Ballerina Sophie Lee is back on stage in Vancouver, this being her second production of the Nutcracker in as many years with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
The 21-year-old who was born in South Korea and lived and trained as a dancer in Langley starred as the fearless female heroine Clara back in 2012.
Now Lee is back, and is expected to steal the show again, this time performing as a soloist in the Canadian rendition of the famous Christmas story.
The young, up-and-coming dancer started at Langley’s Cameron Academy of Classical Dance prior to joining Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s professional school division – an honour among dancers – at age 14.
Lee graduated from the school in 2010, following a year in its aspirant program before being invited into the company as a corps member.
“We are thrilled to present the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, one of Canada’s leading ballet companies, in this iconic Canadian version of the delightful Christmas story, Nutcracker,†said Ballet BC’s Artistic Director Emily Molnar.
She noted that 70 aspiring young dancers from about 20 Lower Mainland dance schools are also performing in the show.
“This marks the first opportunity for these young dancers to perform with a professional ballet compan,†Molnar said.
The Canadian dance troupe is performing the Nutcracker this weekend at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
The Nutcracker runs Dec. 12 to 14, with 7:30 p.m. shows all three days, and 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, 1-855-985-2787 or online at ticketmaster.ca.