Incredible performance of the Nutcracker

And yes they are kids

It never ceases to amaze me what young children can do when they put their hearts into it. Each year Dance Kids of Monterey County puts on a truly remarkable performance of the Nutcracker ballet. The stars are children ranging from age 3 on up to 18. The supporting cast are, for the most part, just parents of those kids along with a couple very talented male dancers for 2 key rolls (mostly because they can do lifts and studied dance their entire lives too).

Each year I photograph the performances so that the parents (me included) get well done photos of their children's 15 minutes of fame. They start rehearsing in September and put on 3 shows in early December. Hours and hours of rehearsal. Sore and bandaged feet balanced on the toe box of pointe shoes. Memorizing choreography for 6 or more scenes. Doing homework and studying for finals in the dressing rooms between numbers. Commitment.

For the record, dancers may be some of the best athletes - like gymnasts. They have strength and poise. My 8th grade daughter holds the sit up and push up record at her middle school - boys and girls. As she says to the boys "Oh you play football? That's cute."

And these dancers shone like the stars they are. Nothing cuter than a teeny ballerina or more impressive than a 14 year old girl dancing with the beauty and elegance that 11 years of dance training and commitment can bring.