The lights went down, the curtain went up, Tchaikovsky’s music soared and the sold-out audience cheered for Eugene Ballet’s performance of the Nutcracker. Once again, Pend Oreille Arts Council’s presentation thrilled old and young alike.

From the dazzling costumes to the perfectly performed dance sequences, the Eugene Ballet Company once again delighted the audience with their energy and talent.

Also lighting up the stage were 36 local dance students who had the unique experience of dancing with a professional dance troupe.

For the past ten weeks these classical ballet students learned the choreography, perfected their leaps and pirouettes under the watchful and talented eyes of the staff at Allegro Dance Studio.

Portraying children in the opening scene were Allison Baird, Margo Barton, Lily Bopp, Paula Favorite, Tayla MacDonald, Camille McClelland, Jaden Peratos, AdleeMae Robles, Maisie Rose, Asah Shackelford, Willow Solly, Bella Smith.

Performing as the cutest mice you’d ever want to see were Chanelle Adams, Avery Aumick, Briley Mae Hunt, Lilan Kuhn, Annabelle Leonard, Marilyn Mather, Matilda Prescott, Estella Simmons, Indigo Smart, Leah Trueblood, Erin Tyrrell, and Matilda Wassif

Beautifully dancing the parts of angels were Avery Aumick, Mckinley Burgess-Duquette, Brynlee Kane, Bailey Lindgren, Moira MacDonald, Syrinnia Moon, Grace Peratos, Yaretzi Rosas, Erin Stevens and Aila Tilford.

Bon Bons were amazingly performed by Peyton Bennett, Sophia Binnall, Lily Bopp, Olivia Chavira, Mckinley Burgess-Duquette, Hayden Kane, Syrinnia Moon and Bella Smith.

This event was made possible by the generous donations of local businesses, national and regional arts organizations and individuals in the community. POAC would like to thank Alpine Motors Co., Arbys, Arts Idaho, Best Western, Bonner County Daily Bee, Edward Jones Financial Advisors Ken Wood and Charity Hegel, Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters, Idaho Community Foundation, Innovia Foundation, Joni MacNeill, DDS, KPND, National Endowment for the Arts, P1FCU, Panhandle Alliance for Education, Sandpoint Super Drug, Waterfront Property Management and Yoke’s Fresh Market.

Pend Oreille Arts Council thanks everyone who attended for supporting the arts in Bonner County. For information on how to make a donation toward future productions go to www.artinsandpoint.org or call the POAC office at 208-263-6139.