The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory

Photo by Fazzino Photography
The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory
2016 Graduation
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| NUTMEGGRADUATION | THE REGISTER CITIZEN
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About The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory
Now in its fifth decade, The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory was founded by Sharon E. Dante in 1969 in
Torrington, Connecticut. Our mission is to provide professional-level ballet training, education, and performance
experience for exceptional students interested in pursuing a career in dance. Now, 47 years later, The Nutmeg
Ballet is recognized as a leading professional ballet training organization in the United States and is accredited
by the National Association of Schools of Dance.
Throughout the last several decades, The Nutmeg Ballet has produced dancers who have enjoyed outstanding
careers in over 70 companies worldwide. Each summer, The Nutmeg Ballet trains over 200 students who travel
to Torrington from around the world in pursuit of high-level dance training. While our core training is technique
and performance, The Nutmeg Ballet’s philosophy also focuses on the overall development of the student,
thereby building essential self-confidence, deportment and poise.
Located on Main Street in downtown Torrington, The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory is housed in a 50,000
square foot state-of-the-art complex built in 2001. The Nutmeg Ballet’s curriculum, overseen by Artistic Director,
Victoria Mazzarelli ’84 and Ballet Master, Timothy Melady ’85, is based on the classical Vaganova based
fundamental methodology with neo-classical and contemporary training. The school offers residential and
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| NUTMEGGRADUATION | 3
daytime students a full academic program in conjunction with Keystone National High School supervised by
Academic Director, Donna Mattiello ’84. The artistic staff is comprised of choreographers and teachers Susan
Szabo ’78, Joan Kunsch, Eleanor D’Antuono, Alexei Tchernichov, Kirk Peterson, Denise Warner Limoli, Brian
Reeder, Donna Bonasera, Kate St. Amand ’98, and other internationally recognized names in the dance world.
The Nutmeg Ballet maintains a 10-year pre-professional training program for area students.
Since 1969, The Nutmeg Ballet has offered its International Summer Intensive Workshops in the months
of June, July and August. A summer audition tour conducted by Associate Director, Joan Kunsch, and Ballet
Master, Timothy Melady, encompasses over 35 major cities in the United States and abroad as well as at The
Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory headquarters in Torrington, Connecticut.
The Nutmeg Ballet has been invited to perform with the Hartford Symphony, at Jacob’s Pillow International
Dance Festival, and relishes the opportunity to participate in community outreach. We offer a full residential
dance season at Torrington’s Warner Theatre and return annually to The Bushnell in Hartford, CT to dance the
Nutcracker. The Nutmeg Ballet has presented a Ballerina Symposium and has made possible student field
trips to see the Boston Ballet and other professional performances.
For more information on The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory, visit www.nutmegconservatory.org; or call Lisa
Lopez in our Admissions office at 860-482-4413 ext 304.
Meet the Artists & Staff....
SHARON E. DANTE – Founder/Executive Director
Sharon Dante founded the Nutmeg Ballet in December 1969 and has developed a
training program and performance curriculum which have attracted students from
over thirty-four states and a number of countries around the world. Ms. Dante was
responsible for the growth and development of the training program and its related
performance curriculum. During her artistic career, she coached dancers who
participated in international competitions in New York, Paris, Lausanne, Varna, and
Moscow.
After graduating from Endicott College (‘64), University of Hartford (’66), and the
Hartford Ballet, Ms. Dante became a de Rothschild Scholar at the Martha Graham
School in New York City in 1967. She danced as a soloist with the Charles Weidman
Dance Company, Rudy Perez Dance Company, and the Larry Richardson Dance
Company, where she performed principal roles throughout the United States and Europe. Joining the Hartford Ballet
as a performer, faculty member, and assistant to the director in 1969, she was instrumental in the development of that
company’s educational programs throughout New England. Ms. Dante began her extensive study of the Vaganova
syllabus of classical ballet training in 1972. She later became well known for her work based on this method – so much so
that she has been featured on the cover of Dance Teacher Magazine in recognition of her training programs. She is one of
the few Americans to have participated at the Moscow World Dance Competitions in the 1970’s and 80’s. The White House
Commission’s Presidential Scholars Program has twice recognized her as “Distinguished Teacher.” Instrumental in the
resurrection and re-opening of the Warner Theatre in 1984, Ms Dante was a founding member of the City of Torrington’s
Economic Development Commission. She has proudly served several Mayors of Torrington in the role of Artistic Adviser.
From 1997-2001, Ms. Dante and Nutmeg Ballet’s Board of Directors initiated and completed a multi-million dollar
capital project in downtown Torrington. In 2000, the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts was proud to be the recipient of
the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Governor’s Arts Award. Also, in 2001, the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of
Commerce named her “Business Woman of the Year.”
Currently, Ms. Dante serves as Executive Director to the Nutmeg Conservatory, turning over the position of Artistic Director
to Nutmeg Ballet graduate Victoria Mazzarelli, in 2011. She remains committed to continuing her long time relationships
with many Nutmeg Alumni and current students whom she mentors on dance and extended career planning.
In November of 2014, the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council awarded Ms. Dante the CultureMAX award for her Artistic
contributions. She is an avid golfer and a member of the Greenwoods and Eastwoods Ladies Golf League. Her mantra in
life, inspired by former Governor Ella T. Grasso, is “Grow Where You Are Planted.”
