CHILDREN SPINNING, SPRINGING AND WHIRLING AT ANNUAL NUTCRACKER WORKSHOP

Children spun, sprung and swirled to the music of Tchaikovsky at the Sea Cliff Children's Library's  annual "Introduction to the Nutcracker" workshop this past Saturday morning.  Sea Cliff resident Dan DiPietro, and his wife Ann, the Children's Library director, have organized the event each December for more than two decades, introducing to hundreds of children who have participated over the years, the story, dance, and music of the Christmas-time classic, as well as to ballet as an art form.  

Donning a wig, Mr. DiPietro played the role of Drosselmeyer, the eccentric nutcracker bearing godfather, and Ms. DiPietro, Mother Ginger.  


After a lesson in ballet basics and some of the steps that would be used during their performance, the young students, taking turns playing the roles of Clara, the children, the soldiers, Mouse King (Queen), mouse army and Sugar Plum fairy, were guided through the story, marching, dancing and twirling their way through each scene.  

Lending a hand was Sea Cliff resident Fred Stroppel who, as the "Maestro", manned the boom box. 

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