Balanchine’s Snow is hands down my favorite in any version of Nutcracker. It’s never boring, it moves, it’s exciting, just brilliant! Thank you for your insight, I never noticed that the snow was swirling upward! Would love to see flowers, that is also my favorite version! 💙
I'm in agreement and was about to comment the same. I would rarely watch a ballet however these breakdowns are making me have a new appreciation and understanding which in turn will result in me finally going to a ballet show one of these days.
@@VanessaChats Agreed! This really helps keep the interest in ballet, for sure! Anything that is an "X appreciation" class really helps keep me invested in the art/skill/etc
Hi Kathryn, I used to watch ALL of your videos religiously back in 2015 (when I was 14) and got really passionate about ballet for the first time. I don't even know why but eventually my "ballet craze" diminished and I stopped following you. Now, 9 years later, UA-cam suggestions brought me back to your channel. After a dance injury, I'm falling in love with ballet for the second time as 23 year old. Thank you so much for still being here, sharing your passion after all these years. I'm kind of getting emotional now haha
I danced snow in my studio nutcracker several times as a teenager. While ours was not fully Balanchine choreo, our ballet mistress did grow up with that technique so some of the choreo was the same or close. In our snow we did a figure 8 formation and I freakin loved it but man the hustle was real
Katie, thank you so much for your inside analysis. I was a NYC Ballet Information Volunteer for 20 years, and we were required to signup for a certain number of performances. I never ever got tired of watching the snow scene. ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ Thank you for explaining the protocol for a tangled pompom. I vote for your analysis of Flowers. OHHHHH that Tchaikovsky music. It will now be an ear worm for the rest of the day.
in my opinion, being a snowflake is the best role you can have in the nutcracker. sure it’s nice to be one of the leads, but performing in waltz of the snowflakes is just pure magic.
My daughter is in snow after the ballet teacher at the school saw her dance pointe. So, now she dances for her studio and the ballet school, and she loves it. She gets to do another dance this year for nutcracker, but snow is the definitely the hardest. I couldn’t believe how long the dance was! It’s crazy long compared to most solos being 1:30 long
I love this channel. It brought ballet to a whole new light for me to hear what happens in the background. Things that would get unnoticed. The fans was a good one! Shout-out to all that do this part. I always noticed at about 5:40 how out of breath they are and trying to hold composure while catching breath without showing it and trying to keep te snow out of the mouth and nose while struggling to recover from this tough piece. This along with Coffee and Flowers is my favorite. Always loved Dewdrop...
‘SNOW’ is my absolute favorite part of “Nutcracker” and no matter how many times I have seen it performed, it gives me goosebumps. The music, the choreography (Balanchine or other versions performed globally) is extremely difficult. Hats off to all the corps ladies who rehearse, rehearse and rehearse to get this breathtaking act to perfection. Looking forward to seeing this year’s performances, as I try to attend 2, 3, 4, as many as I can - as a Christmas present to myself, from myself. ❄️🌲🎁 ❄️🌲🎁 ❄️🌲🎁❄️🌲🎁🎄❄️
Thank you for these videos. I took ballet as a child for about 4 years ( I stunk). I have such admiration for all who are professional. The work and pain to make it look beautiful, just know there is at least one person who is in awe of all of you
I love these break downs. I am a season ticket holder this year for Ballet Arizona and will be seeing their matinee of Nutcracker next month and loved seeing Swan Lake. I also just started back doing my own adult class. I can't wait to see more of these as you do such a good at breaking these down.
May I say how radiant and wonderful you look in the video. The haircut, the makeup, your sweater... amazing. I can't wait for that video on the color seasons - I need to learn more about it :-)
This was WONDERFUL!! Snowflake understudy here 🙋🏻♀️all snow understudies get the opportunity to "earn" a snow spot for a student matinée show (aka the USs that have perfected the choreography) so I'm hoping I get to perform a matinée show! 🤞🏻 Anyhow, please, please do this for Flowers as well!! And also maybe Spanish Hot Chocolate, since you've done that role! ❤🎉 Thank you so much for the wonderful video! 3:01 same, our snow runs the entire dance. And at the very end - poof! Snow storm, snow blizzard!
