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Local dancers to perform with Ballet Jörgen

Four local dancers are getting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform alongside some of the best professional dancers in the country.
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Olivia Nixon

Four local dancers are getting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform alongside some of the best professional dancers in the country.

Olivia Nixon, Hannah Kluss, Alyssa Margerm and Katie Larson were selected to perform in Canada’s Ballet Jörgen performance of Cinderella in Smithers on March 1.

“I’m excited and nervous. It’s a great opportunity,” said Alyssa, 17.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” added Nixon, 13.

Ballet Jörgen’s version of Cinderella is a different take on the classic fairy tale and begins when Cinderella encounters an old lady, a magic seed and enchanting fairies.

With each performance in the company’s all-province tour, two to four local student dancers are asked to participate.

Amanda Dorscht, owner of Creative Roots, chose the four girls because of their dedication to dance.

“[I chose them] based on their in-class focus, dedication and attendance,” said Dorscht.

“Just based on their ballet experience and some of them are graduating so I wanted them to have a really neat opportunity here at Creative Roots.

“I’m so excited for them, they’re going to do awesome.”

So far, the girls do not know much about their roles in Cinderella.

“We don’t know a whole lot about it, but I think we’ll be in the background,” said 17-year-old Hannah who has been dancing for roughly 14 years.

“We’ll either be tree fairies or ballroom guests,” noted Alyssa.

Not only will they have to do costume fittings the day of, but they will also need to nail down the choreography in the few short hours leading up to the performance.

But they do not seem nervous to be performing in front of a sold-crowd at Della Herman Theatre.

“I think that will be plenty of time for us to pick up what we’re going to be doing in the show,” said Hannah.

“I think it will be manageable.”

All girls have experience dancing in front of large crowds, having been performing for a combined 37 years.

For Hannah and Alyssa, in particular, it is a special experience, since they will be graduating from high school this year.

“It’s almost like they’re going to experience the professional company and that gives them a neat experience too, if that’s something they choose to do after school,” said Dorscht.

“It gives them a window into professional companies.”

Alyssa believes the performance will give her more experience dancing on a larger-stage since she hopes to continue her passion in university.

“I’m going to try and dance in university because they offer classes there,” she said.

Ballet Jörgen kicked off its tour earlier this month in Thunder Bay, Ontario and is spending six weeks travelling across the country.