2017 DEC PASO Magazine

EDUCATION & CULTURE
BALLET OPENS DECEMBER 8
Alexandre Algueró will dance as Cavalier
By Heather Young
Though the Central
Coast is no a snow-covered
wonderland
during the Christmas
season, other traditions
remain strong in the
North County, including
Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”
ballet.
“It’s a really good way to get into the
holiday spirit,” said Gabriella Trevisan,
this year’s Sugar Plum Fairy.
Trevisan, who trains at Class Act Dance
in Paso Robles, will dance with guest
dancer, Alexandre Algueró, who will
be in the area from Barcelona and has
agreed to be in the ballet.
The Christmas story of Clara, her uncle
Drosselmeyer, the Prince, Sugar Plum
Fairy and the fantasy world is a Christmas
tradition that North County Dance and
Performing Arts Foundation brings to the
North County every December.
“There are a lot of unsung heroes,”
director Cheryle Armstrong
said about those who make the ballet
possible. Those people include
the parents that work behind the
scenes and participate as dancers.
Trevisan, a Paso Robles resident,
is a junior at Mission Prep in San
Luis Obispo. This year’s ballet is her
eighth year dancing in “The Nutcracker”
for North County Dance &
Performing Arts Foundation.
“I’ve been almost
every role in ‘The Nutcracker,’”
Trevisan said.
She was 9 years old
when she danced in the
ballet for the first time.
She filled the roles of
Bon Bon, Reindeer and
Tealight that year. She’s
been dancing since
she was 4 years old and
now dances six days a week for one to
3.5 hours a day.
“I’m really excited,” Trevisan said. “I
can’t wait to bring the character to life
and bring the magic to the audience.”
Fifteen-year-old Koby Wescom has
also been dancing in the ballet for many
year — seven to be exact. This year he will
again take the stage as the Nutcracker
Prince.
“I am looking forward to being the Nutcracker
Prince again this year,” Wescom
said. “Being a part of this production has
been a blessing in so many ways. I
have not only grown as a dancer but
as a person too. We have had many
great experiences and have made
some amazing memories.”
This year, Wescom will also be
dancing the family scene with his
sister, Kyra, who will play Fritz, and
his mom, Amy, who will play Mrs.
Stahlbaum.
This ballet will take place the
second weekend of December. Student
night and open dress rehearsal
will be held on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7
p.m. Following performances will happen
on Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday,
Dec. 9 at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and
Sunday, Dec. 10 at 1 and 5:30 p.m. at the
Performing Arts Center on the campus of
Templeton High School. Tickets are $28
for adults and $24 for children. For Student
Night, tickets are $10 and a can of
food for students and $25 for adults. For
more information or to purchase tickets,
go to ncdpaf.org.
Nutcracker Tea Party
Enjoy an afternoon tea with Sugar Plum,
Clara and Mrs. Stahlbaum from “The Nutcracker”
ballet with special appearances
by dancers from the Land of the Sweets
on Sunday, Dec. 3 at noon and 3:30 p.m.
at Class Act Dance, 1324 Vendels Circle,
Ste. 101 in Paso Robles.
There will be photo opportunities
with the cast members, autographs,
Nutcracker gift souvenirs, raffle items
and more. Tickets are $20 each.
To purchase tickets, go to
teaparty2017.brownpapertickets.com.
50 PASO Magazine, December 2017