I will never forget how the smell of hairspray, tulle and pointe shoes welcomed so many of my holiday seasons.  How the sight of tiny baby mice and toy soldiers brought such delight to the audience.  How Drosselmeyer’s deep laugh echoed down the hallways before every single performance.  Or, the internal magic and pride I felt as the snow slowly drifted down like soft powder and enveloped the sea of tutus that surrounded me during my first professional performance of the snow scene.  I will never forget the magic of The Nutcracker.  No matter how old I get, when I hear a well-known nutcracker song I am immediately transported back to the smells, sights, and sounds that filled my life with so much dancing joy!   I am deeply honored and humbled to share this holiday tradition with my dance family and community.  Cheers to another magical season of dance!