Dancers from Jacksons School of Performing Arts will hit a Baltimore stage next week. Eight of its “most advanced” members will join the Mid Atlantic Youth Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.

Jacksons teacher Emily Polasik said the trip from December 13 to 19 was a first for the Hamilton company.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity to show them dance outside of Bermuda,” she said.

“They’ll be surrounded by students who go to a performance high school and go to summer intensives and live and breathe dance. So it’s a great opportunity to expose them to it.”

The school’s fundraising efforts and a government grant helped make the trip possible.

“We received a Bermuda Arts Council grant and we’re very grateful for it,” Ms Polasik said. “The girls also did some fundraising. We had a car wash and had a donation yoga class but the Bermuda Arts Council grant was a big help for us.”

Fourteen-year-olds Hailey Hayward and Ruth Moniz are two of the students going on the trip.

“I’ve been dancing for 11 years,” said Hailey, who takes classes in ballet, pointe and tap. I am so excited to go somewhere other than Bermuda to perform, to show them where we’re from and represent Bermuda well.”

Ruth also started classes at the age of three. These days she is focused on ballet, contemporary and modern dance.

“I kept with it,” she said. “I did different styles and found styles I like. I’ve never been to Baltimore before and I’m excited. I didn’t think my parents were going to let me go. I begged.”

The invitation to perform came through Ms Polasik. Originally from Baltimore, she used to dance with the Mid Atlantic Youth Ballet. She teaches ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary yoga and pointe here.

“Mid Atlantic Youth Ballet performs The Nutcracker every year,” she said. “We will be in two performances there. They’ve been learning by video. When we arrive it will be the first time they’re doing the pieces with the rest of the class. The girls will also be taking dance classes with different teachers and [Mid Atlantic Youth Ballet] director, Nadia Letnaunchyn. Jeanne Legere, our director, is very excited for this opportunity for the girls.

“They were invited based on their level of technique and commitment to dance based on the number of hours put in at the studio, their attendance, work ethic, respectfulness and so on.

“Basically, knowing I can take them abroad to represent Bermuda and Jacksons and be confident they will represent us well.”