Meet our Cast!
Introducing our two Clara’s - Isabell Striebel, age 13, and April Jansen, age 11.
Isabell will be dancing the role Clara on December 13th in our 1 pm show and April will be dancing the role of Clara in our 4 pm show. Both girls are diligently working on perfecting their technique and artistry to bring life to the role of Clara.
April Jansen
Age 11, Synergy Dance Company
Isabell Striebel
Age 13, Synergy Dance Company
Next up, meet Ezra Lee, who will be stepping into the magical role of The Nutcracker Prince!
Pictured here with his sister Sophia, who will delight audiences dancing the “Tea” divertissement in the second show.
We can’t wait to see this talented sibling duo bring their characters to life on stage in our inaugural production of The Nutcracker!
Ezra Lee & Sophia Lee
HIS Dance Academy
Meet Matt Carpenter, who will bring the mysterious and magical Godfather Drosselmeyer to life on stage!
With extensive acting experience in a variety of shows and plays, Matt is sure to add depth and wonder to this beloved role.
Matt Carpenter
Jesa Hulings
Synergy Dance Company
Jesalyn Hulings is a sophomore at the Cedar Springs High School. She enjoys the academics and friendships at CSHS! Jesa began her dance instruction in jazz at the age of 4 and after attending a ballet performance recital instructed by Miss Olga, Jesa discovered her love of ballet in 2021. She has began her en pointe training this year; she loves the discipline and performance challenges of the Nutcracker!
Madison Worvey
Synergy Dance Company
Madison is 14 and has been dancing since she the age of 5. Madison's love for ballet began in Newaygo at a homeschool dance class with Miss Olga in 2018. She has performed in West Michigan Youth Ballet's yearly Nutcracker production twice and the Wizard of Oz. When Madison is not at ballet she enjoys listening to music, skateboarding and shopping.
Emmerson Bonsall
Synergy Dance Company
Emmie is a second grader at Cedar Springs. She has been dancing at Synergy Dance Company since she was 4 years old. Emmie loves ballet! Her favorite part of ballet is the music and practicing fifth position.
Ainsley Smelker
HIS Dance Academy
Ainsley Smelker is 17 years old and passionate about dance. She's been dancing since she was 9, and is currently dancing at HIS Dance Academy. She enjoys reading, writing, choreographing, singing, songwriting, and hanging out with friends and family. After she graduates, she plans to take a gap year and then pursue a career in physical therapy.
Christine Hammer
Christine Hammer is retired and enjoys spending time with her husband, Cris, her church, family and friends! Her many hobbies include fishing, camping, crafting, reading and gardening. Christine loves the opportunity given to be a part of the full Nutcracker production with the many talented ballet dancers and Miss Olga, the master ballet instructor, this Christmas!
April Jansen
Synergy Dance Company
April started ballet at Synergy Dance Company, studying under Miss Olga, in early 2022. Since that time, she has progressed to going en Pointe and is overjoyed to again be participating in the Nutcracker this year! Outside of the studio, which is where she devotes most of her free time, she enjoys art, reading, and music. Ballet will always have her heart, and she hopes to continue to pursue ballet in the future, wherever the path may lead.
Lacy Czerski
Synergy Dance Company
The liberal arts are an essential element to any well-rounded education, and as such, it is crucial that we keep these traditions alive in our culture today. Miss Olga has shown incredible dedication towards upholding the value of classical ballet and sharing her love of this beautiful art form with those around her. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this mission and to have the chance to dance in this production of "The Nutcracker".
Veronika Smelik
Veronika has been dancing since the age of 5. She trained under her mother, Olga Smelik, and has attended intensives at Grand Rapids Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, and A&A Ballet in Chicago under direction of Alexei Kremnev. She has performed in the A&A Ballet youth company production of “The Nutcracker”. She is currently completing her first semester as a freshman at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Valerie Shaw
Synergy Dance Company
Valerie is a talented 12 year old currently attending Cedar Springs Middle School. Her journey in dance began at the young age of 4 when she took her first class at the YMCA. In 2019, she discovered her passion for hip hop, which has greatly influenced her style. Recently, Valerie has expanded her horizons by exploring the art of ballet and is excited to participate in the upcoming performance of The Nutcracker. With her dedication and love for dance, Valerie continues to grow and shine in her artistic pursuits.
Hannah Vander Werff
Synergy Dance Company
Hannah Vander Werff is a sixth grader at Our Lady of Consolation School in Rockford and a native of Kent City, MI. She discovered her love for dance at the age of three and has been especially passionate about ballet ever since. In 2025, Hannah fulfilled a lifelong dream by going en pointe. She is thrilled to perform in Synergy Dance Company’s inaugural production of The Nutcracker and deeply grateful to Miss Olga for her guidance and support.
Nora Bruinsma
Synergy Dance Company
Nora Bruinsma is new to dance this year and is loving it. She love practicing her skills at home and is often found dancing around the house. She is in the 4th grade this year and lives in Rockford, Michigan.
Ezra Lee
HIS Dance Academy
Ezra Lee is 16 years old and has danced at HIS Dance Academy for 11 years. He was top 12 in YAGP 2024 Chicago, coached by Miss Olga, and has danced lead roles in original productions such as the Controller in “Desert”, and Jonah in “Jonah”.
