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Nutcracker Sisters Dancing siblings help bring back holiday classic
PHOTOS BY CHRIS MORTENSEN
Sisters Jasmine and Kalea Harrison, along with sisters Francisca and Isabel Bugacov, are dancing in this year’s “Nutcracker” by Westside Ballet on Santa Monica College’s Broad Stage. By Bridgette M. Redman he dancers of Westside Ballet were eager to get back on Santa Monica College’s Broad Stage this year and perform the perennial favorite “The Nutcracker” for the large audiences that they missed last year. The show opened last weekend and will continue for three shows this coming Saturday and Sunday. It is a performance that will welcome back a former dancer in the principal role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and feature a set of twins and two members of a set of triplets in several other roles. Daniella Zhou, a high school senior, returned from Miami to
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dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Zhou joined Westside Ballet when she was 11 and has danced with them for the past nine years — until this past August when she was offered a place with the Pre-Professional Division at Miami City Ballet for their 2021-2022 season. “(Daniella) ascended through the levels by her natural talent, combined with a strong work ethic, strength and sublime artistry,” said Martine Harley, Westside Ballet’s artistic director. “She brings incredible variety and distinctive traits to whatever she dances. Her composure, grace, dedication and humility –– both on and off stage –– are quite rare. We are
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absolutely elated to have Daniella make her debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy in our 2021 return-to-the-stage “Nutcracker” production, which promises to highlight Daniella’s gorgeous style.” The former Santa Monica resident is thrilled to be returning to dance in “The Nutcracker.” “I’m honestly just excited to go back and see the teachers I’ve known for years and the people who helped me get where I am,” Zhou said. “I haven’t seen The Broad Stage for a while. We missed a whole year and that is such a special place to me. I’m so excited to be back in the theater and perform for a big
audience again.”
Sisters dance in featured roles It’s a sentiment echoed by many of the other dancers in the troupe — including a set of twins and two of a set of triplets dancing in this year’s “Nutcracker.” Jasmine and Kalea Harrison, juniors at Notre Dame Academy High School, and Francisca and Isabella Bugacov, freshmen at New West Charter High School, all expressed how eager they were to be back on The Broad Stage. Jasmine and Kalea, 17, who are triplets along with their brother, Derek, will be sharing the role of
the Snow Queen and Dew Drop. Jasmine will also dance the part of Lead Mirliton and Kalea will perform in the Arabian Dance. Francisca and Isabel, 14, share the role of Lead Chinese, Side Spanish, Side Mirliton, and the Snowflakes and Flowers Dance. “This is our ninth time — we love ‘The Nutcracker,’” Jasmine said. “It’s one of the reasons we like ballet so much. Performing it is such a nice feeling, especially at The Broad Stage. The Broad Stage is such a fun place. With the stage lights and costumes, it’s all just very exciting and a change from our day-to-day ballet classes.” Francisca said this is their fourth year doing the Nutcracker — counting the slimmed down version done last year during the height of the pandemic. “It is so exciting to showcase the months of work we’ve done in the studio,” Francisca said. “With the costumes, lights and audience, it’s very fulfilling.” Jasmine said that while last year was fun, she is excited to have a bigger audience once again, to return to the dressing room and be back on the stage that they love. Kalea echoed the sentiment, saying that last year they had to perform for a very small audience — just parents and maybe a few siblings. She’s excited now to perform for a large audience. “It makes you feel like a real dancer,” Francisca said. “The studio is an at-home feeling, whereas being on The Broad Stage makes you feel like a professional with the stage makeup and lights and marks on stage. It is much more serious.” Isabel pointed out that last year they weren’t allowed to do the big group or core dances because of the need to be socially distant. This year, they are once again doing a full production, which means the large numbers like Snow and Flowers. “I’ve learned more,” Isabel said. “I’ve learned how to be a reference space, how to stay in formation better. When you’re looking for the marks on stage, it comes with its challenges, but I’m excited to be back on the stage.”
Juniors perform principal roles Jasmine and Kalea are two of the top dancers in the pre-professional company. “Kalea and Jasmine are remarkably talented sisters whose
