Two Middle School Students Are Named To The Nutcracker Ballet

Two students who attend Spring Branch ISD middle schools have been cast in an upcoming Houston Repertoire Ballet (HRB) production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

The ballet’s cast members include Kayla Nguyen of Spring Branch Middle School and Manuela Rivillas of Memorial Middle School.

“The goal of HRB is to give young, talented, dedicated dancers the serious training needed for them to enter the professional world of dance, and many of them advance to professional ballet companies throughout the country,” the ballet group said in a press release announcement.

HRB graduates have danced with New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, and other prestigious companies, the ballet group states.

The Ballet’s 14th annual performance of The Nutcracker will feature alumni Elizabeth Keller (Principal, Ballet Idaho) as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Jared Matthews (Principal, Houston Ballet) as the Cavalier. The Cypress Philharmonic performs, directed by Glynnes Lanthier.

Founded by nationally acclaimed teachers and choreographers Victoria Vittum and Gilbert Rome, HRB is celebrating its 20th anniversary season.  In recent years, their productions of The Nutcracker have sold out, resulting in additional performances. Performances are planned Dec. 4-6.

For tickets, please visit www.hrbdance.org.