JOAN KUNSCH ~ Associate Director & National Audition Tour Director
Now in her 28th year on Nutmeg’s classical ballet faculty, Joan’s 2014-2016 guest teaching
seasons have included a series of classes for the Estonian National Ballet School in Tallinn,
Stockholm’s Balettakadamien for professional freelance dancers; company classes
for Ballet Idaho and Canada’s Ballet Jorgen, and summer intensives at the Maritime
Conservatory, Halifax, NS. She has taught and choreographed in Oslo (Kirkenaer
Ballettskolen), the Swedish Ballet School, London’s Royal Ballet School and RAD Teacher
Training Program, Iceland’s National Ballet School and studios throughout the USA. She
served as Ballet Mistress to MOMIX and Ballet Mississippi, has taught by invitation of
Pilobolus dancers, in university dance departments (Butler, SMU, U. of Utah and SUNYBinghamton). Students she has co-trained have joined over 70 professional companies.
Her choreography includes works for concert stage, sacred space, TV and outdoor sites.
She has written for Pointe Magazine, and produced a poetry book “Playing With Gravity” (Antrim House, 2007) and CD
(2011). With her sister Kathi Byam, she performs in the duo “Flute Meets Poem.” Joan serves on the CT Dance Alliance
Board of Directors.
VICTORIA MAZZARELLI `84 – Artistic Director
Victoria Mazzarelli was trained originally by Sharon Dante and the Nutmeg faculty.
At seventeen she was awarded the only gold medal at the 1984 New York International
Ballet Competition. Invited to join the Basel Ballet in Switzerland under the direction of
Heinz Spoerli, she was quickly promoted to principal dancer. Victoria not only had the
opportunity to dance leading roles in all of the company’s classical repertoire, but also
in works by distinguished choreographers Hans van Manen, Jiri Kylian and William
Forsythe.Victoria’s contact with Forsythe led her to join the Frankfurt Ballet 1990-1996
as principal dancer. During that time she toured extensively, and had the opportunity
to work with Alonzo King, Ohad Naharin, Jan Fabre and Saburo Teshigawara.In 1996
she returned to Switzerland to join the Zurich Ballet, as principal dancer. In the summer
of 2000, Victoria continued dancing as guest artist with the Frankfurt Ballet and the
Schauspielhaus Zurich. In 2001 she returned to Basel to join the newly formed Basel
Ballet under the direction of Richard Wherlock.Ms. Mazzarelli returned to Nutmeg in 2003 to join The Nutmeg Ballet
Conservatory as Associate Artistic Director and was subsequently appointed Artistic Director in 2011. She continues in
this role to date, teaching, coaching and choreographing for the next generation of dancers. She also serves as guest
teacher for MOMIX and as an instructor with Charym where she teaches ballet yoga.
TIM MELADY `85- Ballet Master & National Audition Tour Director
Tim Melady began his training in Connecticut and performed in the premiere of Nutmeg’s
Nutcracker. He attended and graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts. At
18 years of age, Tim became a charter member of Miami City Ballet under the Artistic
Direction of Edward Villella. Later he went on to dance with Ballet du Nord (France) and
ultimately became Kirk Peterson’s principal dancer with the Hartford Ballet where he
danced with Nutmeg graduate Cheryl Madeux (90) and others. In 2000, Tim danced at
the Havana Festival,Cuba, with the Washington Ballet. He then became dancer and ballet
master with the internationally acclaimed MOMIX, under the direction of Moses Pendleton.
In the fall of 2008, he joined the full time faculty of Nutmeg Conservatory as Ballet Master
and serves as Production Stage Manager at major performances. Mr. Melady has
performed in over 45 countries on five continents. Now a teacher, coach and choreographer, he lives in Hartford CT with
his wife Sally and their two children, and dedicates himself to sharing his art with future generations of dancers.
SUSAN SZABO `78 – TSOB School Director & Children’s Ballet Mistress
Susan Szabo (1978) Children’s Ballet Mistress, was trained originally by
Sharon Dante and the Nutmeg faculty, and danced as a soloist with the
Nutmeg Ballet from 1978 to 1982. Prior to that, she graduated from the
Teachers’ Training Program of The Albano Ballet and continued to hone
her teaching with extensive pedagogical training in the Vaganova method
which she uses as a base for children’s training programs at Nutmeg. Joining
the faculty in 1981, she has overseen the children’s rehearsals and training
programs at the Torrington School of Ballet for over 40 years. She remains a
mainstay of the Nutmeg Ballet and is known for her extensive knowledge of
the children’s syllabus.
| NUTMEGGRADUATION | THE REGISTER CITIZEN
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Meet the Artists & Staff....
Donna Mattiello ‘84 - Director of Academics
Born in Torrington, Connecticut, Donna Mattiello began dancing at four years
of age. She was trained originally by Sharon Dante and the Nutmeg faculty,
graduating in the first Nutmeg Graduation Class of 1984. She continued her
dance studies while attending Yale College. Upon graduating from Yale in
1988, she deferred acceptance to the University of Connecticut School of Law to
dance with José Mateo Ballet Theatre (then Ballet Theater of Boston) in Boston,
Massachusetts. Upon graduation from law school in 1992, she worked for the
law firm of Shipman & Goodwin, LLP in Hartford, Connecticut for seven years
prior to returning to her hometown to join the firm of Muschell & Simoncelli,
LLP where she practiced law for six years. She lives in Torrington with her
husband and their five children.
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Eleanor D’Antuono has been Nutmeg’s Resident Coach for over 26 years. At age 14, she joined
the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and partnered by legendary greats Frederic Franklin and Igor
Youskevich, later The Joffrey Ballet, and ultimately American Ballet Theatre, where for more than 20
years she enchanted audiences as prima ballerina. She appeared at the International Ballet Festival
in Havana for several years and was the first American ballerina invited to appear as a guest artist
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Nagy, John Meehan, Fernando Bujones, Ted Kivitt, and Alexander Godunov and many more. Ms.
