Erin Diehl, 15, of Severna Park is about to realize a lifelong dream. The ballerina will dance the role of Clara in the Chesapeake Ballet Company’s production of “The Nutcracker” this holiday season.
“Everyone knows the story of The Nutcracker. And every little girl wants to be Clara. It’s always been this distant dream of mine,” she says.
During the holiday season, many families attend a concert, play or performance to get in the seasonal spirit. Behind the magic of these performances are actors, singers and dancers — many of them youth — who train for months to prepare. Whether acting, singing or pirouetting across the stage, these young performers capture the spirit of the season with their extraordinary talents.
Here are the stories of three Maryland youth who will be in the spotlight this holiday season.
Dancing in The Nutcracker
When Erin Diehl auditioned for “The Nutcracker” last summer, she never imagined she would end up as the lead.
“I honestly didn’t expect it at all,” she says.
Erin has danced “The Nutcracker” with the Chesapeake Ballet Company for eight years in smaller roles, so dancing the part of Clara is the culmination of years of hard work.
A sophomore at Severna Park High School, Erin has been dancing since she was 3.
“Dance makes me happy and gives me a purpose,” she says. “To be a dancer, you have to be focused and train from a very young age.”
Erin takes classes four days a week at Dance Academy in Severna Park. She also rehearses with her high school’s dance company two afternoons a week. Her full schedule can be a challenge, but Erin says it’s worth it.
“I get so excited for each new show,” she says. “I can’t wait to learn my part, and I try to learn the whole thing before rehearsals even begin.”
Erin has danced roles in “Snow White” “The Snow Queen” and “Cinderella” for the Chesapeake Ballet Company. She loves the teamwork that goes into each production.
“Everyone enjoys the spotlight, but what I love most is the lead up,” she says. “I love tech week and watching all the elements come together — the costumes, the music, the sets.”
Erin’s commitment impresses her teachers as well.
“Erin knows what she needs to do before she even steps in the door,” says Barbara Haskell, director of the Chesapeake Ballet Company. “She’s that dedicated.”
Dmitri Malikov, the company’s artistic director, has high expectations for Erin’s future.
“Erin is a very dedicated dancer and she’s been on the right path since she was very little,” he says. “I certainly believe she has the potential to become a professional dancer someday.”
Erin hopes to audition for a professional ballet company after high school.
“For me, the ultimate goal would be to dance in a classically based professional ballet company,” she says. “Dance is my life.”
Chesapeake Ballet Company’s “The Nutcracker”
Children’s Theatre of Annapolis
1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis
Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 1 and 4 p.m.
Tickets: Adults, $20; younger than 12, $16
443-924-4358, chesapeakeballetcompany.com
Acting in “A Christmas Carol” at Ford’s Theatre
Last spring, Charlize Lefler found herself singing to Andrew Lloyd Weber as she auditioned for the Broadway production of “School of Rock” in New York.
“It was an amazing experience,” she says of making it through three callbacks for the role.
Although she did not get the part, the 11-year-old from Severna Park did land her first professional role in the Ford’s Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol” this month.
Charlize started acting just two years ago, but was immediately hooked.
“I love performing because it combines my three favorite things — dancing, acting and singing,” she says.
She began taking classes with Stageworkz, a Millersville theater arts studio, and has performed with other companies in Anne Arundel County such as The Talent Machine, Children’s Theatre of Annapolis and Colonial Players, most recently in the role of Molly in “Annie.”
Each week, Charlize takes tap, ballet, jazz, acting and voice lessons at Stageworkz and singing and piano lessons at Priddy Music Academy in Millersville. She is also the lead singer of a local teen band, Mistaken Identity.
“Charlize always draws in a crowd with her powerful and polished voice,” says Lee Priddy, owner of Priddy Music Academy. “It amazes people every time when I tell them her age.”
For “A Christmas Carol,” Charlize spent months preparing before rehearsals began in early November. She will perform the role of Belinda, one of the Cratchit sisters.
“I can’t wait to play this part,” she says. “It’s my first major speaking role with a lot more lines.”
The show runs six evenings a week, with matinee performances two or three afternoons a week. Although she shares the role, it still makes for a busy schedule for Charlize, who is homeschooled.
“It’s such a learning experience for Charlize to be able to work with professionals,” says her mom, Missy Lefler.
Acting in such an auspicious production is just the beginning for Charlize.
“I’m excited and nervous, scared and happy all at the same time,” she says. “But I’m doing what I love, and I just want to see where it takes me. I can’t wait to do it for the rest of my life.”
Ford’s Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol”
511 10th St. NW, between E and F streets
Nov. 19-Dec. 31; check website for showtimes
Tickets: $32-62
202-347-4833, fordstheatre.org
Singing for the Maryland State Boychoir
For 13-year-old Lucas Arzayus, the holidays are all about music.
“I just let go of all other distractions and feel the beauty of the music,” says the 13-year-old from Laurel.
Lucas is a member of the Maryland State Boychoir, a group of more than 150 singers ranging in age from 7 to 20, with traditions that date back more than 1,500 years.
This month the boychoir will perform the “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols,” an annual concert that combines traditional hymns with readings that reflect the season.
“The ‘Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols’ is my favorite performance all year,” Lucas says. “It’s a great time to reflect on the meaning of the season, and I love singing in a beautiful place like a cathedral.”
A Treble 1 singer, Lucas was encouraged to audition for the Maryland State Boychoir three years ago by his church choir director. Music, however, runs in the family. His sister plays the trumpet and his mom, Krisa, was a member of the renowned Moravian College choir in Bethlehem, Pa.
Lucas practices twice a week in the evenings at the Maryland State Boychoir Center for the Arts in Baltimore. He also has private voice lessons once a week during rehearsal hours and studies music theory as part of his training for the boychoir.
“Lucas is a passionate young man, full of life and energy,” says Stephen Holmes, artistic director of the Maryland State Boychoir. “He is an excellent leader and a very gifted musician — a true asset to our choir.”
As a member of the Tour Choir, an elite group of singers that travels for performances, Lucas visited Seattle; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Portland, Ore., this past summer. He also completed a fall tour, visiting various cities in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
“My love of music has escalated” since joining the Tour Choir, Luca says. “It used to be a hobby and now it’s potentially … my future career.”
His parents, Krisa and Felipe Arzayus, love the opportunities Lucas has found through the choir and the friends he has made.
“I think what’s been really neat is the chance for him to travel and see the world,” Krisa says. “It’s a really diverse group of kids from all walks of life. He’s made a lot of lasting friendships.”
Lucas also finds time to play the oboe and pursue his other passion — soccer. But it is music that brings him the most joy.
“I love singing,” he says. “ It’s just a wonderful feeling.”
Maryland State Boychoir’s “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols”
MSB Center for the Arts, 3400 Norman Ave., Baltimore
Sunday, Dec. 13 & 20 at 4 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $18-22
410-554-8644, marylandstateboychoir.org
