Start your holiday season with a beautiful performance of a Christmas classic as the Miami Valley Dance Company presents its 26th annual Nutcracker ballet on Saturday, December 8th at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 9th at 3 p.m. Performances will take place at Bellbrook High School. MVDC was founded by Terre Manning, and she serves as artistic director with Pamela Ellis, Lily Seitter, and Claire Hinde.

This version of the Nutcracker will feature the enchanting, timeless music and storyline of the original, while focusing on elements that children will enjoy. Young students from Terre’s Dance Workshop will participate as adorable mice, angels, clowns and stately soldiers. Members of the Miami Valley Dance Company will perform all the major dancing roles. The choreography is a collaboration of many different directors and guest choreographers that have been involved with the company over the past 20 years.

Sergey Pakharev, a former soloist in Fort Worth/Dallas, Orlando, and Cincinnati, is now Artist in Residence with MVDC. His training began with The Kirov Ballet Academy in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He will be performing the role of Snow King and Drosselmeyer. Marko Micov, soloist with the San Antonio Ballet, will dance the role of Cavalier. Robert Pulido, dancer with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, will perform the role of Arabian and Spanish. Trezon Dancy, a dancer with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, will dance the role of Russian and the Nutcracker. This Nutcracker is professional, affordable, and a treat for the entire family. MVDC’s performance is the only Nutcracker performed in the south-Dayton suburbs. The theater at Bellbrook High School is state-of-the-art; there is not a bad seat in the house.

The Miami Valley Dance Company is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the teaching and training of its young dancers, as well as providing them many opportunities to perform for varied audiences throughout the Dayton area. Dancers from Kettering, Centerville, Springboro,  Bellbrook, Oakwood, Beavercreek, and Dayton will participate in this ballet.

Tickets are currently available at $15 for children and adults, and can be purchased from cast members or from Terre’s Dance Workshop by calling 435-0503. Group prices are available for organizations of Girl Scouts, Senior Centers, groups of 10 or more, or those going to the Saturday night show. All seats are reserved. Tickets can be purchased at the door as long as tickets are still available. Last year’s Sunday afternoon performance sold out, so get your seats early!