D’Antuono was a principal faculty member of The Joffrey Ballet, having served as Director of The
Joffrey Summer Workshop in San Antonio until 2005 and was Artistic Director of the New York International Competition since 1996.
She joined the Nutmeg faculty in 1986 after working with Victoria Mazzarelli at the New York International Ballet competition. She
is instrumental in the training of students and is responsible for group and private coaching in the classical ballet repertoire for the
year-round residency program. She lives here in Connecticut with her loving husband John Vrabel.
ALEXEI TCHERNICHOV – Ballet Master
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Born into a ballet family in the former Soviet Union, Mr. Tchernichov was introduced to
classical ballet at a very young age. He studied classical ballet at the Vaganova and Bolshoi
Academies. Alexei danced professionally in the former Soviet Union until he immigrated to
the United States in 1988. Since then he has been teaching classical ballet to young students
at places such as The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory, Skidmore College, The Westover School
and The Woodbury Ballet, to mention a few. He also has taught special classes to the
dancers of MOMIX for several years. Currently he is guest ballet master and artistic adviser
at several schools, and does private coaching. He has returned to The Nutmeg and brings
his incredible repertoire and teaching expertise to our male and female students and is
teaching partnering and regular technique classes. His students have won several awards at the Youth America Grand
Prix, and, have been invited to attend such prestigious schools as the Vaganova School in Russia, New York City Ballet
School, ABT and others. Through Mr. Tchernichov’s mentoring and assistance, many of his students have been able to
obtain positions as professional dancers in companies throughout the United States and Europe.
KIRK PETERSON – Resident Coach & Classical Repertoire Coordinator
Kirk Peterson, most receently Associate Artistic Director of Canada’s Alberta Ballet, for 17
years had a distinguished career with American Ballet Theatre as Principal Dancer, Artistic
Director of ABT II, Ballet Master, and Principal Character Artist and as Master Teaching
Associate for the main company, ABT II, The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at ABT
and the ABT Summer Intensive. He was the innovative Artistic Director of Hartford Ballet
for 5 years, assistant Artistic Director of the Washington Ballet and founding member of
San Francisco’s OMO dancers. He has been a principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet,
English National Ballet, Harkness Ballet, and the National Ballet of Washington and
was a founding member of the Harkness Youth Dancers. He has choreographed over 55
ballets to consistently high acclaim and has worked in diverse theatrical mediums from
ballet and opera to Hollywood, Broadway, London’s West End, television, and regional theatre. He was a bronze medalist
at the 1972 Varna International Ballet Competition and appeared in the films “Center Stage” and “The Turning Point.” He
was resident choreographer of Cincinnati Ballet for 6 years and is an official repetiteur for the Antony Tudor Ballet Trust. A
long time associate and friend of Nutmeg Ballet, Kirk danced in Nutmeg’s first performance in 1970 and has since been
teacher and mentor to many Nutmeg graduates who have gone on to successful careers in dance. In early 2011 he set
the Anthony Tudor ballet “Continuo” for our Impact performances and this year he had been workshopping his new
production of “Swan Lake.”
Susan Fazzino P‘01 - Costume Shop Director
Susan Fazzino has been involved with Nutmeg Ballet for over 23 years. She trained under
the tutelage of former Nutmeg Ballet costume designer Roland Roux and continued with
advanced work designing tutus and ballet costumes through programs in conjunction with
New York City Ballet. She became manager of the Costume Department in 1994 and directs
a dedicated staff of seamstresses and volunteers who design, create, alter and repair the
hundreds of costumes owned by Nutmeg Ballet. A native of Waterbury, Connecticut, she
began creating garments as a teenager and later used her training to teach youngsters to
sew before moving into costume design. Her original designs for Nutmeg Ballet included
all the costumes for Airs Above Ground, as well as new costumes for Nutcracker, Cinderella,
Coppelia, and Nutmeg’s Spring and Summer repertoires. Susan has also designed
costumes for community theater including Rainbow Summer Theatre’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Kiss Me Kate,” and “The
Music Man,” as well as for the Warner Theatre’s productions of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and “Aladdin.”
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The Nutmeg Ballet 2016 Honorees
Kelsey Morris
10 Year Pre-Professional Program
Kelsey Morris, an 18 year old from Morris, CT has trained
at TSOB/Nutmeg since age 3. Kelsey enjoys performing,
and loves both classical and others styles of dance, as well
as musical theatre, photography, music, writing, art, piña
coladas and getting caught in the rain. She has won many
competitive awards for photography, art, and writing. She
has also worked in all aspects of stage lighting, and has
choreographed for Curtain Call Kids. Kelsey is excited to
have this summer to do the many things that she loves.
Riley McGregor
4 Year Pre-Professional Program
Riley McGregor, a 17 year old from Burlington, Connecticut
is excited to be graduating from The Nutmeg and its
Academic program. Highlights from her 5 years at The
Nutmeg include dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy, Les
Sylphides pas de deux, Kitri from Don Quixote and receiving
the bronze medal at the 2015 CT Classic. This summer she
will spend 6 weeks with Ballet Arizona. Riley would like to
thank the faculty and staff for all of the opportunities she
has been given and to congratulate her fellow graduates.
Simone Muhammad
2 Year Pre-Professional Program
Simone Muhammad is a Senior at The Nutmeg, where
she has been a residential student for the past 2 years.
