Every year, Sacred Hearts Academy gets into the holiday spirit with a student performance of “The Nutcracker.” This year, however, the annual winter dance concert consisted of a medley of different dance styles.

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Dance teacher Felicia Cazares, who is also an Academy alumna, decided to make this change as a way to showcase different styles of dancing–beyond traditional ballet. Dance numbers included styles such as, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, tap and musical theater.

Students also helped choreograph pieces, in order to experience what it is like to be part of the professional dance industry.

Junior Kayla Tam has been dancing at the Academy for five year and enjoyed the change.

“We did something different, which was dancing different styles, instead of just ballet,” she said. “I liked that everyone was included, and no one had their own solo.”