A Month of Transitions
November marks the transition from introductory instruction to the next stage of training–preparations for our annual ballet examinations. This month we celebrate achievements both in and beyond the studio as excitement builds for the December 4 opening of the 35th season of The Nutcracker. We take you behind the scenes of the rehearsal process, share news from our instructors and alumni, and highlight ways to support our dancers and recognize their hard work. Read on for the latest studio updates and important dates for your calendar!
Here is what’s happening this month at the Leica Hardy School of Dance.
In This Issue:
- Bringing The Nutcracker to Life
- Recycle for KiDanCo | Support Our Dancers Through Recycling
- First Pointe Lessons – Attaching & Tying Ribbons
- Instructor & Alumni News:
- Anastasia Wiebe Performs at Fall For Dance North
- Celebrating Hazel Oxner’s Ballet Journey
- Alumni Post-Secondary Studies & Talent Trust Recipients
- Studio Updates:
- Ballet Exam Preparations
- Fall Class Viewing Days
- Nutcracker Group Discount Ticket Distribution
- November Important Dates
From the First Rehearsal to Opening Night: Bringing The Nutcracker to Life
We are now in our final month of rehearsals leading up to the December 4 opening night of our 35th Nutcracker season! Here is a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the rehearsal process that began in mid-August, highlighting the various stages involved in bringing this beloved ballet to the stage.
A Time-Intensive Rehearsal Process
Presenting dance on stage is one of the most time-intensive rehearsal processes in the performing arts. Every movement, musical nuance and stylistic detail requires the careful attention of the choreographer, rehearsal directors and dancers. At the same time, dancers must develop artistry, precision, and coordination while memorizing every moment of the choreography. Meanwhile, the corps de ballet, or “body” of the ballet, must learn to move in musical and stylistic synchronicity.
Rediscovering the Choreography
Re-staging an existing work adds another layer to this process: preserving the integrity and spirit of the original choreography while guiding dancers towards a performance that feels alive and authentic. For returning cast members, early rehearsals provide an opportunity to revisit steps and refresh memories as they reconnect with familiar roles. For new cast members, however, this stage involves learning the choreography while developing a personal connection with the work.
Bringing It All Together
As rehearsals progress, we enter the cleaning process, during which details are refined, dancers grow into their roles, and individual elements begin to come together. During this stage, artistic interpretations are explored and polished, while musical timing, spatial relationships, and movement quality receive particular attention. Gradually, through this careful process, the separate parts of the ballet transform into a cohesive, unified performance.
The Final Countdown
Production Week is our packed final week of rehearsals, when the focus shifts to preparing for the realities of the theatre. First, blocking rehearsals establish positions and spacing to suit the stage dimensions. At the same time, traffic flow in the wings, set movements, and scene changes are carefully drilled. Meanwhile, dressing rooms are assigned, and quick changes are practiced with the wardrobe team.
Mid-week, a run-through in costume allows dancers to identify and adjust to any issues or restrictions a costume may present. The orchestra rehearsal then introduces the dancers to the experience of performing with live music, giving them an opportunity to adjust to the sound and coordinate tempi with the conductor. Finally, Preview Night provides the dancers their first experience of performing for an audience before the final preparations lead us to opening night.
And Then, the Magic Begins
From the first rehearsals in August to the final moments before the curtain rises, months of dedication, collaboration, and attention to detail go into creating the performance audiences see on stage. Ultimately, when the music begins on December 4, all that hard work comes together as dancers, musicians, and production teams bring the magic of The Nutcracker to life for our 35th season.
For more information about the production, please visit The Nutcracker & Clara’s Gifts page.
Recycle for KiDanCo | Support Our Dancers Through Recycling
Recycling Supports Our Dancers
KiDanCo is the pre-professional training company at the studio. Did you know your everyday recycling can help support KiDanCo?
The company is a registered Nova Scotia non-profit and is registered at two local Dartmouth recycling depots. When you return your bottles and cans, simply indicate KiDanCo, and the recycling proceeds will be directed to the company.
This initiative makes it easy for families and community members to support our dancers through something they already do every day – recycling.
The next time you visit the recycling depot, remember to indicate KiDanCo and help turn recycling into opportunity.
Where can I recycle for KiDanCo?