Originally from St.Louis, Missouri, she is excited to
graduate from the 2 year Pre-Professional Program. In
the Fall, Simone will attend the LINES BFA program at
Dominican University of California.
Jennifer Schwartz
4 Year Pre-Professional Program
Jennifer Schwartz is a senior who is finishing her fourth
and final year with Nutmeg. She has greatly enjoyed
her time here, and would like to express her deep
gratitude to everyone involved in making these four
years wonderful. Jennifer would like to thank her family
for their support, as well as The Nutmeg staff for all they
have done for her over the years. She’s looking forward
to being a Trainee at Louisville Ballet.
Olivia Rick
2 Year Pre-Professional Program
Olivia is an 18 year old Senior from Charlotte, North
Carolina. This summer she will attend Atlanta Ballet’s
summer intensive. Next Fall she will start college at
SUNY Purchase, hoping to double major in dance and
communications.
Matanya Solomon
2 Year Post High School Program
Matanya Solomon started dancing at age 14 at Morgantown
Dance Studio in West Virginia. After just one class, he knew he
wanted to become a dancer. He spent 2011 taking modern,
contemporary, ballet, and improv classes, and then began
year round and summer training at The Nutmeg. This
summer Matanya looks forward to attending American
Ballet Theater in NYC for its summer intensive. In the Fall, he
is especially excited to be joining American Repertory Ballet, as
a Trainee, in Princeton, New Jersey. He is grateful to the faculty,
staff, and guest artists with whom he has worked.
Isabel Jennings
2 Year Pre-Professional Program
Isabel Jennings, a Senior, has been a residential student
at The Nutmeg for 3 years. Originally from Winthrop,
Washington, dancing has taken her to Chicago,
New York City and Germany. She is appreciative of
the training and professionalism of The Nutmeg
faculty and is looking forward to pursuing dance at
Marymount Manhattan College.
Erin Troost
2 Year Pre-Professional Program
Erin Troost is 17 years old from Wilton, Connecticut.
She is graduating this year from The Nutmeg’s 2-year
Pre-Professioanl Program and has enjoyed her time
developing her technique. She is excited to attend
Orlando Ballet’s summer intensive for 5 weeks. Soon
after, she will be off to begin her Freshman year at
University of Cincinnati where she will earn her Bachelor
of Fine Arts in Ballet Performance.
Gabrielle Linse
Post High School Program
Gabriella Linse is 19 years old and hails from Seattle,
Washington. She attended The Nutmeg summer
intensives in 2014 and 2015 prior to enrolling this year
as a post-graduate. She has enjoyed performing a
variety of roles with Nutmeg, some favorites being Every
End a New by Brian Reeder and Waltz of the Flowers by
Kirk Peterson. She thanks her family and friends for all
their support and looks forward to being a Trainee at
American Repertory Ballet in the Fall.
Cassandra Punzo
2 Year Pre-Professional Program
Cassie Punzo is 17 years old and resides in Southington,
Connecticut. She is a graduating Senior and has been
training in classical ballet for a total of 4 years. Prior
to discovering a love of ballet, she was a competitive
gymnast. This is her third year attending the Nutmeg
Ballet, and this summer she will be taking part in
Charlotte Ballet’s 5 week summer intensive.
Covington Pearson
Pre-Professional Program
Covington Pearson was born and grew up in Aspen,
Colorado. He has been seriously studying ballet for 3
years now and is very excited to finish his first year at
The Nutmeg. This summer, Covington will be attending
Boston Ballet Summer Intensive on scholarship.
Covington would like to thank all of his teachers for
inspiring him, pushing him, and giving him such a
wonderful opportunity.
Noah Herron
Post High School Program
Noah Herron is a 19-year old from Tennessee. He
started his ballet training at The Nutmeg in the summer
of 2013. He went on to be an apprentice at Charlotte
Ballet for a year before returning to The Nutmeg in
2015. “The sense of community and support from the
staff are what I believe makes this institution thrive, and
creates an environment perfect for the rigorous training
we receive.”
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| NUTMEGGRADUATION | 11
The Nutmeg Ballet Dance Trainees
Alexandra Aiudi
Alexandra Aiudi is 13 years old and is from
Barkhamsted, Connecticut. She started to study ballet
at the age of 4 at the Torrington School of Ballet with
Susan Szabo. This is her first year at The Nutmeg Ballet
and will be attending the 4 week Summer Intensive
again this summer at The Nutmeg. In her free time, she
enjoys biking, playing the piano, cooking, baking and
spending time with family and friends.
Grace Canfield
Grace Canfield is 17 years old and was born in New
Castle, Virginia. She has been dancing from the age
of 4, and by 13 she became serious about becoming a
professional dancer. In the summer, she plans to attend
the Masterclasses in Prague and expand her knowledge
of ballet and contemporary dance.
Megan Curry
Megan Curry is 16 years old and is a Sophomore.
This is her second year at The Nutmeg Ballet as a full
time resident. When she was 13 years old, she began
training in the Torrington School of Ballet with Susan
Szabo. This summer she will attend the Bolshoi Ballet
Academy Summer Intensive in NYC for 6 weeks,
studying with teachers from the Bolshoi Academy
in Russia. She is truly grateful for the support of The
Nutmeg faculty to help her work towards her goals for
the future.
Talia Alicea
Talia Alicea, an 8th grader from Litchfield, Connecticut,
started dancing at a very early age with Susan Szabo
at the Torrington School of Ballet. This is her first year
with The Nutmeg. When she’s not dancing, Talia enjoys
reading, writing, baking, and talking to friends.
