I had no idea how Ron and Carinne would impact my life the day I started work with Sacramento Ballet.

Ron Cunningham as Dr. Drosselmeyer
(photo by Kyle Lemoi)

As I reflect on my time with Sacramento Ballet many wonderful memories come to mind.. If I had to pick one of the most inspiring moments it would be the Transition Scene in The Nutcracker. To see Ron's portrayal of Drosselmeyer is fun and a very moving experience. Ron always gave all he had to this role. Which in turn inspired me to do the same in my roles. Ron's passion and love of the theater inspired me beyond words.

Another memory was the impending question from on stage at the theater, who's teaching warm-up? And suddenly from a distance..........heels? clogs? Dr. scholls? Get ready to be Bindisized! Here we go!  (note from SacBallet: this is in reference to Carinne Binda teaching Company Class on-stage at the Theater prior to a performance. She is an amazing teacher and gets them very well warmed up for their performances...and usually does so in non-ballet shoes. Her feet are amazingly arched and lovely to watch, even in clogs.)

I had no idea how Ron and Carinne would impact my life the day I started work with Sacramento Ballet. There is not one day that goes by or one class I teach that I don't think about these two wonderful human beings.

A few words that sum up Nutcracker for me are; Fred Shadle's smile, Teresa's candies, sharing a dressing room with Lynlee, fighting with Kirsten on stage during a Marzipan run-through. Spanish with Luis.......ouch!. Watching Lynlee slide down Rome in Arabian, Kirsten crawling off stage in Flowers, Michael Johnson's sixty five cross-overs in act one. The list goes on and on. 

Natalee Pecorelli, Col. Fred Shadle and Marla Quinn

Andrea Gaudet