- Bluenose Bottle Exchange
99 Woodlawn Road
902-435-7178 - Canadian Recycling
365 Portland Street
902-469-8770
♻️ Thank you for supporting KiDanCo and our dancers.
First Pointe Lessons – Attaching & Tying Ribbons
Our Level 7 students have begun taking their first steps on pointe!
Correct placement and attachment of ribbons and elastics is not only important functionally, but also aesthetically. Ribbons must be attached in the correct location to pull the shank of the shoe into the dancer’s arch and provide support for the ankles.
Learning to tie ribbons properly is a large part of this process. Ribbons must be tied with adequate tension but not impede movement of the ankle and Achilles tendon. The final square knot that ties the ribbons together must be secure and hidden from view.
Instructor & Alumni News
Anastasia Wiebe Performs at Fall For Dance North
Instructor Anastasia Wiebe was thrilled to perform Devil’s Intervals at the October 2026 Fall For Dance North Festival in Toronto. Choreographed by Lydia Zimmer, the piece is the perfect vehicle for her talents.
Lydia is a Nutcracker alumna and former student from my time at Halifax Dance, who went on to study dance at the Boston Conservatory. Her company, Zimmerdans, presents her unique and compelling choreography.
Celebrating Hazel Oxner’s Ballet Journey
Many longtime students will remember Hazel Oxner, who studied at LHSD from 2016 to 2022. The family then moved to Australia, where she has been training with Claire Campbell-Mahon.
Claire and Hazel contacted me earlier this fall to share that Hazel will be entering the full-time pre-professional training program at the Australian Ballet School this coming January. Congratulations Hazel!
Alumni Post-Secondary Studies & Talent Trust Recipients
Congratulations to two LHSD alumni who have received Nova Scotia Talent Trust Awards to further their studies in the performing arts. The two recipients are:
- Samira George – The multi-talented Samira continues her post-secondary violin studies in Montreal with the support of a Nova Scotia Talent Trust Award.
- Nadia Tonen – Nadia is in her second year of musical theatre studies at Sheridan College in Toronto.
- Brandon Winton – Brandon is in his second year in the Dance Performance program at Toronto Metropolitan University and is the proud recipient of a Nova Scotia Talent Trust Award.
Studio Updates
Ballet Exam Preparations
Preparations have begun for our annual ballet examinations with the Society of Classical Ballet – Vaganova Method, which will take place on February 26-27. We are currently setting the presentation exercises in all of our ballet classes. Students will receive invitations to participate later in the fall term, and fees will be due early in January. If you have any questions about the exam process, please speak to Michelle or Leica.
Fall Class Viewing Days
This year, our fall term class viewing days will take place from November 7 to 13th. Family members and friends are invited to view classes throughout the week and celebrate our students’ hard work and progress. It is also a wonderful way to observe the beginning of the exam presentation process in our ballet classes.
Nutcracker Group Discount Ticket Distribution
Group discount tickets for The Nutcracker are now available for pick-up from your instructor. After November 26, remaining tickets will be taken to the Dalhousie Arts Centre box office for pick-up.
November Important Dates
- 7-13: Fall class viewing days
- 9: Nutcracker stage rehearsal night at Dalhousie Arts Centre – classes running as usual
- 11: Remembrance Day – classes running as usual
- 14: NWCC Craft Show Day – no scheduled classes
Photo Credits:
- Featured Image: Photo of (L-R) Phoenix Huszagh, Elyse Crober and Ivanka Holmes by Leica Hardy.
- Bringing The Nutcracker to Life
- Top photo: Charis Greeley rehearsing the battle scene by Leica Hardy.
- Bottom photo: Pat Richards with a child from the 1991 premiere season. Photo by Fred Greene, courtesy of Symphony Nova Scotia.
- Recycle For KiDanCo: Photo of Maggie Oates-Johnson by Yukiko Asada.
- First Pointe Lessons: Photo of (L-R) Kaitlyn Liang, Phoenix Huszagh, Elyse Crober and Ivanka Holmes by Leica Hardy.
- Anastasia Wiebe Performs At Fall For Dance North: Anastasia Wiebe in Devil’s Intervals by Lydia Zimmer. Photo by Kevin MacCormack.
- Celebrating Hazel Oxner’s Ballet Journey: Photo of Hazel Oxner courtesy of Classical Coaching with Claire Campbell-Mahon.
