Seven-year-old Chauncey Charley has been dancing for just over a month, but already landed a high-profile role.
The 7-year-old Mancos resident will perform this winter in the holiday ballet "Nutcracker," performed by the acclaimed State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara in Durango on Dec. 13 and 14.
And Chauncey won't be the only dance student from the newly opened Semberlyn dance school in Mancos - all four students and the 15-year-old instructor made it into the ballet. They are 10-year-old Mylee Sena, 9-year-old Micah Black and 10-year-old Nicolette Charley.
"For all of them to get into the 'Nutcracker' on their first try is miraculous," said Semberlyn Crossly, owner of the newly opened studio, recently named Semberlyn, Dance Renew, Thrive.
Tryouts were held this month.
Instructor Francesca Bianchi teaches ballet and other dance styles to the students.
"I was really excited as a teacher because I wasn't sure if any of them would make it in," Bianchi said.
Bianchi also will perform in the ballet.
She has been dancing since she was 3 years old, following in the footsteps of her older sister.
"I looked up to my sister," she said.
Bianchi's sister went to the University of Utah on a ballet scholarship.
The other Semberlyn dancers in the Nutcracker are 10-year-old Mylee Sena, 9-year-old Micah Black and 10-year-old Nicolette Charley.
The students will head to Durango every Saturday to practice until the Dec. 13 and 14 performances.
"We are small, but we are good," Crossly said.
Crossly added that they have room for more students at the Mancos dance school and that she is adding an Irish dance class.
She said the competition for the "Nutcracker" was tough.
The production has become a traditional holiday show at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Artistic director Rodney Gustafson holds true to the original Tchaikovsky masterpiece. It is suited for all ages.