Kaliece Carter
Kaliece Carter is 15 years old and is a student at
Torrington High School. This is her ninth year attending
The Nutmeg and its school, Torrington School of Ballet.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, going outside, and
shopping. This summer, she is going to Bossov Ballet
Theater for 1 week and Bolshoi Ballet Academy for 6
weeks.
Tim Dobbins
Timothy Dobbins was born and raised in West Fargo,
North Dakota. He is 17 years old and has been dancing
for 7 years, but started seriously training at 13 when he
went to his first summer ballet intensive. He has been a
residential student at The Nutmeg for 3 years and will
be attending Ballet Arizona’s Summer Intensive as well
as intensives at Next Generation and The Nutmeg.
Sydni Allen
SydniAllenlivesinSimsbury,Connecticutwithhermom,
dad and brother. She is 12 years old, homeschooled
and is in 7th grade. Sydni will be attending The Nutmeg
this summer.
Courtney Collier
Courtney Collier is 17 years old and is originally from
Northern Virginia. This is Courtney’s first year as a
resident student with The Nutmeg. She has been
dancing seriously for 6 years. She has trained in many
different styles of dance, but has realized that ballet is
her passion. Courtney’s dream is to become a dancer in
a professional ballet company. This summer she will be
attending The Houston Ballet Summer Intensive where
she plans to continue her education in the art of ballet.
Alma Evertz
Alma Evertz is 16 years old. She was born in Zurich,
Switzerland and at the age of 3 moved to Torrington,
Connecticut where she began ballet at the Torrington
School of Ballet. She is currently a Junior at Torrington
High School, where she is an honor student. Last
summer, she participated in the International Ballet
Summer School Dresden in Germany. Besides ballet,
Alma enjoys taking hikes, cooking, and making films.
Xavier Branch
Xavier Branch is 16 years old and in his first year of
training at The Nutmeg. Originally from Richmond,
Virginia, Xavier began dancing at 3 years old (jazz and
tap). It wasn’t until he was 13 that he took his first ballet
class at the School of Richmond Ballet, where he was
a student for 2 years. After attending The Nutmeg in
the summer of 2015, he fell in love with the school and
enrolled this past Fall. Xavier would like to thank his
family, his friends, and all of his teachers over the years.
Carlye Collison
Carlye Collison is 16 years old and a Junior from
Cambridge, Maryland. She began dancing at the age
of 3 at Eastern Shore Dance Academy and has loved
to dance ever since. This is her first year training as a
resident student at The Nutmeg. She is excited to be
attending Kansas City Ballet’s Summer Intensive this
year.
Hailey Fairhurst
Hailey Fairhurst is 14 years old and is from Uxbridge,
Massachusetts. She has been dancing since the age of
3 but didn’t start to train seriously until she was 9. This
is Hailey’s first full year at The Nutmeg, after attending
The Nutmeg Summer Intensive in 2015. Prior to her
training at The Nutmeg, Hailey danced at Elevé Danse
Centre.
Brenna Budaj
Brenna Budaj is 16 years old and is from Glastonbury,
Connecticut. She attended Torrington School of Ballet
for 2 years and this is where her love for ballet began.
This is her third year at The Nutmeg as a resident
and academic student. This summer, Brenna will be
attending Amercian Ballet Theatre’s Collegiate Intensive,
Bolshoi Ballet’s Intensive and The Nutmeg’s August
Program.
Mary Colombie
Mary Colombie is a 16-year-old and a Sophomore at
Northwestern Regional High School. This is her fourth
year as a full-time Nutmeg student. She also attended
Torrington School of Ballet for 5 years. She has attended
The Nutmeg’s 4 week summer intensive for the past 2
summers. Last summer, she also attended Kaatsbaan
Extreme Ballet in New York for 3 weeks. In her free time,
Mary is most likely doing her homework, hanging out
with her family, hiking, or having dance parties in the
Premiere Studio.
Riley Gallagher
Riley Gallagher is 13 years old and lives in West
Hartford, Connecticut. She is incredibly happy to
have joined The Nutmeg family this year, and she
looks forward to many more years of dancing at The
Nutmeg. She is in 8th grade and will attend Hall High
School in the Fall; she enjoys science and history. When
she is not dancing, Riley loves playing with her two
dogs, watching movies with her family, and hanging
out with friends. Riley is excited to continue her training
at Joffrey Chicago this summer.
12
| NUTMEGGRADUATION | THE REGISTER CITIZEN
MAY 19-21, 2016
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THE REGISTER CITIZEN
| NEWS | 13
The Nutmeg Ballet Dance Trainees
Alexandra Sasha Gutman
Alexandra (Sasha) Gutman is originally from Austin,
Texas and has left home to pursue her ballet training
which she began at age 9. She trained at the Indiana
Ballet Conservatory when she was 13, competing at the
Youth American Grand Prix and placing in the top 12
in contemporary and the top 24 in classical variations.
She has attended summer intensives at the Bolshoi
Ballet Academy and The Nutmeg. She is now training
at The Nutmeg where she is extremely grateful for
the opportunities that she has received and is looking
forward to the future.
Andris Kundzins
This is Andris Kundzins’ second year with The Nutmeg.
A year-round residential student last year, he is now a
resident of Torrington, Connecticut, as his parents have
moved from Nova Scotia, Canada to enroll both Andris
and his sister, Rachel, in The Nutmeg. This summer,
he will attend Houston Ballet for a 6 week summer
intensive as well as The Nutmeg’s 2 week summer
intensive in August. He is looking forward to next year
and the opportunity to continue his ballet training at
The Nutmeg.
