The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Students showcased at chamber event
TORRINGTON — Dancing, piano music, a showand-tell, a generous donation and lively conversations were the highlights of a networking event Nov. 13 at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts, sponsored by the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
Torrington real estate agent Nathanial Zimmerman was one of about 100 attendees at the Business After Hours event, held monthly at chamber member locations.
“We are very interested in the arts and in making sure that Torrington is on a healthy course for business and for pleasure,” Zimmerman said. “We come to interact with our friends and people that we do business with.”
He said he has grandchildren who are students at the Nutmeg Ballet. “It’s a great means for them to establish their way in the arts,” he said.
Nutmeg students Rachel Kundzins and Stone Dresser performed the pas de deux from the end of act two of “The Nutcracker.” They will be one of five couples working on these roles for this season’s production, Victoria Mazzarelli, artistic director, said. Each of six regular performances – four at the Bushnell in Hartford and two at the Warner in Torrington – will feature a different cast, she said.
John E. Janco, president and CEO of Torrington Savings Bank, presented Mazzarelli with a check for $25,000 to help kick off a fund-raising campaign for a new “Nutcracker” set, now being created by Boston designer Roger LaVoie.
“I can’t help but think how fortunate we all are to have Nutmeg in our region, right here in downtown Torrington,” Janco said. “Nutmeg Ballet has been an important part of the arts community since 1969, and we all know how important the arts are, not only to the local community but to the region.”
Dioramas of the set design were on display at the event. The new set will be ready for the 2019 production of “The Nutcracker,” when Nutmeg Ballet celebrates its 50-year anniversary, Mazzarelli said.
Tim Pusch, a manager at Brooks, Todd & McNeil insurance agency, said, “I’m a longtime fan and supporter of the Nutmeg. I’ve gone to the ballet here. We are thrilled to have the Nutmeg. It’s a blessing.”
Kelley Hutton, a Burlington resident and a dancer, attended at the urging of a friend. As she entered and heard piano music peformed by John Mihaliak, she said, “It’s hard not to dance. As soon as I came in, I wanted to go to the barre and start doing a warm-up.”
She said she was excited to see the dioramas of the new set.
“My daughter takes ballet and jazz dancing, and I am interested in finding out about transferring her into Nutmeg to see if she likes it,” she said.
For those interested in seeing the final year of performances using the current “Nutcracker” scenery, there is still time to order tickets. Performances of “The Nutcracker” at the Bushnell will be Dec. 8 and 9 at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. For ticket information, call 860-987-5900. Regular performances at the Warner will be Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. For ticket information, call 860-482-7180.