I enjoyed this so much! As a fan of ballet (but never a dancer), it really broadens the experience of watching a performance to have these insights. Thank you! And btw, your hair looks amazing. It frames your face beautifully! ❤
Katie you are soo pretty and the most amazing dancer, thank you so much for sharing your gifts and insight w/ us, you really have a way with words and great sense of humor ❤ love you sis!
Snow was always one of my favorites to dance in the Nutcracker. I still count the music to myself when watching it now. The music, the lighting, the costumes, all the friends on stage at the same time. It was magical and I miss it so much this time of year!
❤ ❄️ one of my favorite. I remember when the ballet school I attended to was rehearsing for this, and it would be long rehearsals, but seeing the performance backstage was 😎. Flowers is also another favorite one. 💯 I remember how the crew would sweep up the floor so quickly during intermission before act 2.
What a fun video - thank you!! Re: the tempo…I can’t believe that if Act 1 is running long, the conductor makes Snow dancers perform an already complex corps piece that requires extra care for safety at an even FASTER tempo! Wow!! Were there some conductors that you got to know prefer it faster???
Great deconstruction of Snow! I have a friend who locked crowns with a dancer in the Boston Ballet production many years ago. They had to exit the stage ……a true nightmare
We are 3 weeks away from opening of our production of The Nutcracker and I can't wait. One year when I did snow corps I slipped on stage from the falling snow lol but I got right back up and kept on going.
The snow scene always makes me cry. It’s just so beautiful! I never got to dance it but in my version with American Midwest Ballet I got to sing the vocal part onstage and push a large boat for Clara and the Prince
Katie, thank you so much for explaining in detail how difficult this choreography and tempo is! The audience generally has no idea how hard this is, because the dancers are so talented that they make it look effortless. As someone who studied ballet for years, I have more insight into how hard it is! 🩰
I can never quite decide whether I like the dances in the Nutcracker better or the dances in The Swan Lake. But the snow dance is my favorite of all times.
Thank you for this reconstruction, so interesting. I love how you point out intricate details about the inner workings of the snow scene that I have missed, having watched both in person performances and online videos. I gain a new respect and appreciation for these wonderful, amazing dancers, and the incredible challenges that come with performing the snow scene!❄️🩵❄️❄️
Off topic, but Kathryn, your hair looks fabulous....new haircut? What kind of cut is it? I have similar hair to yours. Also, I'm not a dancer, but love dance, performing arts, etc, including ballet.
Yes! I just got it cut above my shoulders! This was just a blow dry and a slight curl today (my hair doesn’t hold well). So I went for the tousled look. Thank you so much!
A canon is anything done one after the next. So the first group starts on 1, second group starts the same step sequence on 2, etc. so it’s basically a ripple!
When the choral section starts, is that just a recording over the top of the orchestra or are there singers in the pit? (Love all these deconstructions, btw!)
Completely unrelated but you are absolutely SLAYING that new haircut! Love the bob on you!
agreed!!
I would love more ballet breakdowns of corps pieces! It’s so interesting to hear about the dynamics on the stage between dancers
Balanchine’s Snow is hands down my favorite in any version of Nutcracker. It’s never boring, it moves, it’s exciting, just brilliant! Thank you for your insight, I never noticed that the snow was swirling upward! Would love to see flowers, that is also my favorite version! 💙
Yes I agree! And I definitely will do flowers!
I love these deconstructions. Little things the audience are completely unaware of. And this is one of my favourites,snowflake.
Thank you! And mine too!
I'm in agreement and was about to comment the same. I would rarely watch a ballet however these breakdowns are making me have a new appreciation and understanding which in turn will result in me finally going to a ballet show one of these days.
@@VanessaChats Agreed! This really helps keep the interest in ballet, for sure! Anything that is an "X appreciation" class really helps keep me invested in the art/skill/etc
Hi Kathryn, I used to watch ALL of your videos religiously back in 2015 (when I was 14) and got really passionate about ballet for the first time. I don't even know why but eventually my "ballet craze" diminished and I stopped following you. Now, 9 years later, UA-cam suggestions brought me back to your channel. After a dance injury, I'm falling in love with ballet for the second time as 23 year old. Thank you so much for still being here, sharing your passion after all these years. I'm kind of getting emotional now haha
Aww thank you so much! Welcome back! (and I totally understand about stopping for a bit! Trust me!)
