Tasha Bachinski, 15, has been selected to dance in Ballet Jorgen Canada’s The Nutcracker, which returns to the River Run Centre in Guelph on Dec. 22 and 23.
“I was surprised I was selected because I thought most of the roles were for younger ages and I didn’t think I fit the role, but I wasn’t surprised because I’ve done a lot of auditions and processes of being nervous and have learned to still do my best,” said Bachinski.
The young Fergus dancer tried out for The Nutcracker in September and was one of about 20 dancers selected out of about 40 competitors in the 13 to 18 age group.
“My role has very quick steps,” Bachinski said about her role as a Dragonfly.
“Typically most dance movements are in the legs and feet with minor arm work; in my role it is quick leg and arm movements combined.”
Bachinski began rehearsing for The Nutcracker the day she was chosen, and has been rehearsing once a week for about 30 minutes.
She noted that within the last several weeks, rehearsals went up to about 45 minutes each week.
“It’s taking all the movements you learned in the studio and making an elaborate dance … with make-up, costumes and an audience,” Bachinski said.
She began dancing at the Grand River Dance Academy at the age of three and trained there until the age of seven, when she decided to attend the National Ballet School (NBS) in Toronto until the age of 10.
She then tried out for the Professional Division at Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, where she trained for three years.
“One of my favorite things about dancing is the performance.,” Bachinski said.
“I like putting on the costumes, wearing the make-up and performing in front of an audience.”
Throughout her dance career, Bachinski has danced in many performances. At the age of seven she danced in The Nutcracker with the National Ballet of Canada; she danced in yearly performances and performed in Coppelia with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Since returning to Fergus after her three-year stay in Winnipeg, she has returned to the Grand River Dance Academy and has been taking classes and also teaches ballet and Jazz.
“I love to dance; it’s fun and it makes me happy,” said Bachinski.
“It’s inspiring and makes other people happy as well.”
