Former and current dancers from the Marat Daukayev School of Ballet got together on Zoom last week from all over the world to catch up.

Matisse joined at midnight (Russia time) from Moscow, Eli from NYC, Mikhael from France, Anna from Belgium, Ulliana, Emma and all of the Del Rosarios from LA with many others to fill Pamela and Marat in on what they are now doing with their lives.

Matisse is still dancing with the Russian State Ballet. Eli is “getting through” Covid by dancing in his apartment, assisting in online dance classes from STEPS and hoping to audition for a company soon. Mikhael is still dancing with Ballet du Rhin. The Daukayevs are continuing to hold online group and private classes until they can get into their new studio space.

It was wonderful to catch up with so many old friends and see faces of those who had danced Nutcracker roles we’d heard stories about while shooting Getting To The Nutcracker. Everyone expressed hope that after 20 years of Marat Daukayev Nutcrackers, the tradition would resume at the Luckman again in 2021.

Cheers to that happening and hope to see you all then.

Happy Holidays.