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 Cumbrae
dancers Keradwyn Thompson and Lily Mialkowski
will appear together in the Ballet Jorgen
performance of The Nutcracker. PHOTO SUPPLIED
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The professional
dancers were "breathtaking and I loved getting to know them,�
says Keradwyn Thompson about her first experience, in 2016,
dancing in Canada's Ballet J�rgen production of The Nutcracker:
A Canadian Tradition.
"It was
even more exciting than I imagined,� she recalls.
This is
the third consecutive year the 11-year-old has successfully
auditioned for a role. While she is once again dancing the
part of a chipmunk, she explains there are four chipmunk
roles and she has played a different one each year.
Keradwyn's
friend and fellow Cumbrae School of Dancing student Lily
Mialkowski, 12, has earned a role in this year's production
aftershe unsuccessfully auditioned last year.
"I
wasn't discouraged about trying again," says Lily,
who will also be playing a squirrel. "In fact, I think
I was more encouraged so I could prove to myself that you
can do whatever you set your mind to.�
Lily's
mother Nancy MacKinnon is very proud of how her daughter
bounced back from her disappointment.
Laural
Harquail and Charlotte Goyetche are the other Cumbrae students
dancing in this year's production. Keradwyn's advice to
those dancing for the first time is to do their best. "Time
flies, so remember to enjoy the experience and don't forget
to have fun.� (Keradwyn will also be performing in Cinderella
and the Ice Slipper at The Gladstone Theatre starting December
28.)
Being
part of the Nutcracker cast is a significant commitment
for dancers, who are already dancing many hours a week in
their regular classes. An intensive evening and full-day
of rehearsals followed auditions at the Shenkman in mid-October.
Three-hour
weekly rehearsals continue every Sunday morning at the School
of Dance in New Edinburg until final rehearsals with Ballet
J�rgen's co-founder and artistic director Bengt J�rgen.
Keradwyn's
father Kevin Thompson is impressed with J�rgen's support
and encouragement. "He really makes the children feel like
they are part of the J�rgen ballet family.�
From about
80 Ottawa-area dancers who auditioned, 16 from eight Ottawa-area
dance schools were chosen to perform as woodland creatures
in the three performances at the Shenkman. Another 15 young
dancers will perform in the two performances at the Meridian
Theatres at Centerpointe.
As was
the case last year, the only male dancer chosen for either
cast was Viggo Batabyal-Miller from the Academy of Dance
Arts in Orléans. Cumbrae dancers were also among local dancers
chosen to dance in the recent Alberta Ballet production
of The Nutcracker at the National Arts Centre.
"I cannot
say enough about how grateful I am as a teacher to the companies
that open roles to local children,� says Amer Harvie, director
of Cumbrae. "It is so inspiring for them to be part of a
professional production.�
Performances
at the Shenkman are at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 and at 1:30 and
7 p.m. on Dec. 13. Visit www.shenkmanarts.ca
or call 613-580-2700 for more information or to purchase
tickets.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
SDBC TAPROOM CONCERT SERIES presents Quite Alright live and in concert at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Advance tickets $7 available at 
PUMPKINS & PINTS pumpkin carving event at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Cost $10. Your ticket gets you your own pumpkin and materials so you can get creative and carve out your masterpiece. There will be prizes and other surprises. All ages. Space is limited so RSVP today by visiting 
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d'Arc. For more info visit 
OYSTER NIGHT every Wednesday from 6-9 pm at the Orléans Brewing Co. Two types of oysters served with lemon, Tobasco, horseradish, salt and mignonette. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd., next to McDonalds.
FINAL ORLEANS FARMERS MARKET OF THE YEAR from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot at the Ray Friel Recreation Centre on Tenth Line Road. Shop the freshest seasonal produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts and more while getting to know the folks who grew and made it.
BOOZE AND BREWS BASH at the Royal Oak Orléans, 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. (corner of Jeanne d'Arc) 10 pm to 2 am. Dance the night away when DJ Kwizz starts spinning the tunes at 10pm!! Prize for the best costume!! Pints of Molson Canadian for $6.95 & shots of Jameson's for $5.95.
