The Great Russian Nutcracker: Local dance students to perform with Moscow Ballet

Seven students from the Kennett School of Performing Arts (KSPA) were recently chosen to dance with the world famous Moscow Ballet as it presents "The Great Russian Nutcracker."

"The children have this wonderful opportunity to dance with the Moscow Ballet," said Katrina Wallace, dance teacher. "I am so very proud of each and every one of the girls for their successful auditions. I feel privileged that every student from our studio who auditioned was chosen.

"The dancers have practiced hard to be recognized with such a prestigious honor. These students have shown a love and passion for dance."

The students were chosen during the September auditions and include Hannah Davis, 7, daughter of David and Nick Davis of Steele, Mo.; Elaine Graham, 7, daughter of Thomas and Fran Graham of Kennett; Emily Haywood, 12, daughter of Gary and Karen Brown of Kennett; Marie McMullan, 8, daughter of Johnny and Michelle McMullan of Kennett; Hannah Mowrer, 9, daughter of William and Melinda Mowrer of Kennett; Brooke Segraves, 12, daughter of Janiece Segraves of Holcomb, Mo.; and Hunter Timmons, 7, daughter of Bill and Lynette Timmons of Kennett.

Graham, Haywood, Mowrer, and McMullan have been dancing at KSPA since the school opened in 2005 while Davis, Segraves, and Timmons are currently in their second year of dance.

This year's performance will be Haywood's second year in the "Nutcracker."

She will be dancing as a Russian en pointe. She is currently enrolled in Pointe Ballet, Hip-Hop & Jazz II, and Lyrical II.

Segraves will be dancing as an angel in this year's performance. She attends classes in Ballet IV, Lyrical II, and Hip-Hop & Jazz II.

McMullan, Mowrer, Timmons, and Graham are enrolled in Pre-Pointe Ballet and Lyrical I.

Mowrer and Timmons will also be dancing as angels.

McMullan will be dancing as a party guest and Graham and Davis will be dancing as snowflakes.

*Davis is enrolled in Ballet I and Jazz I.

During the past few months, the students have added additional classes created specifically for the "Nutcracker" to their schedules and traveled to Memphis for rehearsals at the Bartlett Academy of Dance.

This year marks the 16th anniversary of the Moscow Ballet's U.S. tour presenting "The Great Russian Nutcracker." Over the years, the Moscow Ballet has increased the size and scope of its tour, adding Cinderella, Swan Lake, Carmen, and Sleeping Beauty to its schedule.

The Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker" will be presented at the Cannon Center in Memphis at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008.

The KSPA, located at 603 First Street, opened in 2005 and currently has 130 students enrolled for the 2008-2009 year. KSPA employs two dance teachers, Katrina Wallace and Chrissy McCormick. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday in ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz, and hip-hop for children and adults ages 2 and up.

For information about tickets or dance classes, contact the KSPA at (573) 888-3262 or the Canon Center at (901) 576-1269.