I wouldve never guessed that Sara Adams, Kristen Segin and Emilie Gerrity were in this recording! Please do Flowers too.
Yes! I will!
I danced snow in my studio nutcracker several times as a teenager. While ours was not fully Balanchine choreo, our ballet mistress did grow up with that technique so some of the choreo was the same or close. In our snow we did a figure 8 formation and I freakin loved it but man the hustle was real
Waltz of the snowflakes is my favorite ballet dance! The music, the dancing, it’s just so beautiful.
Katie, thank you so much for your inside analysis. I was a NYC Ballet Information Volunteer for 20 years, and we were required to signup for a certain number of performances. I never ever got tired of watching the snow scene. ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ Thank you for explaining the protocol for a tangled pompom. I vote for your analysis of Flowers. OHHHHH that Tchaikovsky music. It will now be an ear worm for the rest of the day.
I love this! Thank you for volunteering for that long! We appreciate you so much!
I am a bolshoi/grigorovich girl through and through but hands down no one beats the Balanchine snow scene.
in my opinion, being a snowflake is the best role you can have in the nutcracker. sure it’s nice to be one of the leads, but performing in waltz of the snowflakes is just pure magic.
My daughter is in snow after the ballet teacher at the school saw her dance pointe. So, now she dances for her studio and the ballet school, and she loves it. She gets to do another dance this year for nutcracker, but snow is the definitely the hardest. I couldn’t believe how long the dance was! It’s crazy long compared to most solos being 1:30 long
I love this channel. It brought ballet to a whole new light for me to hear what happens in the background. Things that would get unnoticed. The fans was a good one! Shout-out to all that do this part. I always noticed at about 5:40 how out of breath they are and trying to hold composure while catching breath without showing it and trying to keep te snow out of the mouth and nose while struggling to recover from this tough piece. This along with Coffee and Flowers is my favorite. Always loved Dewdrop...
‘SNOW’ is my absolute favorite part of “Nutcracker” and no matter how many times I have seen it performed, it gives me goosebumps. The music, the choreography (Balanchine or other versions performed globally) is extremely difficult. Hats off to all the corps ladies who rehearse, rehearse and rehearse to get this breathtaking act to perfection. Looking forward to seeing this year’s performances, as I try to attend 2, 3, 4, as many as I can - as a Christmas present to myself, from myself. ❄️🌲🎁 ❄️🌲🎁 ❄️🌲🎁❄️🌲🎁🎄❄️
Yes to all of this! 🩵🩵
Thank you for these videos. I took ballet as a child for about 4 years ( I stunk). I have such admiration for all who are professional. The work and pain to make it look beautiful, just know there is at least one person who is in awe of all of you
Thank you so much! I love how Balanchine always give the corps so much to do that you need to watch the scene several times to get all of it.
im here for ittttt! you look amazing Kathryn :)
Awww thank you!
I will never complain when you breakdown a ballet.
Aww thank you!
My favorite part of Nutcracker hands down. Can’t wait to dive into this! ❄️
Thank you! Mine too!
I love these break downs. I am a season ticket holder this year for Ballet Arizona and will be seeing their matinee of Nutcracker next month and loved seeing Swan Lake. I also just started back doing my own adult class. I can't wait to see more of these as you do such a good at breaking these down.
Omg! I love your deconstructed ballet videos so much. Thank you!!!
I’m so glad! ❤️
Yes, please!!! 🫶🩰🌹🪻🌺Flowers, too, would be wonderful! 💐🌷🌸Love these insider breakdowns! ❤
May I say how radiant and wonderful you look in the video. The haircut, the makeup, your sweater... amazing. I can't wait for that video on the color seasons - I need to learn more about it :-)
This was WONDERFUL!! Snowflake understudy here 🙋🏻♀️all snow understudies get the opportunity to "earn" a snow spot for a student matinée show (aka the USs that have perfected the choreography) so I'm hoping I get to perform a matinée show! 🤞🏻 Anyhow, please, please do this for Flowers as well!! And also maybe Spanish Hot Chocolate, since you've done that role! ❤🎉 Thank you so much for the wonderful video!
