July 16, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Dance Studio No. 1’s “Nutcracker Twist”

Classical and contemporary come together for holiday performance.

By Staff Writer

Local, preeminent dance school, Dance Studio No. 1 (DS1), presented their “Nutcracker Twist” at Barnum Hall-Santa Monica High School on December 8 and 9.

The production was conceived of by DS1 artistic director Elizabeth Banke and choreographed by Banke along with Anne Burns and Annalie Cueto Lopez. “The Nutcracker Twist” combined both classical and contemporary elements in order to accommodate Dance Studio No.1’s diverse dance curriculum. The studio specializes in classical ballet, teaching the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) and International Dance Acclaim curriculums while also offering modern, jazz, hip-hop, and acro-dance classes.

The first act of Dance Studio No. 1’s “The Nutcracker Twist” followed a somewhat traditional “Nutcracker” narrative and featured Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday score. With warmth and enthusiasm, DS1 dancers brought the ballet to life from the charming party scene to the technically impressive snow scene. Kara Smale danced the role of the Snow Queen and brought a calm command over the quick-moving number.

DS1’s twist came during the second act within the “Land of the Sweets.” Adaptions of Tchaikovsky’s music by Duke Ellington and various contemporary artists allowed the students to showcase their ballet technique alongside their modern dance and hip-hop abilities.

The Prince Twist was danced by the talented Bradley Moon who recently won 1st place at Youth American Grand Prix San Diego Regionals. Rather than one Sugar Plum Fairy, four Sugar Rum Fairies–Allison Ogulnick, Inbar Brand, Annemarie Rodgers, and Kara Smale–brought a colorful and jazzy take on the variation. Dancing ornaments, cowboys, and Spanish chocolates also made exciting appearances.

DS1’s “Nutcracker Twist” was produced by SoCal Ballet, a 501 c(3) non-profit organization. SoCal Ballet provides local dance students with the opportunity to perform in semiannual recitals and community outreach events. Dance Studio No.1 is the official dance school of SoCal Ballet.

The talented Bradley Moon dances the principal role of the Nutcracker Prince.

Since its founding in 1992, Dance Studio No. 1 has been successfully training dancers in the west Los Angeles area who have gone on to professional training programs like Ballet West, summer intensives such as San Francisco Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet, and prestigious universities like Purchase, Columbia, UCLA, and Princeton.

Dance Studio No. 1 offers a variety of small-sized classes to students ages 3 through 18 to ensure individual attention and through dance training. The studio’s curriculum includes the Young Children Program, Foundation Syllabus Program, Pre-Professional, and Recreational Program.

From the beloved Young Children’s Program up through the advanced ballet classes, DS1 fosters an enduring love of dance in all its students within a supportive environment and engaged community.

Dance Studio No. 1 invites new students with or without training to join their studio in the New Year. Find out more about registration and class offerings on their website, www.dancestudiono1.com.

<>Related Posts

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Electronics to Iran

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm, allegedly orchestrated the scheme since 2018  A 66-year-old Santa Monica...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Film Review: Jurassic World: Rebirth

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“The story is simplistic and predictive, and that’s all it needs to be, because the age-old battle to survive the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

SM.a.r.t.Column: Does the Rand Corporation have a future in Santa Monica?

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“Although no one said it outright, it is clear to all that RAND is feeling—and will continue to feel—the impact...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...