New Canaan, CT, Tuesday, October 7, 2025 — The New England Academy of Dance (NEAD). This December, NEAD proudly celebrates the 40th anniversary of its beloved Nutcracker Ballet, accompanied by the Norwalk Symphony, a holiday tradition that has inspired and delighted generations of dancers and families throughout Fairfield County and the Tri-State area. For 40 years, more than 150 NEAD students, ages 6 to 18, take the stage alongside professional guest artists from New York City, bringing this magical story to life. Dancers perform against dazzling sets and beautiful costumes, in the state-of-the-art New Canaan High School auditorium that seats over 700 guests.

The Nutcracker has featured the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra since 2017, performing live — an extraordinary collaboration that has enriched NEAD’s production.
Under Maestro Jonathan Yates, the partnership celebrates NSO’s own long history dating back to 1939, while elevating the beauty and authenticity of the Nutcracker performance
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Frances Ortiz, Ginna Ortiz, and Ted Thomas — all professional dancers and choreographers with rich educational qualifications, as well as esteemed professional achievements. Together, they have built a curriculum of 18 class levels, grounded in classical ballet technique, proper body alignment, musicality and artistic expression. Under their leadership, NEAD has grown into one of Fairfield County foremost dance institutions.