3:01 same, our snow runs the entire dance. And at the very end - poof! Snow storm, snow blizzard!
Absolutely adore this part of The Nutcracker!
Side note, your hair looks beautiful
Thank you so much!
I enjoyed this so much! As a fan of ballet (but never a dancer), it really broadens the experience of watching a performance to have these insights. Thank you! And btw, your hair looks amazing. It frames your face beautifully! ❤
All that goes into creating magic for us ❤
Loved your commentary. Thank you 🙏
This was great! Thank you for the insights
Snow will always be my favorite!!
I loved hearing your inside scoop! I also enjoy your other ballet deconstructed videos but this one especially!
Thank you! I appreciate that!
Yes please do Waltz of the Flowers. Really enjoyed this!
As someone who danced the role of snowflake in a production of the nutcracker many years back, I appreciate this breakdown!
OMG thanks Kathryn I love love these so great--this is one of my favorite scenes too because of the snow
Snow is my favorite part of Nutcracker!! The music and dancing is just lovely. Your breakdown was very nice definitely learned some things
Katie you are soo pretty and the most amazing dancer, thank you so much for sharing your gifts and insight w/ us, you really have a way with words and great sense of humor ❤ love you sis!
Aww thank you so much! I truly appreciate it!
@ 💕💕💕💕✨💋
This is my favorite scene and my favorite piece of music from Nutcracker. I love it!
would love to see one of these for flowers too! this video was so great!
Thank you!
Very very interesting and informative! I've watched this so many times and now I see more in it. Thank you
Snow was always one of my favorites to dance in the Nutcracker. I still count the music to myself when watching it now. The music, the lighting, the costumes, all the friends on stage at the same time. It was magical and I miss it so much this time of year!
Yes! I agree!
I love this so much!!! Thanks for all the insights. I love the right of passage.
these videos give me life. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
of during of you speaking of the "first line - down" that girl of the second line finessed her movement. Of her posture is incredible.
I was sewing of my pointe shoes.
Brilliant choreography. I always cry when I see this in person!
❤ ❄️ one of my favorite. I remember when the ballet school I attended to was rehearsing for this, and it would be long rehearsals, but seeing the performance backstage was 😎. Flowers is also another favorite one. 💯 I remember how the crew would sweep up the floor so quickly during intermission before act 2.
I can't tell you how fast I clicked on this! I love this series and snow is my favourite. Your hair looks great here ❤
it is so lovely to see it from inside out . this is the best version!!!! it looks so bautifullgand magical
Thank you for doing this !!!!
My pleasure 😊
What a fun video - thank you!!
Re: the tempo…I can’t believe that if Act 1 is running long, the conductor makes Snow dancers perform an already complex corps piece that requires extra care for safety at an even FASTER tempo! Wow!! Were there some conductors that you got to know prefer it faster???
Snow is my favorite!
Fun to see the details of this. I used to play the shows in Stamford CT way back when . Also my favorite part, and difficult for violin too!
I’m sure! 🩵🩵 it’s extremely difficult on piano too!
I just love this kind of videos. Please do more of it I enjoy it a lot great job thank you very much❤❤❤❤❤
I will! Thank you!
Love this! Your hair looks fabulous BTW! 🫶✨🤍
Thank you!
❤I enjoyed every second of this video!! Thank you!!! So much fun, so interesting!❤
Thank you so much!
Yes flowers!!!😄
Yes keep going with Nutcracker!!
Did this as understudy last year along with actually doing it in my university show this year actually doing flowers for the first time!
Great deconstruction of Snow! I have a friend who locked crowns with a dancer in the Boston Ballet production many years ago. They had to exit the stage ……a true nightmare
We are 3 weeks away from opening of our production of The Nutcracker and I can't wait. One year when I did snow corps I slipped on stage from the falling snow lol but I got right back up and kept on going.
That’s how you have to do it! Good for you! ❤️
The snow scene always makes me cry. It’s just so beautiful! I never got to dance it but in my version with American Midwest Ballet I got to sing the vocal part onstage and push a large boat for Clara and the Prince
Lovely! 🩵
Would love to see Flowers! Such a great analysis of Balanchine’s Snow. Love these types of videos.
