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December 31, 2013 · 11:59 pm

Farewell to the Nutcracker

2013 has just minutes left. I decided to take the countdown as a challenge to get one more post in this year!

What a year it was for me and our family! While I’ve shared a lot on instagram and Facebook I havent have a moment to post more than once about what Im spending the majority of my life doing in December: the nutcracker and cookies.

Id like to wish a farewell to my daughters first year in the New York City Ballet Nutcracker! She has had a blast and although it was a lot for our family to juggle, as a mother I can sort of compare it to childbirth and say (now that it’s over) it wasnt so bad to go through.

Im glad that Macy had the extra time to develop some great friendships with some really nice girls and I’m glad that I had the extra time to chat with some really nice parents.

Of course there were lots of cookie involved.

I was thrilled to make Nutcracker cookies for so many people and organizations this year. My original little guy made his way to events at the Ohio Dance Theatre and the San Francisco Ballet, as well as several other of my etsy clients.

I also made a new Nutcracker design for Joffrey Ballet School NYC for the dancers recital gifts.

But what was most enjoyable was sharing cookies with the children’s cast at NYCB’s Nutcracker. Macy was super proud to pass them out and when they announced that I had made one for each of the 65 kids the parents applauded me…..I covered my face in astonishment. The children were so sweet, many of them came up to thank me, its like they really understood how much time each little cookie took me and they appreciated it. I made a solider, angel and sugarplum fairy with the costumes as close as possible as I could get to the real deal.

I loved taking snapshots of the life going on under the stage each night (incase you aren’t familiar the children perform about every other day for 6 weeks) Since there is not wifi or cell service on the Lower Concourse of the David Koch theatre the children entertain themselves in traditional ways, like card games and Jacks. Yes kids still know how to play Jacks! They celebrate birthdays, give secret santa gifts and squeeze in homework. Parents read the newspaper, address their christmas cards and occasionally share a bottle of wine.

I thought a collage was best way to share all of those backstage shots, for my readers and for Macy its sort of a keepsake. One of the snapshots of Macy made it as our Christmas card, sometimes those are the best!

I hope all of my other ballet moms had unforgettable holiday performances and I look forward to continuing to share and chat with you all next year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

XOXO, NIKKI

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Filed under Celebrations, Cookies

Tagged as ballerina, Nutcracker, NYCB, school of american ballet, sugar cookies, tween ballerina

July 4, 2012 · 5:52 pm

School of American Ballet Invites Macy Berry to Enroll

Macy Berry, Brooklyn, New York

I am delighted to share my family’s wonderful news, my daughter Macy has been accepted into the prestigious The School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center. Macy has always loved to dance and enjoyed a few years with Joffrey Ballet School when SAB auditions fell into our lap. We weren’t looking for change but after learning more about the school felt that the classical technique that they offer is more of the style that Macy enjoys. She has been placed in level III at SAB and is excited that she is one level below learning Pointe, her biggest goal.

Alfred Eisenstaedt dancers at George Balanchines School of American Ballet lined up at barre during training.

Alfred Eisenstaedt ballerinas on a window sill in rehearsal room at George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet

“The School of American Ballet, the official training academy of the New York City Ballet was established in 1934 by legendary choreographer George Balanchine and philanthropist Lincoln Kirstein” “Many SAB students have unique opportunities to gain performing experience through the School’s affiliation with New York City Ballet. Younger students are featured in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Coppelia, among other ballets” – http://www.SAB.org While learning about the school we found an amazing 16 minute video. We think it gives an excellent overview and inside look at what SAB is about from auditions to alternative high school education.

Students from SAB’s Girls IV class perform Coppélia Photo by Paul Koknik

Macy Berry Ballerina

As we learn about the opportunities that a path with SAB can bring, Macy becomes more interested in becoming the best dancer she can be. Everyday she is stretching, dancing and studying ballet terms to stay in shape this summer. She starts classes in September for a 90 minute class 4 times a week. We will sorely miss our trips to Joffrey Ballet in the West Village but I am excited to explore more of the UWS. Hudson and I will be spending a lot of time there while Macy is dancing her heart out!

Snowflakes from The Nutcracker
New York City Ballet photo by Paul Koknik

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
New York City Ballet photo by Paul Koknik

At least 5 years ago Macy cut this image of the Waltz of the Flowers out of the NY Times, we laminated it and it has hung around her room since then. We look forward to seeing more ballets this year and maybe one day Macy’s dream of being that Dewdrop in the middle will come true.

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Filed under City Mouse + Country Mouse, The Chic Tween

Tagged as dance school, joffrey ballet school, lincoln center, new york city ballet, school of american ballet, tween ballerina