THE NUTCRACKER 2025

December 12-14, 2025 | at the Blaisdell Concert Hall

Important Ticketing Information:

• Tickets are only sold through Ticketmaster.com or in person at the NBC box office.
• Beware of scalper sites such as Ticket Central; all other internet ticket offers are scams.
• Children ages 3 and up require a ticket. Children under 2 are free if seated on a lap.

For questions about tickets, please email hnlfrontdesk@ballethawaii.org. Direct any ticketing issues to Ticketmaster.com.

Photo Credit: Erin Baiano

The Sugar Plumeria Fairy

Courtesy of New York City Ballet

Ms. Fairchild was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and began her dance training at the age of four, studying with Judy Levitre and Kaelynne Oliphant at Dance Concepts in Sandy, Utah, and at the Ballet West Conservatory in Salt Lake City with Sharee Lane, Deborah Dobson, and Maureen Laird.

While at the Ballet West Conservatory, Ms. Fairchild was also a Ballet West trainee. Ms. Fairchild entered the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, in the fall of 2000.

In November 2001, Ms. Fairchild became an apprentice with New York City Ballet, and in October 2002 she joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet.

Ms. Fairchild was promoted to the rank of soloist in February 2004, and in January 2005, she was promoted to principal dancer.

The Cavalier

Courtesy of New York City Ballet

Born in Guangdong, China, Mr. Chan trained at the Guangzhou Art School from 2004 to 2010. In 2010 he was a finalist at the Prix de Lausanne, which earned him a full scholarship to study with Houston Ballet’s second company, Houston Ballet II. In 2012 Chan joined Houston Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet and he was promoted to principal dancer at HB in 2017. His repertory with Houston Ballet included leading roles in ballets by Stanton Welch, Ben Stevenson, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, John Cranko, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Edwaard Liang, Wayne McGregor, Trey McIntyre, and Justin Peck, among others.

Mr. Chan joined NYCB as a soloist in August 2021, and in May 2022 was promoted to principal dancer.

OTHER PERFORMANCES:
Mr. Chan has appeared as a contestant on the Chinese television show Dance Smash, as well as at the Nijinsky Gala XLI in Hamburg, Germany (2015), New York City Center’s Fall for Dance Festival (2015), and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (2018). Chan was also a Guest Principal Dancer with Hong Kong Ballet in 2018 and 2019.

The Snow Queen & The Dewdrop Fairy

Courtesy of Pacific Northwest Ballet

Clara Ruf Maldonado (she/her) is from New York, New York. She studied on scholarship at the School of American Ballet, where she was a 2015 Mae L. Wien Award recipient, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. She attended summer courses at Ballet Academy East, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Chautauqua Institution, Houston Ballet Academy, Miami City Ballet School, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Clara was an apprentice with New York City Ballet before joining Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2018. She was promoted to corps de ballet later that year, and became a soloist in 2023.

The Snow King & The Hawaiian Warrior

Courtesy of Pacific Northwest Ballet

Lucien Postlewaite (he/him) is from Santa Cruz, California. He trained on scholarship at the School of American Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. While a Professional Division student at PNB School, he received a Level II Award for ballet in the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts’ 2003 Arts Recognition and Talent Search. Mr. Postlewaite joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2003, was promoted to corps de ballet in 2004, soloist in 2007, and principal in 2008. He was a 2008 recipient of a Princess Grace Award. In 2012, Mr. Postlewaite joined Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, and in 2017, he re-joined PNB as a principal dancer.

While at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Mr. Postlewaite performed leading roles in Forsythe’s New Sleep; Kylian’s Bella Figura and Gods and Dogs; and Maillot’s Altro Canto, La Belle, Cendrillon, Faust, LAC, Scheherazade, and Vers un Pays Sage. He originated leading roles in Pontus Lidberg’s Summer’s Winter Shadow and Maillot’s Casse-Noisette Compagnie, Choré, and Entrelacs.

Mr. Postlewaite has performed as a guest artist with New York City Ballet in the seventy-fifth anniversary gala for the School of American Ballet. He is featured in the film Casse-Noisette Compagnie by Jean-Christophe Maillot. In 2019, Mr. Postlewaite was invited by the Fire Island Dance Festival to organize a commission for its annual gala (Garrett Smith’s Continuum). In addition to performing at galas worldwide, Mr. Postlewaite has performed Petipa’s Paquita and Wevers’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Reiko Yamamoto Ballet Company in Japan, and Balanchine’s Tarantella with Los Angeles Ballet. He is an original member of Olivier Wevers’ Whim W’Him.