Remmington Olle
This is Remmington Olle’s first year at The Nutmeg.
Originally from Vail, Colorado, she is 17 years old and a
Junior in high school. Remmi will be attending the Alvin
Ailey professional program for 6 weeks this summer.
Nick Keeperman
Nick Keeperman, now 16, started dancing when he
was 4 years old. By age 10, he realized ballet was
his passion, and started taking ballet classes all over
Chicagoland. At 13, he came to The Nutmeg Ballet’s
summer intensive, and then stayed on. He has
participated in many competitions including YAGP,
WBC and the Connecticut Classic, receiving awards and
scholarships from programs all over the United States
as well as in Italy. Nick currently attends The Nutmeg ‘s
year-round program and is looking forward to Houston
Ballet’s Summer Intensive this summer.
Rachel Kundzins
Rachel Kundzins is a native of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Rachel moved last Fall with her family to Torrington
to enroll as a student in the pre-professional program
at The Nutmeg. She is currently homeschooled in 8th
grade. When not dancing, she enjoys baking, drawing
and spending time with her friends.
Emily Quarantillo
Emily Quarantillo is a 17-year-old Junior from Berkeley
Springs, West Virginia. This is her first year training at
The Nutmeg as a resident student. She started dancing
at 3 years old, but started training in ballet at 14 years
old. She has previously trained at Arts Triumphant
Dance Theatre and Vostrikov’s Academy of Ballet.
She looks forward to another year of training at The
Nutmeg before graduating from the 2-year program.
Sophie Kodak
Sophie Kodak is 14 years old and lives with her
mom, dad, and four sisters in Simsbury. She attends
Simsbury High School as a Freshman and loves to read.
In addition to her love of ballet, she loves to spend time
with friends and family and to travel. She will participate
in the Joffrey Chicago Summer Intensive this year.
Natalia Lopez
Natalia Lopez is 13 years old and has danced with
The Nutmeg since she was 7 years old. She lives in
Avon, Connecticut with her family and enjoys school,
particularly math and science. When she’s not in the
ballet studio, she likes to take photos, go shopping,
hangout with friends, and watch Grey’s Anatomy along
with videos of her favorite Royal Ballet dancers. She’s
excited to be training with Bolshoi Ballet on scholarship
this summer before returning to The Nutmeg for her
freshman year of high school.
Autumn Rankin
Autumn Rankin is 13 years old. A student of Torrington
School of Ballet since she was 6 years old, this is her
first full year as a Nutmeg student. Autumn’s passion
is dancing. Her favorite role was Clara in The Nutmeg’s
Nutcracker. When Autumn is not dancing you will find
her crafting, baking, sewing, knitting, and reading. She
is homeschooled and currently taking online courses.
She hopes to pursue dancing as a career.
Ella Kulicki
Ella Kulicki is 12 years old and lives in Simsbury,
Connecticut. Previously a student at The Hartt School,
this is her first year at The Nutmeg. When she is not
dancing, Ella enjoys reading and spending time with
friends and family. She has enjoyed several summer
intensives including The Nutmeg’s Summer Intensive,
“From Studio to Stage” at The Hartt School, and
IBStage in Barcelona, Spain. This summer, she will
return to The Nutmeg and to IBStage in Barcelona to
continue her training with Xiomara Reyes. She is so
grateful to be part of The Nutmeg community!
Ava Mayer
Ava Mayer is a 17 year old Junior from upstate New
York. Before coming to The Nutmeg, Ava trained at
the Decker School of Ballet. This is Ava’s second year
training at The Nutmeg. This summer she will be
studying at the American Ballet Theater’s Summer
Intensive 5 week program in New York City. Besides
dancing, Ava also enjoys drawing, reading, writing,
playing the piano, and biking.
Grace Ratterree
Grace Ratterree is a 15 year old from Charlotte, North
Carolina. This is her first year at The Nutmeg and she
loves studying ballet as well as other forms of dance.
She is very excited to attend Walnut Hill for 5 weeks this
summer to further her dance training and she hopes to
one day become a professional ballerina.
Jesse Kulynych-Griffith
Jesse Kulynych-Griffith is 15 years old and lives in
Simsbury, Connecticut. She has been training at the
Nutmeg for 3 years. She is exited to spend her summer
in Chicago at the Joffrey Summer Intensive. In her free
time, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Anja Nicholson
Anja Nicholson is 18 years old and from Co. Tipperary,
Ireland. Moving to the United States when she was 7,
she began her training at the Nashville Ballet School,
studying there from 2007-2013. In 2014, she came
to The Nutmeg to continue her training. This is Anja’s
second year at The Nutmeg. She will be going to France
this summer to audition for schools for the coming Fall
and to attend workshops in Cannes and Paris.
Kyra Rosenberg
Kyra is 14 years old and is from Southington,
Connecticut. This was her first year at The Nutmeg. She
has been dancing since she was 3 years old but only
started serious ballet training at the age of 13. Prior to
coming to The Nutmeg, Kyra was a competitive team
dancer for 9 years. This summer she will be attending
the Bossov Ballet Summer Intensive for 6 weeks. In her
free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and
photography.
14
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THE REGISTER CITIZEN
| NUTMEGGRADUATION | 15
The Nutmeg Ballet Dance Trainees
Melina Sagar
Melina Sagar is a 14 year old ballerina from Portland,
Oregon. Prior to coming to The Nutmeg this year, she
danced at the Portland Ballet. Melina has attended
summer intensives at Kirov Academy and Bolshoi
Ballet where she will be returning for the third time this
summer.
