Local girl to perform in the  Albany Berkshire Ballet Nutcracker

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Hundreds of student dancers will perform with the Albany Berkshire Ballet (ABB) this season on the 43rd annual tour of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. The coveted role of Clara will be performed by 11-year-old Granby native, Emily Rickis for the one o’clock matinee performance on Dec. 16 at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Mass.
This will be Emily’s sixth year performing in ABB’s Nutcracker. Her past roles include reindeer, mini mouse, clown and first act party child. Emily is excited to share this experience with friends from her dance studio that have been cast in the same show. Emily is in sixth grade at Granby Memorial Middle School and has been dancing at New England Dance and Gymnastics Center for nine years.
When asked what advice Emily would give to a young dancer dreaming of a role like Clara, she responded, “Never give up on your dreams. Keep working hard and practice every day. Hard work pays off.” Emily feels honored to be chosen for this role. “It’s an amazing opportunity to dance the main part on the big stage with professional dancers. I can’t pick just one thing I’m excited about because there are so many great things about this role. It really is a dream come true for me.”
Emily was recently featured on WWLP’s Mass Appeal and performed with fellow cast members at The Nutcracker Tea Party at Storrowton Tavern in West Springfield, Mass.
Tickets can be purchased through the Symphony Hall box office in Springfield at www.symphonyhall.com for the Dec. 16, 1 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. show (student cast will vary).