Mia Saunders Ballet Presents Holiday Classic: The Nutcracker

The Mia Saunders School of Ballet (MSB) celebrates the twenty-seventh anniversary of its winter tradition of performing as a gift for others with a production of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker on December 7 and 8, 2019 at 3:00 pm in the Centreville High School Auditorium located at 6001 Union Mill Road in Clifton. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the scholarship fund of the Centreville High School Drama Boosters and to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Each winter the Mia Saunders School of Ballet proudly continues its winter tradition of performing as a gift for others. The students perform in The Nutcracker and their parents and other volunteers contribute their talents towards the production of the performance, making this a family and community event. This long-standing tradition has given generations of aspiring dancers the opportunity to share the beauty of performing in The Nutcracker and giving the gift of dance.

The 2019 production of The Nutcracker marks the first for new MSB Artistic Director Hannah Woodruff an alumna of MSB and 2017 graduate of University of Virginia. Woodruff took over for MSB founder Mia Saunders after her retirement from active teaching and school management earlier this year. Woodruff is joined in teaching by two fellow MSB alumni Carrie Leaman and Jeanne Marie Schierling and by fellow University of Virginia graduate, Taylor Gestwick who manages back office operations.

Says Woodruff, “As I learned to dance, MSB became my second home. I cherish the shared memories, relationships, and experiences from my time as a student. To teach and direct in the same classroom I grew up in was once only a dream. With this opportunity, I strive to promote the same inclusive and inspiring environment that molded me into the dancer I am today.”

“Ever since my first Nutcracker at MSB, 7 years ago, I have dreamed of playing the role of Clara. That’s why I am very excited to be a part of this year’s Nutcracker. It has made my love for dance grow even more,” said Gowri Menon, an eighth-grade student at Liberty Middle School.

Madeline Mezynski, eighth-grade student at Rocky Run Middle School, agrees. “I am grateful and thrilled to be a part of this season’s Nutcracker. I’ve always admired the performances of those that have played Clara before me. I hope this performance will share my joy for the Nutcracker as well as bring Holiday Cheer to everyone.”

Adds Marianne Schierling, senior at Paul VI Catholic High School, “I have been dancing in the Nutcracker with Mia Saunders Ballet since I was in Kindergarten, and I am excited to play the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in this year’s production. Being a part of Mia Saunders Ballet has helped shape me into who I am today, and I am honored and blessed to help carry on her tradition of giving back to the community through dance."

Tickets prices are $12 for each performance. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

About Hannah Woodruff and the Mia Saunders School of Ballet:

Hannah Woodruff: An MSB alum, Hannah Woodruff began training at the age of 3 before moving to the Mia Saunders School of Ballet in 2002.

While dancing at MSB, Hannah trained with the Kirov Academy of Ballet in DC and performed at the Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center with the Maryland Youth Ballet. Hannah was captain of the Centreville High School Dance Team and attended the Virginia Governor's School for Visual and Performing Arts summer program. In 2017, Hannah graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Systems and Information Engineering. As part of her Dance minor, Hannah developed her expertise with classes in ballet, modern, jazz, improvisation, composition, dance history, and dance production. She choreographed and performed in annual collegiate dance concerts in faculty, guest artist, and student pieces, including performing at the American College Dance Association regional conference.

Hannah has taught high school and adult ballet classes in Charlottesville, VA, and currently dances with the AVA Dance Company in Arlington, VA.

Mia Saunders established the Mia Saunders School of Ballet in the Centreville-Clifton area in 1987, teaching in the Little Rocky Run community. Ms. Saunders is a second-generation dancer who received her early training at her mother’s Margery Carroll School of Ballet in New Jersey. Saunders went on to receive her professional training in New York City at the American Ballet Theatre School under the direction of Madame Maria Swoboda, Leon Danielian, Jurgen Schneider, and Patricia Wilde.