Julius Taiber
Julius Taiber is 14 years old. He was born in Munich,
Germany and moved to the U.S. when he was 3. He
has studied ballet for 4 years. This is his second year at
The Nutmeg and he will be going to the Ellison Ballet
Summer Intensive this summer. His hobbies include
watching movies and reading.
Jada Schiller
Jada Schiller recently turned 17 years old and is from
Aspen, Colorado. This is her second year attending
The Nutmeg as a resident student. She has been
dancing for 3 years, and enjoys the training here. She
originally danced at Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and was a
competitive figure skater before starting ballet.
Hannah Thompson
Hannah Thompson is 14 years old and is from Tampa,
Florida. This is Hannah’s first year at The Nutmeg as
a resident student. An eighth grader in The Nutmeg’s
academic program, she has been dancing since she was
3. Hannah will be attending American Ballet Theater in
New York this summer for 5 weeks.
Janie Mae Westergard
Janie Mae Westergard, a 16-year old Junior from East
Hampton, Long Island, New York, is a second year resident
student at The Nutmeg. Dancing since she was 3, she has
attended summer intensives at The American Academy
of Ballet, The Kirov Academy of Ballet, and Open World
Dance Foundation. This summer she will be returning to
Open World Dance Foundation for 3 weeks, and then will
spend 2 weeks in Belgium at Brussels International Ballet.
She is thrilled to return to The Nutmeg for her Senior year
next Fall, and is beyond grateful for all the wonderful
teachers and training she has received at The Nutmeg.
Kara Skrubis
Kara Skrubis is 14 years old, lives in Granby,
Connecticut, and goes to Granby Memorial High
School. It is her first year at The Nutmeg and she loves
it! She will be attending Bossov Ballet in Maine for 5
weeks this summer.
Jennifer Vaccaro
Jennifer Vaccaro is 14 years old and has been dancing
since she was 7. She is from Higganum, Connecticut
and this is her first year as a resident student at The
Nutmeg as an eighth grader. Jennifer will be going to
Houston Ballet this summer for 6 weeks.
Whitney Wilson
Whitney Wilson is a 15-year old from upstate New York.
This is Whitney’s first year pursuing a pre-professional
training program for ballet at The Nutmeg. She is
classically trained in piano and enjoys singing and
performing. When she is not practicing piano, she
studies her first passion, ballet, as well as other genres
of dance. Whitney has danced with the Moscow Ballet
in the Great Russian Nutcracker and with the New York
City Ballet in Firebird. Whitney’s professional theater
credits include Annie, Little Women, and Gypsy.
Benton Stivali
Benton Stivali is 16 years old and is from Utica, New
York. This is Benton’s second year at The Nutmeg and
he plans to return next year. In his free time, he enjoys
reading and listening to music.
Nick Vaccaro
Nick Vaccaro is 16 years old and is from Higganum,
Connecticut. This is his second year studying at The
Nutmeg as a full time resident student, he looks forward
to continuing training at The Nutmeg for the duration
of his high school years. In his free time he likes to dirt
bike with friends and race in the Netra Junior Enduro
and Hairscramble Series. He also likes to ski and boat
with family and friends. He is honored to meet talented
dancers from all across the United States and Canada.
Jacqueline Whitmore
Jacqueline Whitmore is 17 years old and is from
Weston, Connecticut. She has been a resident student
at The Nutmeg for 2 years. This summer, Jacqueline
will be attending Dance Theater of Harlem and the San
Francisco Conservatory of Dance.
Demeri Sutula
Demeri Sutula is 17 years old. She is currently a Junior
at Brookfield High School, and has studied dance
since the age of 3. This is her second year training at
The Nutmeg. She will be going to Orlando Ballet this
summer.
Alexandra Wells
Alexandra Wells is 16 years old and is from Cincinnati,
Ohio. This is her first year as a Nutmeg resident student.
She has been dancing since she was 6 years old, though
the first few years mainly consisted of her just standing
in front of the mirror and making faces at herself.
Alexandra plans on attending Oklahoma City Ballet
Intensive this summer along with taking an annual
trip to France to visit her mother’s side of the family. In
her free time, Alexandra loves to cook, do various crafts,
and spend time with her family and friends. She hopes
to one day open her own French restaurant.
Makenna Wollmann
Makenna Wollmann has just turned 17 years old and
is a Junior completing her third year in the academic
program at The Nutmeg. She lives in Burlington,
Connecticut. Makenna first started her ballet training
when she was 7 years old at the Torrington School
of Ballet and is now finishing her third year at The
Nutmeg. She is looking forward to attending Bolshoi
Ballet’s New York Summer Intensive this year.
16
| NUTMEGGRADUATION | THE REGISTER CITIZEN
MAY 19-21, 2016
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MAY 19-21, 2016
THE REGISTER CITIZEN
| NUTMEGGRADUATION | 17
The Nutmeg Ballet’s Community Outreach:
Giving Back to Our Community
Photo by Fazzino Photography
Class of 2016: Noah Herron, Matanya Solomon, Covington Pearson, Cassandra Punzo, Simone Muhammad,
Jennifer Schwartz, Riley McGregor, Kelsey Morris, Erin Troost, Gabrielle Linse, Isabelle Jennings, Olivia Rick
Nutmeg graduates embark upon an exceptional journey
W
hatever their point of origin and regardless of
their relentless pursuit of individual goals, the
twelve graduates of The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory
share the dream of dance and are embarking on a
wonderful journey.
