Eight-year-old Tegan Leung recently got an early Christmas present that also gets unwrapped before the big day.
The Richmond youngster was chosen for a pair of roles in the upcoming holiday season classic production of Goh Ballet’s Nutcracker.
Tegan, who has been dancing since she was a toddler, will play a soldier and angel in the show that runs Dec. 18 to 21.
According to Goh Ballet, the selection gives Tegan, a Grade 4 student at Vancouver Montessori School, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform alongside world-class dancers, including Paloma Herrera, a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.
Asked which of the two roles she prefers, Tegan said, “I think I like the angel more. But what I like most about dancing is that I get to move, and I love the fast movements.”
Rehearsals started this past weekend and Tegan admitted she can be a little shy when it comes to performing, but was looking forward to her time on stage.
Tegan’s mom, Wanda Lai, said she introduced he daughter to the world of dance.
“Like most moms of little girls I wanted to dress her in pink tutus and thought it would look really cute,” she said. “I never took dancing when I was young. And I found Tegan really liked moving to music and she has loved it ever since.”
While the parts in the production — the city’s largest rendition of the Nutcracker— are small, Lai said Tegan is excited.
“She’s always loved performing. The lessons are great, but what really excites her is the chance to be in front of people. She may be a little shy in person, but she’s a different little girl on stage,” Lai said. “So, year-end shows and competitions — all those she loved. So, I think this will be a very good experience.”
The Nutcrackerruns Dec. 18 to 21 at The Centre in Vancouver Centre (777 Homer Street) with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra providing Tchaikovsky’s memorable score.
For more information, visit gohnutcracker.com.