Abigayle Watkins
Abigayle Watkins is a 14-year-old ballet dancer, dancing at HIS Dance Academy. Outside of dance she enjoys reading, listening to music, choreographing, and hanging out with friends and family. Abbie’s current plans after she graduates high school is to pursue a career in dance and youth ministry.
Rowan Knoll
Synergy Dance Company
Rowan’s favorite things to do in ballet class are arabesques and leaps. She loves all the fancy costumes and beautiful music!
Isabell Striebel
Synergy Dance Company
Isabell is an eighth grader at CSMS. She has loved the art of dance ever since being introduced to it at 4 years old. Her passion for ballet started by attending classes with Cora Grace, before learning under Miss Olga at Synergy Dance Company in 2021. After ten years, she continues to pursue her dream of becoming a dance instructor and has been given the privilege of assisting level 1 ballet. She is excited to be a part of the Nutcracker performance, after watching others perform it annually.
Mary Lee
Originally from Grand Rapids, Mary is a junior at CCM in Cincinnati pursuing a BFA in Ballet. Having trained with Miss Olga in high school, she is thrilled to be part of this production with her once again!
Claudia Williams
Dance Dimensions
Claudia is 17 years old and a junior in high school. She has been dancing at Dance Dimensions since she was 2 years old. Her favorite style is contemporary and she hopes to continue dancing once she graduates.
Breckti Korican
HIS Dance Academy
Breckti is 16 years old and is in the 11th grade at NorthPointe Christian High School. She has been dancing for 11 years and attends HIS Dance Academy. Outside of dance, she enjoys many outdoor activities, cooking, and spending quality time with the people she loves. Breckti would like to thank God, her dance instructors, her family and friends for being so supportive and giving her the opportunity to dance!
Helen Howard
My name is Helen and I’m almost 12 years old. I am a hip hop dancer with a little ballet experience . I also like to ride horses and play the piano. I really look forward to dancing in the nutcracker because it has been a while since I have done ballet and it’s fun to know how it feels again. I plan to be a dermatologist when I grow up and study at Michigan state university and dorm with my best friend.
Alexia Arcond
Synergy Dance Company
My name is Alexia Adriena Arcond, and I’m 19 years old. I started dancing when I was just three, alongside gymnastics, and later found joy in cheer and pompon during high school. But no matter what I tried, my heart always belonged to ballet. I’ve been working tirelessly toward my dream, and by the end of 2026, I’ll finally be going en pointe. Ever since I first saw The Nutcracker as a little girl, I knew I wanted to be part of its magic—and now, that dream is finally coming true.
Joanna Bruinsma
Synergy Dance Company
Joanna Bruinsma has danced for the last 2 years taking acro classes at a local studio. She loves to do filps on stage. She really enjoys testing her skills and abilities in ballet this year. She is in the 3rd grade this year and lives in Rockford, Michigan.
Olivia Lee
HIS Dance Academy
Olivia Lee is a student at HIS Dance Academy and has been taking ballet classes for the past six years.
John Foster
CARE Ballet
John is a senior in high school and has been dancing for 9 years. He currently dances with CARE Ballet and has done shows with Civic Theater and Circle Theater. Outside of dance, John also likes playing the piano, which he has done for 10 years. He would like to thank his family for all of their support, and his dog Molly!
Matthew Carpenter (Herr Drosselmeyer)
Matthew is excited to take on the role of Herr Drosselmeyer in this year’s Nutcracker! Local audiences may remember him as Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages, Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Alonzo in Cats, Edgar Beane in Titanic, and the Butler in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. When he’s not on stage, Matthew enjoys swing and Latin dancing—always finding new ways to bring movement, music, and a little bit of magic into his performances.
Elise Pepper
Imprint Dance Co.
Elise Pepper is 13 years old and resides in Rockford, MI. She just started her 5th year in competitive dance and has had extensive training at Dance Dimensions and now Imprint Dance Co., as well as drop-in classes at Synergy Dance. While Elise enjoys many genres of dance including lyrical, contemporary, and jazz, ballet has always been one of her greatest passions. She loves dance most because of the way it allows you to express thoughts and emotions through an art form and hopes to share that love and passion through performing professionally when she’s older. She is very excited to perform in her first The Nutcracker production and is grateful to Miss Olga for the opportunity.
Sophia Lee
My name is Sophia Lee and I am a Freshman at Calvin University. I have danced since I was three and am continuing to dance at Calvin’s dance club and am a teacher at HIS Dance Academy. Over the years I have performed in many original ballets through HIS Dance Academy, including some lead roles. I have learned under Miss Olga since I was 12 and am thankful for the opportunity she gave me to perform in the Nutcracker for the first time!
Vanessa Ward
Dance Dimensions
Hi my name is Vanessa Ward and I am 16 years old. I’ve been dancing since I was 2 years old. I dance competitively and have received outstanding technique awards at multiple competitions in the state of Michigan. This past summer I studied for 6 weeks at the Alabama school of ballet. This will be my 4th year doing the nutcracker and I have played the parts of soldier doll and Clara, as well as Dewdrop and Marzipan lead. I’m so excited for this chance to partner with Ezra as Sugar plum this year!