The Civic Ballet of Volusia County congratulates each of their Seniors performing in their final Nutcracker Dec 7th & 8th at the Peabody Auditorium. Tickets to the 2019 Nutcracker performances, Sugarplum Tea, and VIP Experience are on sale now. Event Details Click Here
The Volusia Mom had a chance to interview these talented senior performers! Their grace is to be admired and yes I am taking some great notes for my three year old budding ballerina!
Becca Gillespie
Rebecca “Becca” Gillespie is an Honor Roll student in the International Baccalaureate program at Spruce Creek. She is the President of the NHSDA chapter at Creek, along with being a member of the SEA club. She has been a member of the Civic Ballet for over 7-years and has been dancing since preschool. Rebecca hopes to pursue a career in dance and dreams to one day perform as a Radio City Rockette.
Gabriella Pepburn
Gabriella (Gabby) Peburn will be performing in her 9th Civic Ballet of Volusia County Nutcracker this season. She has danced for 14 years, and has been at South Beach Dance for the last 5 years. Gabby has a passion for science and hopes to study aerospace engineering and double major in dance at UF. She is the founder and Editor in Chief of the school newspaper, The Green Print. She serves as Vice President of the National Honor Society, and is active in the Mu Alpha Theta Math, Spanish, Dance Arts and Thespian National and International Honor Societies at Father Lopez.
Joe McIlvenna
Joey Mcllvena is a Mainland High School graduating Senior in his fourth Nutcracker production. He is in the ROTC and T.V. Production program at his High School, where he has starred as “Joey Mac & Cheese” for the school’s news show. Joey has been part of the KEDA dance family for 7-years and continues to dance in many shows.
Vasilia Serafimova
Vasilia is an AP, Dual Enrollment, and Honors student at Father Lopez Catholic high school. As she celebrates her tenth year performing in The Nutcracker, Vasilia is grateful for all of the memories and friends she’s made throughout the years. She’s excited to where dancing will take her in the future, and wants to continue studying the art of dance in college. Aside from dance, Vasilia is also senior class VP and is Lopez’s Varsity tennis team captain, playing number one singles and doubles. Last year she was awarded “MVP” and 1st Team -Girls Tennis- All Star Preps Best of Volusia/Flagler.
Grace Perry
Grace Perry will perform her 9th and final Nutcracker this season. Grace has always been homeschooled and is currently dual enrolled full time at DSC. Grace has loved dance since an early age and has danced for 14 years, which is most of her life! She loves dancing at her studios FSOD and FREED. Grace has acted in many of FREED Performing Art’s plays and has taught dance for homeschool students at CHAT for 4 years. Grace is full of life and loves spending time with friends and family.
How long have you been dancing?
Becca I have been dancing for about 15 years
Joe This is my 7th year dancing at Kinetic Expressions Dance Academy.
Grace I have been dancing for 14 years.
Gabriella I have been dancing since I was three years old, and I am seventeen now, so it has been 14 & 1/2 years.
Vasilia I have been dancing for 12 years
How long have you been performing in the Nutcracker?
Becca I have been performing in the Nutcracker for seven years
Joe This year will make my 6th year performing in the Nutcracker.
Grace I have been performing in the Nutcracker for 9 years.
Gabriella I have performed in the CVBC’s Nutcracker for 9 years.
Vasilia I have been dancing in the Nutcracker for 10 years
What parts have you performed over the years?
Becca I began as a Toy Soldier and a Christmas Angel and have performed other roles such as Snow, Arabian, Chinese dragon, Soldier Doll, Flowers, and this year a Dew Drop.
Joe I have performed as a Fritz’s Friend, a Toy Soldier twice, an Adult Party Guest twice, the Mouse King twice and the Butler.
Grace I have been an Angel, Warrior Mouse, Candy Cane, Soldier, Party girl, Governess, Clara’s Cousin, Chinese, Russian, Snow,and Flowers.
Gabriella I have been the Guiding light, Christmas angel, Toy soldier, Nanny Mouse Queen, Chinese parasol girl, Arabian maiden, Bon Bon, Harlequin Doll, Peppermint from Russia, Snow flurry, Snow flake, Waltz of the Flowers Soloist, Chocolate from Spain, Clara’s cousin and the Sugarplum Fairy
Vasilia Throughout the many years of performing in the Nutcracker I have had the opportunity to dance so many beautiful parts, some include: Marzipan, Snowflake, Flowers, Clara’s Friend, Sugarcrystal, Chinese, etc.
What is your favorite scene of the Nutcracker ballet?
Gabriella My favorite scene in the Nutcracker Ballet is the Snow Scene. The intricate fluidity of the movement is contrasted with complex angles and sharp lines, making the snow look magical. It is the perfect bridge between the playfully eccentric party and the wildly precise battle, and Act II’s adventure through the beautifully crafted sets and costumes in the Kingdom of Sweets.
Joe My favorite scene is probably the Party Scene just because it is one of the most lively scenes in the entire show.
Grace My favorite ballet scene has always been Russian.Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of being in that part. It makes me want to just get up and dance.I am so happy that one of my parts in my senior year is Russian.
Becca My favorite scene would probably be the Sugar Plum pas de deux. The music makes me cry every year. The dancing makes it even better, and I sneak backstage every year to watch the guest artists.
Vasilia I always loved the snow scene where all the snowflake dancers grace the stage in unison, making it feel like a real snowstorm on stage. The most beautiful twist, when the snow starts falling from the stage ceiling.
What will you miss the most ?
Becca I have already had my share of tears about leaving the Nutcracker this year and I will miss a lot of things about it. The main thing I will miss is the relationships I have formed through this organization. I have made lifelong friends along with meeting some amazing teachers that have helped me to become the dancer I am today.
Joe I think I will miss the people that I’ve met while preforming, as well as just being in the show.
Gabriella I will miss the structured daily dance classes with teachers who I have already built relationships with, who have gotten to know me and my life over the years. I will miss having my dance family to spend every day with.
Grace I will miss dancing with the friends I have made over the years of being in Nutcracker.
Vasilia I’m going to miss the holiday spirit that comes with The Nutcracker.
What advice would you give to a dancer who is just beginning?
Grace First and foremost dance from your heart. Be the best that you can be. Never compare yourself to someone else. Always smile. If you do this you will always shine onstage!
Becca The best advice I could give to a young dancer would be to keep the passion alive. Without passion, dance is meaningless. Always make sure you are dancing for the right reasons, for you. It is going be really hard at times but the hard work, sweat, tears, broken toenails and bruised legs will all be worth it.
Joe To anybody who is just starting, just remember to work hard because people who work hard stand out from the rest of the group.
Vasilia To always listen for details, focus, and dance your heart out.
Gabriella Learn your limits. After breaking my right ankle for the third time, and then suffering a serious back injury, I finally learned the meaning of essential rest after working hard. Try not to get confused with sharp ‘bad’ pain and sore ‘good’ pain; if you love what you are doing, never stop.
Anything Else You Would Like To Add?
Joe People may think that dancing and ballets are for girls, but I know a good number of male dancers, and I really hope that more boys will take up dancing because it always feels good to see other male dancers on stage with me.
Becca I just cannot wait to show our community what we have worked so hard to create, and I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as I do dancing it!!
Gabriella I cannot imagine my life without dance. The rollercoaster of life is easier to navigate with a supportive team of friends, family, and teachers who care about your wellbeing and well-roundedness.
Grace Being able to perform in the Civic Ballet of Volusia County’s Nutcracker has been such a fun and wonderful learning experience through the years.
