Sydney is getting to live a dream come true being this years Clara! An 8th grader at Heritage Academy, Sydney is no new comer to The Nutcracker stage. Her previous roles include; Candies, Ginger Kid, Party Girl, Mouse, Soldier, Snow Flurry, Snowflake, Lead Fairy, and Jesters! When she isn't dancing Sydney loves to eat, sleep, be with family and friends, and watch tv! When asked why she dances Sydney said, "Dance makes me extremely happy! I lobe how everyone at dance is my big family and we care about each other. Even when I might be unhappy, I can put all of my emotions into what I'm dancing and it makes me feel so much better!" She would like to thank her parents for being some of her biggest supporters through her life and for loving and caring for her. To Katie, for giving her the opportunity to be Clara and for believing in her. To all her dance teachers for working with her and getting her to where she is today. And "I want to thank my older sister (Snow Queen) for being one of my biggest supporters, helping me with my technique, believing in me, and loving me. I want to thank you for making me laugh and smile just by joking and laughing we me and sometimes at me (in the nicest way possible ;) "

Hailey is a Senior this year at Mountain View High School. Being in the Nutcracker since she was a little girl Hailey is beyond excited to get to fulfill her dream of being the Sugar Plum. Her previous roles have included; Dew Drop, Snow Queen, Reed Flutes, Dolls, Party Girl, Russians, Snowflake, Flower, Snow Sprite, and Sweeter Music. When she is not dancing, Hailey is a part of the Mountain View Pom Team. She loves cheering and games and competitions, hang out with friends and family, drive around blasting music, go to Swig, and making as many memories as possible. Hailey says she dances because it makes her feel unstoppable and like she can do anything! It helps her heal, forget all her problems, and can be very therapeutic. She says dance is all she has ever known and she doesn't know what she would do without it! "I'd like to thank my parents for always supporting me through my dance career and standing by me no matter how many expensive costumes or backstage meltdowns I've had! I'd also like to thank my dance teachers for getting me to this point of being able to perform my dream role for as long as I can remember. And last but not least, I'd love to thank our director Katie for mentoring me since I was just a baby. I truly admire her dedication as she pours her heart and soul into this production she loves so dearly. Year after year she continues to blow me away and there is no way I'd be here without her!"

Ramon is a guest artist to INPSIRE Entertainments Nutcracker this year! He has also had the privilege of performing as the Mouse King, Bear, and a member of the Spanish Corps in other productions. When he is not training Ramon enjoys country swing dancing, longboarding, listening to music, running, and bonfires with friends. When asked why he chose dance he answered, "I love dancing because it combines music with motion of the body. It is able to create such a beautiful form of art that can bring music to life. I love performing and hope to be able to inspire young minds watching to want to dance and be able to feel what I feel when I dance!"

A Senior at Mountain View High School, Emma is this years Dew Drop as well as being in Snow and Sweeter Music. She has previously been able to perform the roles of Snow Queen, Spanish Soloist, Arabian Soloist, Snow Sprite, Flowers, Russians, and Party Boy. Emma is on the Pom team at Mountain View and she loves cheering at games and competing with her team. She also loves to hangout with her friends and enjoys family time. "Dance has always been a big passion of mine that I loved to share with others. I enjoy bettering myself and applying corrections to be the best dancer I can be. I love the fact that dance is an athletic art. It is a way of expressing myself through movement and emotion. I have loved dancing for 16 years and wouldn't trade it for the world!" She would like to thank her dance directors for making Nutcracker not only happen, but enjoyable. Especially a big thanks to Katie Beeson for always sharing her passion for Nutcracker with her. She would also love to thank my parents and family for always supporting me, coming to my shows, and even participating in the Nutcracker some years! Lastly, and most importantly, she would like to thank her Heavenly Father for giving her the gift of dance and the opportunity to perform a show she loves so dearly.

Brooklyn is a Senior this year at Red Mountain. Growing up in a Nutcracker family Brooklyn has been in the production since she was a little girl. Some of her favorite roles include Arabian, Snow, Jesters, Russians, Party Girl, and Soldier Doll. Some of her favorite things to do are drive around late at night with her friends, dance, and compete for Pom and Dance. She is also a part of the Red Mountain Pom team. Brooklyn says dance helps her control her emotions and release whatever she needs to let go from the day. "Thank you Krista for being there for me since day one and for always having my back. Thank you Katie for seeing something in me and giving me the opportunity to do what I love. Thank you to my parents Ryan and Andrea for spending a whole bunch of money on me so I could do what I love all these years. Thank you to my sister Sydney for pushing me and giving me the encouragement that I need to get through every day. Thank you all for making these past 7 years amazing and helping me make memories that I'll never forget."

Eric plays many roles in our Nutcracker! On top of being Drosselmeyer, he also is part of our tech crew, is INSPIRE entertainments communications director, he is INSPIRE's Vocal Performance Company director, and Clara's understudy! ;) Eric is getting straight A's in the School of Life! He loves spending his time with his family, singing, laughing, serving, teaching, creating, and going to church. Eric loves performing because he says he can speak to anyone, but this way they will "listen" more intently than anything he could possibly say. He believes in the power of the Arts. "I thank first my Heavenly Father, my family, and my INSPIRE family. We are a collection, a sum of the parts and the people that surround us. If I am Good, it's because I'm surrounded by goodness!"

