The Flint Institute of Music has a yearly production of the Nutcracker that’s been happening for years now.

During this performance you learn about how the Drosselmeyer’s nephew was turned into a nutcracker because of evil mice.

To break the spell the nutcracker had to have a young girl fall in love with him, so the night of a party the Drosselmeyer gave the nutcracker to a young girl named Clara.

Clara fell in love and the spell was broken, so in return for Clara breaking the spell the Drosselmeyer took her and the nutcracker on a magical journey.

This story shows the different world cultures and the beauty of ballet.

The beautiful dancer who plays Clara is Luisa Cardoso, she began her ballet training at Ebateca Escola de Ballet. In 2014 she moved to Miami, Fl. She received a scholarship to attend the Miami City Ballet school, where then in 2016 she graduated from.

This year was Cardoso’s 7th year performing in the Flint Institute of Music performance of the Nutcracker.

When asked who her favorite ballerina in the Nutcracker was, sophomore, Gracie Root, exclaimed; “Clara because she’s a good dancer, has great technique, and was just all around a beautiful, graceful dancer,” Root exclaimed.

There are many talented dancers in this production of the Nutcracker. Another one of these talented dancers was Fábio Mariano, he played the nutcracker prince.

Mariano started dancing at 14 years old, he trained at Maria Olenewa Dance School. In 2014 Mariano graduated and in 2016 he came to the USA, where he started performing in many ballets.

This is his 6th season performing with the Flint Institute of Music.

Then there is Michael Woodberry-Means, his role in The Nutcracker is the Drosselmeyer. He trained at School of the Dance Theater of Harlem, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Martha Graham Center for Contemporary Dance, and the American Dance Festival. Woodberry-Means was awarded the 2009 Dance Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Dance Council.

Madeline Marshick was another performer, she played a princess, Russian, and big mouse. When asked what her favorite scene to perform, Marshick, told reporters; “My favorite scene to preform was the Russian scene, not only because of how energetic the music is but also the joy the audience gets from watching,” Marshick stated.

Overall this was a beautiful story about a girl and a nutcracker prince, all the performers did an amazing job and put on a great show!