Every winter, the anticipation of the holidays grows, a familiar excitement begins to build inside Ballet Idaho’s students. It’s the kind of excitement only The Nutcracker can inspire. While audiences see the elegance of the final performance, the production begins months earlier, carried by the nearly 100 young dancers whose dedication transforms this beloved ballet into something extraordinary. For these students, The Nutcracker is not just a performance. It is a cherished tradition.  A Legacy Passed Down Through Generations For Jessica Sulikowski, Ballet Idaho Academy Director and former principal dancer, The Nutcracker is woven into her life. She first danced in the production at age twelve and has now spent

The Snow Queen is one of the most enchanting figures in The Nutcracker. Her entrance transforms the stage into a world of drifting snow, shimmering light, and elegant movement. This year the role is danced by Anissa Bailis, whose experience and insight reveal what makes this scene so special and what it takes to bring its magic to life. Bailis shares that returning to this choreography year after year creates a deep connection to the role. “It is really neat to have all of these years of coming back to the same choreography.” With time she has discovered new layers in the character. “Now that I am older, I approach

When the holidays arrive in Boise, something special happens. Downtown begins to glow with festive lights, and families start searching for traditions that bring deeper meaning to the season. For many in the Treasure Valley, that tradition is an evening at The Nutcracker. For Ballet Idaho Academy Director Jessica Sulikowski, this production has long been a defining part of the holiday season, both personally and professionally. A Story That Still Feels Like Magic “I have been performing in The Nutcracker since I was 12 years old,” Sulikowski shares. “So, it’s been two decades of this incredible experience.” That kind of enduring connection speaks to why The Nutcracker remains one of