“As our graduation performances arrive, our
students become very excited and emotional. It is
a time of saying good bye and stepping into the
unknown,” said The Nutmeg’s Artistic Director,
Victoria Mazzarelli. “This has been a wonderful year
and I look forward to hearing from our graduates
from time to time as they begin their new lives. Our
hope is that they always keep Nutmeg in their hearts.”
This year, one special Nutmeg graduate, Kelsey
Morris, has completed the 10 Year Professional
Program. A Connecticut native from Morris, Kelsey
began her ballet studies at The Nutmeg’s Torrington
School of Ballet when she was only three. Kelsey,
whose interests range from musical theatre to
photography, art, and stage lighting, is excited to
pursue her passions.
Graduating from the 4 Year Pre-Professional
Program are Riley McGregor (Burlington, CT),
headed to Ballet Arizona this summer, as well as
Jennifer Schwartz (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), joining
Louisville Ballet as a Trainee.
Graduating from the 2 Year Pre-Professional Program
are Isabel Jennings (Winthrop, WA), attending
Marymount Manhattan College; Cassandra Punzo
(Southington, CT), training at Charlotte Ballet;
Simone Muhammad (St Louis, MI) attending LINES
BFA at Dominican University; Olivia Rick (Charlotte,
NC) attending SUNY Purchase in the fall; and Erin
Troost (Wilton, CT) attending University of Cincinnati.
A graduate of the 2 Year Post-High School Program,
Matanya Solomon (Morgantown, WV), joins
American Repertory Ballet as a Trainee.
The Nutmeg Ballet Honorees include Covington
Pearson (Aspen, CO) training at Boston Ballet
this summer; Gabrielle Linse (Seattle, WA) joining
American Repertory Ballet as a Trainee; and Noah
Herron (Knoxville, TN).
When Kelsey Morris and Matanya Solomon step
up to the podium to address their fellow graduates
and students on Saturday, May 21st, they will remind
those in attendance what it means to dream and then
act upon that vision with a sense of commitment,
passion, and relentless discipline. When Moses
Pendleton, Artistic Director of MOMIX and keynote
speaker, who has a long standing relationship with
The Nutmeg Ballet as a parent, performer, and
choreographer, addresses the honorees, he is sure
to captivate the audience with his sly humor, unique
sense of whimsy, and fascinating insight into the
creative process.
The graduation ceremony that takes place in that
beautiful building of brick and steel and glass, will
reveal a journey of many small steps, some graceful,
some powerful, with each step moving toward what
was once but a dream.
The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory takes great pride in participating in community outreach and giveback efforts throughout the year, bringing art into the lives of our local communities. In the past year,
The Nutmeg Ballet’s community outreach has included:
• Presenting The Story of the Nutcracker in collaboration with the Litchfield Library
• Engaging Litchfield pre-schoolers, Torrington elementary school children, and various local
public libraries in mini-performances of Gwendolyn, the Graceful Pig
• Celebrating Columbus Day with a Tarantella at Coe Memorial Park
• Performing classical and contemporary repertoire outdoors in a benefit for The Warner Theatre
• Reaching out to our senior citizens via on-site performances of Nutcracker excerpts for the
residents of Litchfield Woods Health Care Center
• Hosting a drawing Workshop in collaboration with downtown Torrington’s Five Points Gallery
• Entertaining the crowds with dance at Main Street Marketplace in downtown Torrington
• Supporting the arts at the Ted Hershey Dance Marathon
• Dancing The Charleston at the High Stakes in the Hills fundraiser for Connecticut Jr. Republic
Participating in community outreach efforts and sharing the joy of dance is what we do. You may
support these programs by sharing the gift of time, talent, or treasure. To donate, please visit us online:
http://nutmegconservatory.org/support-us/
Drawing on the Arts
When arts organizations collaborate, it’s a beautiful thing to behold!
This spring, Five Points Gallery and The Nutmeg Ballet
Conservatory collaborated on Drawing on the Arts, a series of figure
drawing workshops, that inspired a sense of renewed vibrancy to the
Downtown Torrington arts corridor.
Established and aspiring artists packed up their sketch pads,
charcoal, markers, and pencils to participate in the 2-hour sessions
which took place in Studio
1 of the historic Nutmeg
Conservatory building on Main Street. Easels were provided for the artists
to capture the elegant and graceful figures of The Nutmeg’s classical ballet
students who posed for brief life studies.
This unique collaboration evolved out of the growing relationship between
the two arts organizations nurtured by The Nutmeg Ballet’s Executive
Director, Sharon E. Dante, Artistic Director, Victoria Mazzarelli, and Five Point
Gallery’s Executive Director, Judy McElhone.
The success of this workshop is a testament to the power of collaboration.
In fact, the workshops were such a success, not only were the figure drawing
sessions extended, but some local artists have also been invited into the
rehearsal studio to capture the beauty of the dancers in motion.
Congratulations 2016 Nutmeg Graduates
18
| NUTMEGGRADUATION | THE REGISTER CITIZEN
MAY 19-21, 2016
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016
THE REGISTER CITIZEN
| NEWS | 19
Congratulations to the
P
Co re-S Ne
mi cho w
ng
o
thi l Cla
sS
s
um ses
me
r!
on your Successful Year
TORRINGTON
SCHOOL
BALLET
of
To Registration please visit our office at 58 Main Street, Torrington,
Call 860.482.7375
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, May 28, 11 am - 1 pm & Thursday, June 23, 5 - 7 pm
For more information and to register online please visit our website:
http://nutmegconservatory.org/ballet-programs/torrington-school-ballet/