Dancing Through the Years: NEAD Celebrates 40 Years of The Nutcracker
Featuring Live Music by the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra

New Canaan, CT — The holiday season is about to sparkle brighter than ever as the New England Academy of Dance (NEAD) and the New England Dance Theater (NEDT) present their 40th Anniversary production of The Nutcracker, a cherished community tradition that has brought generations of dancers and families together. This year’s milestone performances will once again feature the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jonathan Yates, bringing Tchaikovsky’s timeless score to life in a way that only live music can. As one of the few productions in the region to include a full orchestra, NEAD’s Nutcracker offers an unforgettable holiday experience full of music, magic, and memory.

A Legacy of Dance and Dedication
Since its humble beginnings in 1985, NEAD’s Nutcracker has grown into a full-scale professional-caliber production, featuring more than 200 student dancers, ages 6 to 18, alongside professional guest artists from New York City. From the giggles of little Angels to the final elegant turns of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the ballet traces not only Clara’s dreamlike journey—but also the real-life growth of NEAD dancers as they rise through the ranks of roles over the years.

“The Nutcracker reflects our dancers’ journey,” says Ginna Ortiz, co-director of NEAD. “They don’t just perform, they grow up within this story. It’s where they find their joy, confidence, and artistic voice!”

The Magic of Live Music
Since 2018, the collaboration with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra has transformed NEAD’s Nutcracker into a musical and theatrical standout.

“Every year we perform with NEAD, I’m newly stunned by how exquisite their production is,” says Maestro Jonathan Yates, Music Director of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. “What our two organizations have created together is top-notch in every way—style, talent, energy, and heart.”

A Dancer’s Dream
For many NEAD dancers, The Nutcracker is more than a performance, it’s a part of growing up.“I’ve danced in NEAD’s Nutcracker for 12 years, it’s been my home every December,” shares Chloe Perkins, senior dancer. “From my first role as a little Angel to now performing as a leading dancer, every step has been filled with love, friendship, and magic. I’ll carry these memories and this family with me always.”

Performance Schedule
Location: New Canaan High School Auditorium
11 Farm Road, New Canaan, CT

Friday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 13 at 11:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 14 at 1:00 p.m. (Children’s Performance) & 4:00 p.m.

Tickets: Available at www.neadance.com or at the door.

Celebrating 40 Years of Holiday Magic
This December, step into a world of glittering snowflakes, mischievous mice, and dancing sweets—where music, movement, and memory combine to create something unforgettable. As NEAD celebrates four decades of The Nutcracker, it invites you to relive the magic—or experience it for the first time—with a production that continues to inspire, enchant, and bring the community together through the power of dance and live music.