The CVDA Nutcracker 2019

Maddie Gaffney

2.5.20

---

What It Is

The Nutcracker is one of the most well-known ballets and holiday stories to ever exist. No matter how old or young, many people know at least what a Nutcracker is or has heard the timeless music on the radio. Though few truly know the magical, heartwarming story that lies behind the beloved name. Yes, a Nutcracker is a doll. Yes, a Nutcracker can crack the shells of nuts. Yes, you have heard the Nutcracker march from years of listening to the radio around Christmas each year, but do you know the actual story? 

The story of a young girl named Clara receives a Nutcracker as a Christmas gift from her mysterious grandfather, Drosselmeyer. Then she dreams about her Nutcracker prince coming to life and battling the Mouse King with his soldier army. Magically, she is saved and travels through the snowflake forest where the Snow Queen and King welcome her to their land. She then leaves the land of snow and enters the Land of Sweets, where the queen of them all, The Sugarplum Fairy, crowns her like a princess. 

As an honorary princess, with her very own throne, Clara is ready to be showered with gifts from those who live in the land. Spain grants the gift of chocolate. Arabia grants the gift of coffee. China grants the gift of tea. Russia grants the gift of candy canes. Marzipan grants the gift of marzipan as they dance with their flutes. Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles dance for her and bring nothing but joy. Dew Drop and her Flowers dance a beautiful waltz flowers dance for her. Lastly, Clara is granted the gift of watching the Sugar Plum Fairy dance with her Cavalier, her prince. As she wakes up from her dream, her tiara is mysteriously still on her head, which leaves us to ask, was everything really a dream after all? To dancers around the world and, especially the dancers at Chester Valley, there is no story more magical.  

---

The CVDA Story

Every year my dance studio, Chester Valley Dance Academy located in Lionville, performs the magical story of E.T.A Hoffman’s The Nutcracker. Nutcracker season for the CVDA family is one of the most exciting and happiest times of the year for not only the dancers involved but the directors and staff as well. The amount of dedication and time we dancers spend preparing for our three shows in late December may seem unfathomable to most. However, I know there is no harm in saying that everyone who participates enjoys every single moment. Nutcracker is such a special part of the lives of all of the dancers at CVDA in every way possible. From the time we audition in August, to when the final curtain closes in December, there is never a dull moment. Spending hours together every Saturday is something we look forward to most and the amount of love and support we share with one another is undeniably something so unique and beyond special. None of this, however, would be possible without our director, Cathy Moran, and our amazing choreographer, Kim Martin. Without them, our dreams and goals would never have become a reality. CVDA’s Nutcracker is truly an endless journey of happiness, joy, love, and excitement from the very beginning to the very end, lasting a glorious four and a half months. There is truly nothing quite as surreal and amazing as the experiences and memories Nutcracker brings all of us dancers. 

---

CVDA STEM Dancers

Chester Valley Dance Academy is made up of dancers from all of the schools in the area and teaches students from as young as preschool to as old as seniors in high school. Several of CVDA’s dancers attend the Downingtown Stem Academy and proudly danced in The Nutcracker back in December. For our CVDA seniors, they danced their very last Nutcracker, which was an extremely emotional and unforgettable experience in itself. The reason why experiencing your last Nutcracker at CVDA is so emotional, you may wonder, is due to the amount of love, support, and positivity it never fails to bring. We all have grown up with one another, side by side, year after year, and performing in The Nutcracker. Therefore, when it is finally over, as a senior, a part of you flies away as the curtain closes. A part of you that has an incredible amount of meaning and has never not been a part of your life. There is nothing quite as special as the feeling of accomplishment Nutcracker provides all of its dancers and I know my CVDA family can agree. Our CVDA Stem dancers and their roles in 2019 include...

