Inspiring others, being inspired themselves, keeps 'Nutcracker' veterans coming back

GNBC’s annual holiday performance returns Dec. 12-13

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

If anyone knows “The Nutcracker,” it’s Isabella Guerrucci and Lillian Traver.

Each dancer has performed a whopping 17 years in the Greater Niagara Ballet Company’s showcase production, and each has taken on roles including grand march participant, soldier, mouse, bon-bon, candy cane, dew drop, junior corps, senior corps, and in scenes including Russian, Spanish, “Tea” and “Waltz of the Flowers.”

“I first started doing the show because of my older sister, Gianna,” Lewiston’s Guerrucci, 22, said. “My mom asked me one day if I wanted to be in ‘The Nutcracker.’ And I said, ‘Sure, it sounds like so much fun!’ And so basically, I haven't missed ‘The Nutcracker’ since, except for when we had to postpone the show because of COVID.”

Traver, a Youngstown native who will turn 25 ahead of this year’s holiday production, recalled, “My mom was the assistant director of the company my entire life, up until COVID. So, I don't really remember there being a conversation whether or not I wanted to do it (laughs)! I don't know if it mattered whether I wanted to do it.

“But I do definitely have memories of when I was very, very young, watching the older dancers – one of which is Mary Schnepf,” who is now the GNBC’s artistic director. “I have so many memories being in the studio, watching her wearing her pointe shoes and wearing a tutu. And I have this picture of where she would leave her tutu on the piano in the studio when she was done rehearsing. And I was always dragged along with my mom to every rehearsal and do everything with her. So, through that, I had these role models, like Mary Schnepf, and from a very young age, I wanted to be them, and I wanted to do that.

“I think also, I was obsessed with performing on the stage. My mom has stories of when I was young: Music would be playing in the house, and I would run out of the room and then run back in – because I heard the music coming on, and it was like I was recreating what I would see in the studio: the girls running off and on.”

That magical feeling they first felt nearly two decades ago is part of the reason Guerrucci and Traver returned in 2025.

“When I'm at the ballet company now, I get to see a lot of my own students, which I love” said Traver, who teaches at Lewiston Dance and the Performing Arts Studio in Hamburg.

Guerrucci, who also instructs at Lewiston Dance and teaches with the GNBC, added, “It's really inspiring to see those dancers from those studios find a love for ballet, that they also want to perform in this show with us, as well. It's also great for those that find ballet is, ‘Oh, it's just ballet.’ But where it comes to telling a story like ‘The Nutcracker,’ it gets them all excited to be a part of this show – and even, too, those that may join us in the next year or two after watching us, it will inspire them to perform with us, as well.”

“This is our family,” Traver said. “We both grew up in this studio. We've spent more time than you can imagine in the NACC building,” where rehearsals are held, “and it really is like a home. It's just somewhere where I'm really comfortable.

“I value the ballet company and the arts being in Niagara Falls so much, and I want to support that as much as I can. That's a big reason I wanted to do the community outreach, because I think it's so important to get children involved in something that is so beneficial in so many aspects of life.

“And now, being in my mid-20s, I'm really seeing how much being a part of this company has helped me, as a person, go off and do this and that; and knowing I have that strong foundation of ballet, it's helped me in a lot of different areas of life, I think.”

Guerrucci said, “I have, genuinely, so many memories in this studio, just from being a little 5-year-old dancer watching, not just my sister, but the generation of the corps dancers, also from 'Waltz' to now the sugar plum fairy.

“Personally, I love doing the show. It's like I always say, ‘It can't be Christmas without “Nutcracker.” ’ It truly is. And now, just getting to be in my mid-20s, I love that I get to be … inspired.”

The other reason returning to “The Nutcracker” is an easy “Yes” is the show’s directors, Schnepf and Mary Pappagallo.

“Beverley Feder has such a special place in my heart, and I love that woman so much,” Traver said of the GNBC’s founder and original artistic director. “I love working with Mary Schnepf so much. I've looked up to her my whole life. My entire life, I have been watching her in the studio; and I've just always admired her strength. But the grace she brought with that strength, and the way she carried herself, I think she set such an amazing example for the young dancers coming up through the studio.

“When I think of a ballerina, I think of her. But she brings that strength that I think a lot of other dancers don't have. So, having that at the forefront, leading everyone, I think, is really special.”

Traver added, “What I'm finding dancing with Mary and from the classroom, is that knowing how strong she is, and having watched her dance – and she is still so strong, and she is still dancing with us – back to that word ‘inspiring.’ It makes me want to work so much harder, because I'm working for her. I'm working for this amazing dancer that is not stopping! It motivates me a lot more.”

Guerrucci said, “What I love about working with Mary P. is that she just has this background of not just working with dancers but also working in a school district. And so, over these last few weeks I have worked with her, I feel like I get the opportunity to really listen and to take how she's teaching her students and putting it into my teaching methods. The way that she teaches is a lot of storytelling methods (that) really gets the kids excited and gets them really involved.”

The first act “has improved so much because she's basically asking the questions towards the end of rehearsals. Like, ‘What do you do at this certain part? And then, what do you do at this certain part?’ And I've definitely seen the increase in their learning abilities and getting the scenes down. It gets me really inspired to teach those younger students.”

Unique to the GNBC’s production of “The Nutcracker” is that the show invites dozens of local elementary school-aged dancers to participate – something not every company would do.

“I think the directors have done an amazing job of really making it such a community and incorporating everyone and making everyone feel very welcomed – which I think is not a reputation that all ballet companies have,” Traver said. "It is really amazing that the GNBC prioritizes that so much."

Schnepf said, “What makes our ‘Nutcracker’ unique is the heart behind it. Each season, I’m amazed by our community. While we welcome new children every year, most of our dancers are returning from the previous year. Plus, this season we have more soloist‑level performers than we’ve had recently, and they are helping to mentor the younger generation. From age 6 to 70, every cast member brings their own story to the stage, and that authenticity, I think, resonates with audiences.”

“The Nutcracker” returns to the Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center, 4455 Porter Road, for performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets are on sale now at Tututix, and are valid for any of the three shows. They also can be purchased at the door.

Visit www.greaterniagaraballetcompany.org.