New Dance Company Will Perform 'The Nutcracker' Dec. 8

A new dance company that recently opened up in Avon is hosting its inaugural performance, The Nutcracker, on Dec. 8 at the Avon Ballroom. The performance features students from ages 4 to 13.

The Lakeshore DreamDance Company, which specializes in Russian Vaganova Ballet, has been operating out of the Avon Ballroom in Chester Square since late last summer.

“We are the first company training this method since Cleveland Ballet and Marquerite Duncan closed,” owner Leisa Mullins said.

Mullins, who studied at the Marquerite Duncan School of Dance, said the dance will feature 20 performers, including Mullins’ two sets of twins, ages 8 and 7, who she said were her “inspiration” for starting the company. Mullins was on hand for a recent rehearsal, as was head instructor Megan Kelly, who studied with The Rock School of Ballet and Ballet Theatre of Maryland.

The vast majority of the students are from Avon and Avon Lake.

At a recent dress rehearsal, the girls took turns practicing numbers in full costume to traditional Nutcracker music.

Jillian Kokai will play the part of Clara, twins Livvee and Sage Mullins are the snow princesses (twins in the white tutus). Twins Brielle and Simone Mullins and Chloe Harpsoe play the Candy Cane girls, complete with hula hoops and Michelle Wozniak and Grace Nussle are flowers.

The Mother Gingers are Becca Iannello, Amara Wagner, Brooke Millet, Claire and Rebecca Zakel and Abbey and Katie Schuler. The hip hop sugar plum fairies are played by Ana Kopf, Alex Schuler and Kaley Stearns.

The Holiday Nutcracker event includes the performance, refreshments, raffles with Chanel sunglasses, a Christmas gift shop for girls, pictures with Santa and more.

The performance is Saturday, Dec. 8 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at 35840 Chester Rd. in Avon (Chester Square, just east of SR 83).

Tickets are $10 for adults, $4 for kids and children 3 and under are free. Tickets are available by calling 440-371-8282.

Mullins said the company will be opening a location in Learwood Square in Avon Lake in December.

“We offer classes from ballet to lyrical to liturgical and we stand for no suggestive music or dancing,” she said.