and a shared passion for the art. The result has been a magical history of collaboration between NEAD and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, culminating in an experience that has become a beloved holiday tradition for the community.”
NEDT’s current Board President, Jennifer Kurtz, adds, “NEDT is so proud to continue this partnership, which started so many years ago. With the exception of December 2020, our community has been privileged to see and hear an extraordinary Nutcracker performance every December in the New Canaan High School auditorium. This production is a partnership among so many organizations and volunteers, and we are proud to be one of the only regional ballet schools in the country to put on a production of this magnitude set to live music. We continue to fundraise each year through our Annual Appeal to support this immense undertaking and are excited for the five shows coming up this December!”

The Maestro: Jonathan Yates
Jonathan Yates, the Music Director of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, has been a driving force behind bringing live orchestra music to the community. His expertise and passion for the arts have made this collaboration a truly special experience for both dancers and audiences alike. “Every year we perform with NEAD, I am newly stunned by how exquisite their production is. Their Nutcracker is replete with style, talent, gorgeous choreography, incredible costumes, and just the best energy. I’m so proud that the Norwalk Symphony has made this a yearly collaboration—I think what the two organizations have created together is just top-notch.”

NEAD: Nurturing Future Stars
The New England Academy of Dance is a place where young dancers are not only trained in the art of ballet but also nurtured to grow as individuals. From young children to high school seniors, NEAD’s students receive exceptional training in a supportive, family-oriented environment. Many go on to join professional companies or pursue higher education in the arts.
NEAD Senior Ballerina Alessandra Gass, who is dancing the leading role of Clara, expresses her excitement: “Dancing alongside live musicians is a special feeling unlike any other—one I am truly grateful for year after year. The orchestra has connected our dancing to a broader sense of purpose, turning a sequence of steps on stage into an immersive experience for the audience and cast members alike.”

For more inform
PRESS RELEASE FINAL –

NEAD’s The Nutcracker: A Magical Tradition with Live Music by the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra!
This holiday season, the New England Academy of Dance (NEAD) and the New England Dance Theater (NEDT) bring the enchanting Nutcracker to life once more, accompanied by the live symphonic sounds of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra!
Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker has become a symbol of holiday joy worldwide, and this year, its timeless melodies will be performed live, elevating the magic of the ballet. NEAD’s talented dancers, from young party children and mischievous mice to the graceful Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara, will transport audiences into a dreamlike world of wonder. The costumes sparkle, the sets dazzle, and the dancers’ flawless movements are perfectly matched to the velvety strains of Tchaikovsky’s score, played live by the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra.
Since 2018, this collaboration has become a treasured tradition, making NEAD’s Nutcracker one of the only productions in Connecticut to feature a live orchestra. The combination of world-class ballet and live orchestra music creates an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.

The Magic Behind the Scenes
While the performance may seem effortless, the journey to creating such a magical production is anything but. The behind-the-scenes efforts, led by New England Dance Theater 2018 former Board President Melissa Engel, have been nothing short of a feat of dedication and collaboration. In the early days of the partnership, Engel recognized the invaluable opportunity that a live orchestra would provide for the young dancers. However, the endeavor required an ambitious fundraising effort to cover the costs of such a grand undertaking.
“There were challenges to overcome,” Mrs. Engel says. “Introducing a live orchestra meant only one rehearsal together before the curtain rose, and many were uncertain about how it would all come together. But the dancers, directors, and technical crew rose to the occasion with grace, determination, and a shared passion for the art. The result has been a magical history of collaboration between NEAD and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, culminating in an experience that has become a beloved holiday tradition for the community.”
NEDT’s current Board President, Jennifer Kurtz, adds, “NEDT is so proud to continue this partnership, which started so many years ago. With the exception of December 2020, our community has been privileged to see and hear an extraordinary Nutcracker performance every December in the New Canaan High School auditorium. This production is a partnership among so many organizations and volunteers, and we are proud to be one of the only regional ballet schools in the country to put on a production of this magnitude set to live music. We continue to fundraise each year through our Annual Appeal to support this immense undertaking and are excited for the five shows coming up this December!”

The Maestro: Jonathan Yates
Jonathan Yates, the Music Director of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, has been a driving force behind bringing live orchestra music to the community. His expertise and passion for the arts have made this collaboration a truly special experience for both dancers and audiences alike. “Every year we perform with NEAD, I am newly stunned by how exquisite their production is. Their Nutcracker is replete with style, talent, gorgeous choreography, incredible costumes, and just the best energy. I’m so proud that the Norwalk Symphony has made this a yearly collaboration—I think what the two organizations have created together is just top-notch.”

NEAD: Nurturing Future Stars
The New England Academy of Dance is a place where young dancers are not only trained in the art of ballet but also nurtured to grow as individuals. From young children to high school seniors, NEAD’s students receive exceptional training in a supportive, family-oriented environment. Many go on to join professional companies or pursue higher education in the arts.
NEAD Senior Ballerina Alessandra Gass, who is dancing the leading role of Clara, expresses her excitement: “Dancing alongside live musicians is a special feeling unlike any other—one I am truly grateful for year after year. The orchestra has connected our dancing to a broader sense of purpose, turning a sequence of steps on stage into an immersive experience for the audience and cast members alike.”

For more information or to purchase tickets for The Nutcracker, visit NEADance.com.

ation or to purchase tickets for The Nutcracker, visit NEADance.com.