JAMESTOWN - The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet is pleased to announce that Robbie Fairchild, Principal Dancer with the New York City Ballet and Amanda Weingarten, most recently Soloist with the Miami City Ballet will be Guest Artists in CRYB's upcoming Nutcracker Ballet on Saturday and Sunday.
Robert Fairchild, who will dance the role of the Cavalier, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and began his dance training at Dance Concepts at the age of 4 with Rebecca Bateman and Kaelynne Oliphant. His formal ballet training began at the age of 10 at the Ballet West Conservatory with Sharee Lane. Other various teachers include: Laura King, Trey Barber, Brooke Healy, and Jaqueline and Heather College of Utah Regional Ballet.
Fairchild attended the 2002 and 2003 summer courses at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, and enrolled as a full time student in the fall of 2003. In June 2005, Fairchild became an apprentice with NYCB, and the following June, he joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet. He was promoted to soloist in May 2007 and in October 2009 was promoted to Principal Dancer
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Amanda Weingarten, who will dance the Sugar Plum Fairy, was born in Dunedin, Florida and began her dance training at the age of 5. She trained with the Florida Ballet School for almost 10 years under the superb training of Daniel Deal, Roni Wright and Mary Devine. Later she trained under Haydee Gutierrez at the Classical Ballet Training Program.
Weingarten attended the 1999 summer course at the Orlando Ballet, the 2001 summer course at The Harid Conservatory, and the 2000, 2002, and 2003 summer courses at the School of American Ballet before enrolling as a full time student with SAB in 2003. In 2004, Weingarten became an apprentice with the Miami City Ballet and a year later became a corps de ballet member with the Company. She was promoted to soloist in January of 2010. Weingarten has also made appearances with the New York City Ballet and Suzanne Farrell Ballet companies.
The production has become a holiday tradition for many families and this year's production promises magic, excitement and inspiring performances for everyone. Artistic Director, Monika Alch says, "We are thrilled to give our young dancers the opportunity to share the stage with such incredible guest artists and also thrilled to give our community the opportunity to see dancers from two renowned ballet companies perform here in our community."
The Nutcracker tells the classic story of Clara who falls into a deep, dreamy sleep after an exciting holiday party at which Herr Drosselmeyer presents her with a gift of a nutcracker. As she dreams, Clara embarks on a fantasy journey with her nutcracker prince beginning with an exciting battle with the Rat King and his army of mice followed by a visit to the magical Kingdom of Sweets. There, they meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court of sweets who offer to perform their favorite dances in Clara's honor.
CRYB Executive Director Elizabeth Bush said that in addition to the treat of seeing Weingarten and Fairchild dance, the audience will also be impressed by the caliber of performance presented by CRYB ballet students. Solos such as the Arabian, Snow Queen and Dew Drop will be performed by CRYB advanced students, and almost 70 other cast members including both CRYB students and community members will round out the cast.
Public performances are scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets may be reserved by calling the Reg Lenna Box Office at 484-7070.
Sponsors of this year's Nutcracker include the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, Inc. and M&T Bank. The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet (CRYB) is a not-for-profit organization that provides high-quality classical ballet instruction to youth from Chautauqua County the surrounding areas.
