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Kyle Davis, a Green Bay native and former student of Jeanette Makaroff, will dance the lead role of the Cavalier in the Nutcracker performances on December 8 and 9 when the Makaroff Youth Ballet collaborates with the Fox Valley Symphony, the White Heron Chorale and the Fox Cities P.A.C. in this community presentation.

Davis’s dancing partner from Pacific Northwest Ballet, Leta Biasucci, will join him as the story’s Sugar Plum Fairy. In 2007, Davis danced the role of Cavalier in the Makaroff Youth Ballet’s first full-length presentation of The Nutcracker. The next year, he traveled to Switzerland where he was a prize winner at the Prix de Lausanne, a competition of the world’s finest young dancers.

“It means a great deal to me to return to the Makaroff Youth Ballet as a guest artist and perform at the Fox Cities P.A.C. This year’s Nutcracker marks the realization of a goal Jeanette has had for years. To be a part of this collaboration is a tremendous honor,” said Davis.

Makaroff, who has trained many professional dancers throughout the years, is equally pleased that Davis will again be performing with the group.

“Kyle began lessons with me when he was 12 years old and studied for four and a half years before heading to North Carolina School of the Arts. To have him come home gives credibility to the (Makaroff School of Ballet). It’s a mutual kind of ‘thank you’,” responded Makaroff.  “I knew from the very first class he ever took with me that he would become a professional dancer if he wanted to.  I told his parents that very day that Kyle would have to go to professional school by the time he was 16.”

Davis completed high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts, which has a resident program for dance.

“Kyle is a role model for male dancers in the area through his hard work, passion, commitment and dedication,” Makaroff said.

Davis added, “I hope I can be a role model for male dancers in Northeastern Wisconsin and inspire boys to study ballet. Ballet is both mentally and physically challenging, connecting athleticism and musicality. Professional ballet is a worthy and rewarding career.”

Another dancer reprising a lead role in the upcoming Nutcracker production will be Ashlee Bormes, who is a sophomore at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she is pursuing a degree in dance, as well as biochemistry. Bormes will dance the role of the Snow Queen. She graduated in 2011 from Neenah High School and was with the Makaroff Youth Ballet for several years.

The Makaroff Youth Ballet is a non-profit organization whose mission is to share the art of ballet with the Fox Cities and to provide its young advanced dancers with pre-professional performance opportunities.

Nutcracker performances are Saturday, December 8 at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 9 at 1:00pm. Nutcracker is part of the Boldt Arts Alive! Series and part of the 10th Anniversary Season. Tickets start at $20 through Ticketmaster or the Fox Cities P.A.C. box office. Additional information at makaroffyouthballet.org or foxcitiespac.com