Trey Foutz has been dancing since the age of 3. He has played several different roles in the Nutcracker including the Nutcracker Prince, Russians, Drosselmeyer's Nephew, and Fritz! He is also trained in Hip Hop and Tap, and is a current teacher for INSPIRE's Hip Hop Crew and Tap Company. He recently returned home from serving a 2 year mission for his church in Baltimore, Maryland, where he learned to speak Spanish as he associated with people from many different Spanish speaking countries. He is thankful for his mom, Krista, who has made dance such a big part of his life and has been his biggest fan all along the way; Katie, who has helped him be the best Nutcracker Prince he can be; and for his brother, Crew, for not poking him in the eye during the Battle Scene.

Crew Foutz, 18, is currently a freshman at Mesa Community College. He is a proud member of the INSPIRE Hip Hop Crew where he helps choreograph hopefully-award-winning pieces! He says that dancing with all those young people really makes him feel quite dilapidated. Crew will appear this year as the Mouse King, Dragon Head, and a special appearance so keep an eye out! In addition to these roles, he has previously been a Russian as well as an audience member. Crew likes to dance because it is "pretty fun" and there are "pretty girls"! He would like to thank his mother, Krista, for raising him to dance; Katie, for putting up with his and Trey's shenanigans during rehearsals; Christine, for all of the work with the costumes; "And last but not least, to my mice! Who cherish my every word!" ;)

Megan is a Junior this year at Mountain View High School. This year Megan is the Spanish Soloist and part of the Waltz of the Snowflakes as well as Sweeter Music. Some of her previous roles include Chinese Soloist, Reed Flutes, and Spanish Core. Megan is a member of the Mountain View Choir and performs with them through out the year. She also loves to act, spend time with friends, and of course dance! Music is such a big part of her life so when asked why she loves dance she said being able to express herself through music by dancing brings her so much joy! She wants others to feel the same joy she does so she dances for them as well as herself. "I would like to thank my parents for being willing to spend so much of their time and money on dance and for being my biggest supporters."

Baylee is a Freshman at Casteel High School this year and is our Reed Flute Soloist. Baylee is also performing in the roles of Russians and waltz of the flowers! Her previous roles have included flowers, Snowflakes, Gingerettes, Soldier Doll, and Russians. When she isn't dancing Baylee can be found dancing in the rain, listening to music, watching Hallmark movies, or sleeping! Bayless says that she dances because there is nothing in this life that makes her more happy! She genuinely loves every aspect of dance and the joy it brings her. Baylee wants to thank her parents and her friends for always being there for her and to the directors who work extra hard to make this show happen!

Brooke attends Highland High School and is a Sophomore this year! Brooke will be performing the Chinese Solo this year and a Snowflake in Waltz of the Snowflakes. In previous years, Brooke has been in the Arabian, Reed Flute, and Waltz of the Flowers acts. Some of Brookes favorite things to do are pom, dance, hanging out with friends, playing the piano, and reading. Brooke dances because she loves it and loves the opportunity it gives her to express herself. She would like to thank her wonderful parents, amazing siblings, and the best teacher, Katie!

Megan is a Freshman at Highland High School. This year Megan is part of the Arabian Trio as well as the Waltz of the Flowers Corps ballet. Megan has also performed as a party girl and flower in previous years. She loves to read, play video games, and listen to music. When asked why she loves dance Megan said, "It is a form of artistic expression for me, and it just makes me feel good!" She would like to thank all those who have helped her get to this point in her life and thank everyone who has come to the show to watch our performance!

Kayla is a Freshman at Highland High School. Along with being in the Arabian Trio, Kayla is also in the Spanish Corps and Waltz of the Flowers. Her previous roles include Doll, Party Girl, Snow Flurry, and Russians. Some of Kayla's favorite things to do besides dance are reading, hanging out with friends, and stargazing! Kayla says she dances because she loves it! She says there is always something to be working towards in dance no matter how good you get. Getting to perform and compete onstage is the best feeling! Kayla would like to thank everyone for coming to support the show and to all those who have supported her and loved her along her journey so far! "I hope you enjoy it! :) "

Sophia is an 8th grader at Heritage Academy Mesa. Having done many roles such as mouse, angel, fairy, Mouse Doll, Gingerette, Jesters, Russians, Snowflake, and more, Sophia is excited to be a part of the Arabian Trio, Russians, and Waltz of the Flowers for this years performance. Outside of dance she enjoys diving, hanging out with friends, and shopping for clothes and shoes! Sophia is very passionate about dance. She says it makes her feel free of all her stress and emotions from the outside world. Sophia would like to thank her parents for always supporting her, her dance directors Shelley and Krista, Lyndsey, and Taani, and the incredible Nutcracker director Katie Beeson! "You are all amazing and so funny but know how to get things done! I love you all!"