The Hibiscus Doll & Hiʻiaka

Courtesy of Carolina Ballet

Ms. Schenberger began her formal training at age 8, at The Ayako School of Ballet in Okinawa, Japan. At age 10, she continued her training at Ballet Hawaii. While attending she competed at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) San Francisco and won 3rd place bronze in the Junior Women Classical category. She also competed at the World Ballet Competition where she achieved the 3rd highest score in the Pre-Professional category as well as receiving the Jury’s Award. At age 15, she attended the Washington School of Ballet’s professional training program and then the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). Ms. Schenberger has also attended summer programs at The Washington School of Ballet, Ballet West, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Boston Ballet. Ms. Schenberger’s featured roles with Carolina Ballet include Lead Couple in George Balanchine’s Valse Fantasie, Cinderella in Robert Weiss’ Cinderella, and August Bournonville’s Flower Festival.

The Pueo & Lohiʻau

Maxwell is an international movement artist that has an expansive and fluid background in contemporary dance with classical roots. His strengths pour over into the commercial and fashion industry. He grew up in Philadelphia, PA. and is an Italian and American citizen. He placed gold at the Berlin Tanzolymp competition for his contemporary solo and as a duet finalist in the YAGP NYC. Following this success, Maxwell studied at the Rudra Béjart École in Switzerland, student of Azari Plissetski, leading to performing with the Béjart Ballet in pieces by Maurice Béjart including Bolero, Le Sacre du Printemps, and Petruschka. Relocating back to the States, he has performed with The Metropolitan Opera, The San Francisco Opera, Smuin Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Jacob Jonas The Company, and Sadler’s Wells theatre Gala in London. Maxwell is currently working on a new Amazon Prime TV series called ‘Etoile’ With Marguerite Derricks as a dance body double and on the creative side. He is also Laura Dern’s love interest as Vladimir the Russian ballet dancer in ‘Palm Royale’ Season 2. He can be seen performing in Sia’s newest music video, Ryan Murphy Productions ‘Grotesquerie” FX series and dancing + Movement directing the music artist, Kesha. Along with doing freelance projects, he has the added opportunity to create and teach internationally, though recently he has performed for fashion brands such as Hermès, Prada, and Greg Lauren.

The Merry Widow & The Orchid Woman

Courtesy of Eugene Ballet

Danielle received her early training from Connecticut Dance School and attended the University of Utah where she graduated with a BFA in Ballet Performance and a BS in Business Management. She joined Eugene Ballet in 2008 as an Apprentice, was promoted to the Company in 2011, and Principal in 2015. During her time with EB, Danielle has performed many lead roles including Aurora, Juliet, Cinderella, Myrtha in Giselle, Odette/Odile, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Carmen, the Snow Queen, and Katherine in Taming of the Shrew. She has also been showcased in numerous works by Toni Pimble and guest choreographers Edwaard Liang, Stephanie Martinez, Amy Seiwert, Jessica Lang, and Val Caniparoli to name a few. Last season while pregnant with her second child, Danielle had the privilege to help set ballets and work alongside the artistic staff and guest choreographers. Danielle is an instructor for Eugene Ballet Academy and also performs and teaches throughout the northwest. She has had the opportunity to work with Ballet Hawaii as a guest artist since 2010 teaching and performing works that include Septime Webre’s Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Peter Pan, as the Dark Angel and Waltz Girl in George Balanchine’s Serenade, and most recently as the Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker. Danielle is a proud mom to two sons, Luca and Theo, whom she shares with her husband and fellow principal dancer Mark Tucker.

The Palace Guard Doll & The Orchid Man

Courtesy of Eugene Ballet

Mark Tucker is honored to be taking part in his sixteenth season with Eugene Ballet Company. Mark began his training in his home state of Hawaii with Ballet Hawaii.  As well as continuing his training in Miami, Houston, and Washington DC, Mark attended The North Carolina School of the Arts where he graduated high school and obtained a BFA in Classical Ballet with a minor in Modern Dance. Mark joined Eugene Ballet in 2008 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2015.  Mark has defined his career as a strong partner and has had the opportunity to dance an expanding range of roles with choreographers and directors both internationally and from across the country. Edwaard Liang’s Age of Innocence, Septime Webre’s Alice in Wonderland, Mauricio Wainrot’s Anne Frank, Val Caniparoli’s Tutto Eccetto il Lavandino and Tryptic, Gerald Arpino’s Light Rain, Head Wrangler in Agnes De Mille’s Rodeo, Heather Maloy’s Stranger, as well as works by Jessica Lang, Amy Seiwert, Stephanie Martinez, Devon Carney, Victoria Morgan, Salvatore Aiello, Stanton Welch, and EB’s Suzanne Haag to name a few. In 2017, as a guest artist with Ballet Hawaii, he was featured as Waltz Boy in George Balanchine’s Serenade.

