The Nutcracker

Letter from the Artistic Director

Thank you for being here to celebrate 30 years of The Nutcracker at The Berglund Center, a Virginia Blue Ridge ’ s holiday tradition!!! We would like to dedicate this weekends performances to Shields and Ginny Jarrett for their generous support and belief in our organization. Our Holiday season starts long before December, even before Nutcracker auditions in August. For me, it starts every time a student, fellow dancer or former artistic director reaches out to me and fills my heart. They define what it means to give and receive. It is my fortune this year to have them all in my heart. My heart is full as I tell you about our Local Heroes performances this weekend. Thank you to so many generous donors for making this possible. Through our Local Heroes performances, we are honoring our first responders, hospital, grocery, senior living community and veterinary employees as well as Roanoke City employees for their diligent work through this challenging time. Thank you all, from SVB ‘ s Executive Director, Board of Directors and all of us in our community, What better season than Nutcracker season to gush about what fills my heart. It brings to me former dancers who have gone into the world. They reach back to me through social media, graduation announcements, wedding invitations, save the dates, attendance at performances, words of gratitude , or for no other reason than to show their gratitude. I am grateful. I am also so thankful for all of you, and the many volunteers who make Southwest Virginia Ballet productions possible! And to Kim Davidson and the Roanoke Valley Children ’ s Choir for joining us this year! As Martha Graham said, “ Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion. ” Happy Holidays, Pedro Szalay