Seniors

Angelina Scavitto - Grand Pas De Deux, Snow Core, Waltz Demi, and a Mom

Emma Burke - Spanish, Mouse King, Mom of the House, and Waltz Core

Sophia Alfinito - Snow Queen, Marzipan Lead, Waltz Demi, and a Mom

Emily Plichta - Dew Drop, Mouse King, Mom of the House, and Snow Core

Jake Davidson - Dad in the party scene 

Juniors

Heidi Beardsley - Dew Drop, Arabian Lead, Snow Demi, and a Mom

Maddie Gaffney - Snow Queen, Russian Lead, Waltz Demi, and a Mom

Julia Davidson - Grand Pas De Deux, Snow Demi, Waltz Demi, and a Mom

Paige Williams - Spanish, Nutcracker, Snow Demi, Waltz Demi, and a Mom

Sophomores

Maizy Pavis - Ballerina Doll, Waltz Core, and Snow Core

Freshmen

Ava Lebresco - Angel Princess, Marzipan Core, Waltz Core, and Snow Core

*demi = co-leads to the lead, in a sense, the vice presidents to the president 

*core = dancers who dance with or behind the lead 

*grand pas de deux = when the Sugarplum Fairy dances with her prince at the very end, the grand finale

---

Reflections

I think Nutcracker is an anomaly to non-dancers. It seems like we spend 12+ hours a week from August to December preparing for a few performances. Yet the camaraderie is longlasting. Preparing each year with the same music, costumes, choreography, etc., creates a community of love surrounding this timeless story. We all share the laughs and tears throughout the entire experience. We never get tired of it because it’s so hard, but so rewarding. The Nutcracker really makes the holidays the most wonderful time of the year.

- Paige Williams

To me, The Nutcracker has held and will forever hold a special place in my heart. It is my favorite time of year, especially because we get to practice every Saturday, hang out with our friends for long hours, and learn new dances. I love watching my friends and supporting them in all of their roles. Miss Kim is a big part of how I feel about Nutcracker, as she pushes us to be the best dancers we can be, critiques us so that we look our greatest on stage, and encourages us every step of the way. I am so sad this amazing Nutcracker season has come to a close, but I cannot wait to see what my next three seasons will bring. 

- Ava Lebresco

I don’t even know how to put Nutcracker into words. It’s my favorite time of year by far! All of the long Saturdays I get to spend with my best friends, the excitement of that first rehearsal, trying on my tutu for the first time, and of course actually performing on stage are all things that make Nutcracker so special for everyone! I’ll never forget all of the memories that Nutcracker has given me!

- Sophia Alfinito

Nutcracker is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever known. It’s my favorite time of year and I love spending it with my best friends. After doing The Nutcracker for nine years, I would never want to give it up,  I always look forward to it every year! 

- Maizy Pavis

The Nutcracker to me is tradition. It’s been a huge part of my life since second grade and it has been one of my favorite memories I have made with my second family, and definitely moments that I will cherish forever.

- Emily Plichta

Simply put, I love everything about The Nutcracker. I look forward to the long practices and difficult rehearsals because of the opportunities I get to challenge myself and work hard. I love how festive the show is and how it really makes the time feel like the holiday season. Most importantly, I love Nutcracker because I get to spend time with people I love and who inspire me to be a better version of myself.

- Julia Davidson

August through December are the best months of the year because of Nutcracker. Saturday rehearsals are always something I look forward to after a long week of school. Being able to do what I love and be with my best friends for the whole day is so much fun! But nothing can top the performances—dancing on stage and showcasing all of our hard work is the best feeling!

- Heidi Beardsley

I’ve been in The Nutcracker since I was in 1st grade. Needless to say, it means a lot to me. I’ve held many roles, from angel to mouse king and each has a special part in my heart. Not only is the actual production extremely important to me, but the people it has introduced me to makes it ten times better. This community has led me to my greatest friends and some of the best people I’ve ever met. I think Chester Valley has the biggest group of supportive dancers anyone will ever find. I am beyond grateful for the things that I have experienced in performing inThe Nutcracker these past twelve years.

- Emma Burke

Nutcracker with CVDA has become really special to me. After 10 years and even some time off, this past Nutcracker was surely one of the best. I was fortunate enough to work on a challenging role, and my brother even surprised me by joining the party scene! Most importantly though, I had the chance to spend a final weekend of performances with friends who have become family to me. Growing up with The Nutcracker and with this community is so meaningful and I loved how supportive and happy we all were. There’s really nothing like it!

- Angelina Scavitto

There are not enough words to describe how much Nutcracker has always and will forever mean to me. The amount of love, joy, and happiness that fills my heart from August to December is truly indescribable. The friendships and memories we made are so very special to us and the amount of pride I have year after year after for each performance is a feeling I will forever cherish. Nutcracker is something I am so very proud to be a part of each year and I am grateful for the many opportunities it has offered me. 

- Maddie Gaffney

---