The Nutcracker was truly a family affair this year for Principal Dancer Xiao Nan Yu (Snow Queen) and Corps de Ballet Member and Elizabeth Marrable (Snow Maiden). Nan’s daughter Ava, age 5, and Elizabeth’s sister Michaela, age 7, are both students at Canada’s National Ballet School and perform the role of the Lambs in The Nutcracker.

We asked each of them to describe this very special season of The Nutcracker:

Nan: This is definitely an extraordinary Nutcracker season for me because my 5 year old daughter Ava and I are performing onstage together. It is easy pick out the ballet gene in her; she feels most comfortable onstage with a large audience watching. It is absolutely priceless to share such a wonderful experience with my daughter.

Ava: I enjoy dancing onstage with Mommy. I like the Lamb costume a lot and I like the part when the wolf comes out and we are all scared and gallop around.

Elizabeth: When I found out that my little sister Michaela would be performing as a Lamb in The Nutcracker, I was overjoyed and couldn’t wait to have her around backstage and onstage with me. Having my sister in The Nutcracker makes this ballet even more magical for me, which I didn’t believe was possible.

Michaela:

[Photo credits: Top, Xiao Nan Yu and her daughter Ava. Photo by Catherine Chang. Above, Elizabeth Marrable and her sister Michaela. Photo by Wendy Liebner.]