OCR Text |
Show r ' UTAH YOUTH BALLET version of the traditional Christmas ballet fantasy "The Nutcracker" will feature Shawna Adamson as the Snow Queen and David Woods as the Snow Prince. Lehi artist fashions local 'Nutcracker' The choreography for the Utah Youth Ballet production of the traditional Christmas ballet "The Nutcracker," is the work of Jacqueline P. Colledge of Lehi, who has put her heart and her professional training into the project. Mrs. Colledge was a student of the famed ballet teacher and founder of Ballet West, Willam F. Christensen. She began her studies at the University of Utah at age 13, after her parents discovered she was sneaking downtown to classes taught by Lehi native Bill Evans, a dancer with Repertory Dance Theater, where she would dance with his classes at the back of the room. She was then a widely known vocalist, and had been encouraged by her parents to be a singer. She attended the University of Utah on a dance scholarship and became a paid member of Ballet West company at the same time, dancing as a paid member of the company for six years. During that time she toured with the company, often on tours extending to seven weeks. She finally decided that ballet came before classes, and concentrated on her career. During her years as a student and professional dancer, she danced all the roles for ages 12 and up, including her favorite, The Snow Queen, in Ballet West's "Nutcracker." Mr. Christensen introduced "Nutcracker" "Nut-cracker" to America. Students in her classes at "Jacquelines's School of Ballet," the resident dance company of Utah Pageant of the Arts, benefit from her training and professional experience and discipline. She expects much of her students, and they always give their best, she said. Mrs. Colledge has wanted to present "The Nutcracker" since she began teaching seven years ago and is delighted with the result of the cooperation of her dancers and the production staff of the Pageant. The Utah Youth Ballet verion of "The Nutcracker" premiered last Christmas to sell-out audiences an great reviews. Mrs. Colledge has changed the choreography this year to reflect the growth and increased abilitites of the dancers. The music played by the Provo High School Symphony Orchestra adds a new excitement to the performance per-formance and, because the music is live, it is different for each performance. per-formance. The dancers must listen to every note and be more aware of their surroundings than if they were dancing to recorded music, which is the same every time it is played. . Mrs. Colledge attributes her success suc-cess as a dancer and teacher to her own instructor, Mr. "C." "If there is any way I could thank him for what has given me, it would be to share that with my students and pass his legacy on to another generation of dancers," she says. The Utah Youth Ballet's "Th. Nutcracker" will be presented Dec. 27-30 at 8 p.m., with matinees on Dec. 29 and 30 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at Sabine's Dancewear and Accessories, 19 East Main, American Fork. All seats are reserved and group rates are available. |