With precision, she glides across the paneled room. Her snowy-white dress flows around her. Every move has been rehearsed countless times. Tape lines the laminated floor and colorful costumes are strewn across the heated studio. Snow cascades down, just visible from inside the window-lit room. Narrowing her focus, she deliberates the exacting movements. Subdued classical music sets the sentimental tone with the upcoming show just days away. 

This is a winter rehearsal for a dancer in the Hyde Park School of Dance. Years of ballet training and months of work will culminate in one annual holiday season staple: “The Nutcracker.”

Dancers at the Hyde Park School of Dance foster a long-standing community and mind-body connection that will be exemplified in their upcoming performance of “The Nutcracker.”

The Hyde Park School of Dance is a nonprofit that primarily teaches ballet, among other dance forms, to all ages. They also perform annual shows, one of which is the winter Nutcracker. “The Nutcracker” will be held at the University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., Dec. 10 at 1 and 6 p.m., and Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online.

Senior Sarina Zhao has been attending the dance school for over 13 years and takes ballet and modern dance. In “The Nutcracker,” she will take on the role of the Snow Queen. Sarina said practicing for the upcoming show in rehearsals can take up to 15 hours weekly, but the process remains extremely rewarding.

“I think one really rewarding thing about dance in general, or really like any sport, is to see improvement, which is proportional to the amount of time and effort you put into it,” Sarina said.

Sarina believes the Hyde Park School of Dance maintains an exceptionally close troupe that has provided her with ongoing support over the years the students have danced together.

“It’s a really tightknit community,” Sarina said, “and I think knowing that I have that space where I’m supported by everyone around me… is really special, especially at this time of year.”

Sarina thinks that this exceptional group has been one of the most valuable aspects of the school. The team and ballet have helped her reduce stress.

“It definitely helps relieve stress, just having that community,” Sarina said, “and I am able to spend time with those people together throughout the week.” 

Junior Taylor Patterson has danced with the Hyde Park School of Dance for 13 years and has the role of Clara in “The Nutcracker.” Taylor has also experienced the same closeknit community and enriching experience.

“You get to see yourself improve, and that’s super,” Taylor said. “It also creates such a fun community.”

Taylor believes that, much like ballet, the Hyde Park School of Dance is grounded in various traditions. Many of these take place in the winter and create a family-like bond among dancers.

“We have our company sweaters that we make every year, and they’ll just say the dance we’re in,” Taylor said. “We also do secret Santa in the company, and we do sister gifts.”

Celine Derroitte, a junior who has been attending the dance school for nine years, will be taking the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the understudy for Dewdrop.

According to Celine, ballet is an art form that requires many of the same demands that many sports do.

“It’s not a sport, but you’re still an athlete in the way that you have to have such intense stamina and you’re working really hard,” Celine said.

Though rewarding, Celine believes that like any sport the tryouts and rehearsals for “The Nutcracker” are an arduous process. According to Celine after years of training and months of rehearsal, the chance to perform is more than worthwhile.

“It’s very long and intense and we have tryouts starting in late September,” Celine said. “So it’s like a lot of buildups and I think that that goes with any sport that you are working your entire life to exhibit something and to try and achieve something.”