Young dancers perform iconic winter show "The Nutcracker"
For more than 20 years, aspiring dancers from toddlers to college-age students have found a home at The Woodlands Civic Ballet.
After her career as a professional dancer at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Ballet and San Francisco's Northern California Dance Ensemble, Karyn Simon-Poland became inspired to share her passion and extensive knowledge of dance with youth. In 1987, Simon-Poland founded The Woodlands Civic Ballet, where she currently presides as owner and artistic director.
"I decided The Woodlands needed some culture," Simon-Poland said.
The studio, which offers beginner through advanced levels of Russian-style ballet, pointe and drill team classes, aspires to leave an everlasting impression on The Woodlands fine arts community.
Simon-Poland directs a variety of performances each year. The studio has put on many full-length shows and different acts from classical ballets in the summer and winter months, including "All You Need Is Love," "Sleeping Beauty," "Cinderella" and "Swan Lake."
"I'm very appreciative that The Woodlands seems to enjoy the true classical ballet," Simon-Poland said.
As winter starts settling in each year, preparations and rehearsals begin for one of the studio's most iconic productions, "The Nutcracker." An estimated 200 young dancers portray an array of characters, such as the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier prince, in the well-known classical ballet.
Christy Volanski, a volunteer at The Woodlands Civic Ballet, has two teenage daughters, Sydney and Tess, both of whom teach at the studio. The sisters will respectively perform the roles of the Snow Queen and a Dream Sentinel soloist in "The Nutcracker."
Since Tess Volanski began dancing at the studio at the age of 2, she has played numerous roles in "The Nutcracker" and other productions throughout the years. She said a great way for families to embrace the holiday season is to attend a showing of "The Nutcracker."
"We really do our best to put on a great production, and every year we're successful," Tess Volanski said. "It's just truly a beautiful show, and the music by (Pyotr Ilyich) Tchaikovsky never fails to put me in the Christmas mood."
The Woodlands Civic Ballet has found success in maintaining a family style environment in which young dancers learn and grown. Sydney Volanski said she cherishes the experiences and lessons she has learned from Simon-Poland as both a dancer and instructor at the studio.
"We've known most of the girls [at The Woodlands Civic Ballet] for years and years now," she said. "You don't have to worry if you mess up, and no one is going to think badly of you. We are all able to work together to put on the best show that we can."
"The Nutcracker" Schedule
- Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.
- Dec. 22, 2 p.m.
- McCullough Junior High School, 2800 S. Panther Creek Drive
- Admission is $15
Woodlands Civic Ballet, The Plazas at Alden Bridge, 7901 Research Forest Dr., Ste. 200, The Woodlands, 281-419-8849, woodlandscivicballet.org