Mark began dancing lead roles with EBC in 2012 as the head male in Rite of Spring with, now, Associate Artistic Director Jennifer Martin. He has had the privilege of premiering many lead roles in Toni Pimble’s works including Jay Gatsby from the classic novel and more recently Petruchio in Pimble’s Taming of the Shrew.  He also enjoys bringing characters to life onstage in roles such as Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Von Rothbart in Swan Lake, and the sultan in Scheherazade. In 2015 Mark starred alongside his wife, EBC Principal Dancer Danielle Tolmie, in Pimble’s Carmen. “Dancing the role of Don Jose across from my wife was one of the most memorable and powerful moments I have ever experienced on stage.” He then added “the only thing that may beat that is dancing Siegfried with Danielle while she was pregnant with our first son Luca. He was moving around like crazy during Black Swan.” 2022-2023 was a big year for Mark, dancing Desire in The Sleeping Beauty, as well as being a part of two world premieres, Petrushka and The Little Mermaid. Sharing the journey of raising his sons, Luca and Theo, with his wife Danielle brings him great happiness. Follow him and Danielle on Instagram @markdani8688

Clara

Ballet Hawaii Student

Mia Si Wun Ng is a senior at James Campbell High School. She has been dancing since the age of 4 at Ballet Hawaii. Her favorite piece to dance is “Swans” from Ballet Hawaii’s 2022 Summer Intensive. Mia has participated in Ballet Hawaii’s Summer Intensive and Nutcracker productions. Outside of ballet, she likes to play the piano and hang out with her friends.

Nutcracker Prince

Ballet Hawaii Student

Grayson Ito will be entering the 10th grade at Mid-Pacific Institute. He has performed on stage since 9 years of age, but only began dancing after enrolling in Mid-Pacific’s Certificate Dance Program in the 7th grade. Grayson has been a student at Ballet Hawaii for 2 years. He has appeared in Ballet Hawaii’s The Nutcracker and seasonal showcases and Mid-Pacific Institute’s Spring and Fall performances.

Herr Drosselmeyer

David Weaver is happy to return to Ballet Hawai‘i for his second season of The Nutcracker. He began his ballet training at The School of American Ballet in 1985,
where he studied until 1991. David apprenticed with American Ballet Theatre and Houston Ballet before becoming a principal dancer with Midwest Regional Ballet and
Ballet Wichita, and a soloist with Ballet West.

He has also performed with the companies of Doug Varone and David Parsons and appeared as a guest artist with numerous companies across the United States and abroad. His career has taken him around the world, including the Broadway National Tours of A Chorus Line and Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as productions throughout Europe, Asia, and the U.S.

Among his favorite roles are Apollo in George Balanchine’s Apollo and Phlegmatic in The Four Temperaments. He has danced works by Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and many others. Most recently, David directed and co-choreographed Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Manoa Valley Theatre.

David would like to thank Pam, Richard, and Christine for the great and humbling honor of bringing Drosselmeyer to life. He also thanks his wife, Roberta, for generously supporting his continued “play time” in the dance world.

Iʻiwi Lead

Ballet Hawaii Alumni

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Emma Belatti graduated from McKinley High School in 2023 and has been dancing with Ballet Hawaiʻi for 17 years. She is currently a sociology student at UH Mānoa with the goal of attending law school in the future. She has participated in Ballet Hawaiʻi’s The Nutcracker, Ballet Chicago’s summer intensive, and numerous Ballet Hawaiʻi productions, including its inaugural Performance Ensemble.

Emma also shows her love of dance by training in multiple styles. She especially enjoys hip-hop and has competed in several competitions with her previous schools. In her free time, Emma enjoys surfing, painting, and playing Magic: The Gathering with her friends.

The Rat King & Mama Moana

Derek Daniels is the president/owner of Derek DANIELS PRODUCTIONS (entertainment production). He is world-traveled, multi-lingual ( Japanese, French), passionate about everything that he
does and is a multi-faceted entrepreneur who always brings a distinctive style, vision and energy to everything he creates and/or is a part of.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Derek has traveled and lived around the world and worked in the entertainment industry for over 40 years. He is an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, instructor as well as a producer, director, costume designer, model, photographer and a recording artist with accomplishments in stage, film, television, fashion and music. With 10 years in Europe, three years in Japan, five years in the US and over 20 years back home in Hawaii, Derek is happy to share his talents and inspire up-and-coming entertainers and entrepreneurs to achieve their goals.