Ballet Chelsea is proud to present its 22nd annual production of The Nutcracker on the first two weekends of December. Adding to the excitement is Ballet Chelsea’s third year of collaboration with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. This exciting production brings music and dance together for four performances in Jackson and Washtenaw counties, raising the visibility of the arts in both communities.
Drawing on the talents of Wendi DuBois, Artistic Director of Ballet Chelsea, and Matthew Aubin, Music Director of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, collaboration and communication between Orchestra and Ballet Company is instrumental when creating an enchanting holiday performance.
When asked about the partnership, Matthew Aubin said, “Collaborating with Wendi DuBois and Ballet Chelsea has been such a treat over these last three years. The sets are professional, the choreography is amazing, and the students of all ages, from about five years old up to the professional level, really amaze our audience.”
Seeing the growth and excitement of Ballet Chelsea’s dancers working with professional musicians is a joy for Artist Director Wendi Dubois, who added, “Matt brings a level of excellence and professionalism to our arts community. Working with live musicians truly inspires our dancers to soar. Matt’s leadership, coupled with the talents of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, has made our collaboration a gift to our dancers and audience members alike.”
The Nutcracker is a full-length narrated production that combines the beauty of ballet, the excitement of live music, and the joy of a classic holiday story. Performances are December 7th and 8th at 2p.m. at Chelsea High School Performing Arts Complex, 740 N. Freer Road in Chelsea, Michigan and December 14th at 7:30p.m. and December 15th at 2p.m. at the George E. Potter Center, 2111 Emmons Rd., Jackson. Tickets range in price from $10 – $30 and are available online at balletchelsea.org or jacksonsymphony.org.
Photos and interviews available upon request. Aja Brandmeier, Ballet Chelsea Communications Coordinator, at (734) 475-3070, or aja@balletchelsea.org.
About Ballet Chelsea:
http://balletchelsea.org/about/
Ballet Chelsea is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that provides professional-level dance training to dance students through performance opportunities, enrichment activities, master classes, summer intensives, and pre-professional studies.
Ballet Chelsea was formed in 1995 to provide dance training and performance opportunities to young dancers in Chelsea, MI. Ballet Chelsea’s company has grown to nearly 70 male and female artists from Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Jackson, Manchester, Stockbridge, and Ypsilanti. Artists have a myriad of performance opportunities, including full-length ballets, an annual benefit concert, and community outreach activities at local schools, hospitals, senior centers, and libraries.
