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Date: 12/15/2021
HOLYOKE/SPRINGFIELD- The Massachusetts Academy of Ballet is hosting their Winter Ballet on Dec. 18 at Pope Francis Preparatory School. The performance will feature excerpts from the Nutcracker and Vivaldi’s “Winter.”
In previous years, the academy has participated in a performance at Wistariahurst Museum. The annual tradition had to change due to COVID-19.
“This is our first year putting together the Winter Ballet. In the past we’ve been at Wistariahurst Museum with a narrated Nutcracker that was based on the Skinner family history,” said Rose Flachs, co-owner and artistic director of the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet.
Flachs said the show will feature all academy students ages 5 and up. Students have been rehearsing for the Winter Ballet since September.
According to Flachs, they were not able to host a live performance in 2020. However, older students were able to perform and record the first movement of Vivaldi’s “Winter” to give out to parents instead.
“So this year we’re bringing that to the stage and adding more to it, so that’s kind of exciting too,” said Flachs.
The Winter Ballet will host two shows on Dec. 18. One show will begin at 2 p.m. and the other at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets for adults are $20, tickets for ages 12 and under are $10 and ages two and under are free. Flachs said that funds will go toward costumes, theater rentals for future productions and to their scholarship fund.
Flachs said that the dancers are excited for the opportunity to perform in front of an audience after the pandemic.
“Everybody’s so excited for the live performance. There’s a lot of positive energy at the studio and the fact that they get to be on the stage with a live audience … Everyone’s looking forward to it,” she said.
She said that she is excited to see the kids creating a character, telling a story and expressing themselves on stage.
“It takes a lot of discipline to be a dancer and it takes a lot of discipline especially for our older students who are there day after day. There’s always something to work on and through our whole process of training and rehearsal to then sit back and watch them on stage and see how it all comes together is very exciting,” said Flachs.
After the Winter Ballet, the dancers will begin to prepare for their Spring Ballet which takes place in May. Flachs said that they will also be planning in-studio performances to raise money for non-profits in Holyoke and the surrounding area.
Those interested in learning more about the Winter Ballet or purchasing tickets are able to do so on the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet website at https://www.massacademyofballet.com/.