When I ushered at nycballet snow was my favorite.
Katie, thank you so much for explaining in detail how difficult this choreography and tempo is! The audience generally has no idea how hard this is, because the dancers are so talented that they make it look effortless. As someone who studied ballet for years, I have more insight into how hard it is! 🩰
Yes! It is so difficult. And audiences have no idea!
Cant wait to watch! 🤍🌷
Interesting insight. Thank you for reporting steps as they are not always easy to see with long skirts.
kathryn i love these SOOOOO much
And yeh you gotta do flowers can’t wait to see it ❤
I will!
Your makeup is gorgeous in this video!
love this. yes please do flowers!
Very interesting! 🩰 Thank you!
Loved this!
Thank you! I’m so glad!
Your an Angel as always Kathryn 😍😍😍
Would love you to walk us through Flowers! I love the Balanchine version.
I can never quite decide whether I like the dances in the Nutcracker better or the dances in The Swan Lake. But the snow dance is my favorite of all times.
Thank you for this reconstruction, so interesting. I love how you point out intricate details about the inner workings of the snow scene that I have missed, having watched both in person performances and online videos. I gain a new respect and appreciation for these wonderful, amazing dancers, and the incredible challenges that come with performing the snow scene!❄️🩵❄️❄️
Awww thank you so much!
Over 40 years of seeing Nutcracker and snow is still my favorite scene 🩰❄
Yes!
Oh my gosh so interesting! Thank you.
I love this so much!❤❤❤❤
Would love to see a breakdown of Waltz of the Flowers. It's my favorite part of Balanchine's Nutcracker.
Flowers yes please! 💐💐💐💐💐💐
is dropping the pom pom not a tripping hazard? also wondering if the floor gets crazy slippy from all the confetti snow?!
Thank you for this video!!
You are so welcome!
Love it! Yes please to flowers!
love your new haircut!
Just wanted to say you’re hair looks amazing in this video❤️
Love this, please do more of these! One for Waltz of the Flowers as well?
I'm doing the nutcracker for ballet this year and I'm a snowflake so I wanted to watch this video for inspiration
i love these videos!!! could you possibly do a deconstruction of serenade some time in the future? it’s my favorite ballet 🥰
Another vote to please do Flowers!!!
Off topic, but Kathryn, your hair looks fabulous....new haircut? What kind of cut is it? I have similar hair to yours. Also, I'm not a dancer, but love dance, performing arts, etc, including ballet.
Yes! I just got it cut above my shoulders! This was just a blow dry and a slight curl today (my hair doesn’t hold well). So I went for the tousled look. Thank you so much!
KATIE! Can I just say that with your lighter hair, I thought this was a thumbnail from a video of yours 10 years ago, you are glowing!!!
I really enjoyed this. What products are you using on your hair? It looks great 👍
Love this! I've always thought I'd be so terrified to slip on the paper, but it seems the pros don't mind?
I loved this breakdown! Is there a practical reason the apprentices dont have an alternate?
Question, please - is the prop snow a fall risk for dancers, particularly those en pointe?
Same question! I always assumed the chaines were on demi point because of that!
I'd love breakdowns of more nutcracker roles from various companies like you did with Sugarplum. I'd love to see dewdrop, marzipan, etc.
I would be terrified of dancing with the snow on the ground. It must be slippery. Also, what is a canon? 10:44
A canon is anything done one after the next. So the first group starts on 1, second group starts the same step sequence on 2, etc. so it’s basically a ripple!
When the choral section starts, is that just a recording over the top of the orchestra or are there singers in the pit? (Love all these deconstructions, btw!)
This really feels like a spiritual sibling to Serenade, another ballet that is foundational for teaching the dancers
I LOVE snow, so much more than Flowers. It was so much more fun for me to dance than Flowers (my studio's version is not this version).
It’s the best! 🩵
When I first took my husband to see Balanchine’s Nutcracker (an annual tradition now), he said his favorite part was Snow Scene. I agreed!
Amazing! I love it!
Second comment - please do
Flower Waltz! I always tear up at the music and choreography at Dewdrop’s rond de jambe en l’air en diagonale