Hutchison Ballet Dancers Bring Holiday Magic to Life in “The Nutcracker” Productions
If you are planning to attend a production of "The Nutcracker" this holiday season, you might see a Hutchison girl in the performance!
More than 20 Hutchison girls will grace stages across the Memphis area this holiday season as they perform in "The Nutcracker" with various local dance companies.
Our talented dancers will spread holiday cheer as part of productions with Ballet Memphis, Buckman Dance Conservatory, Children’s Ballet Theater, and Performing Arts of Germantown. We are proud to see our girls shine on stage and express themselves through dance!
You can see our girls dance in the following performances:
Ballet Memphis When: Dec. 17 at 7:30 pm, Dec. 18 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm, and Dec. 19 at 2:00 pm Where: Orpheum Theatre Performers: Bailey Wiener ’24, Sofia Frisch ’25, Anna Chiozza ’26, Maggie Miller ’26, Abby Portnoy ’27
Buckman Dance Conservatory When: Dec. 3 at 6:00 pm and Dec. 4 at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm Where: Buckman Arts Center Performer: Caroline Nappier ’23, Grey Adkins ’33, Sienna Rodda ’36
Children’s Ballet Theater When: Dec. 5 at 2:00 pm Where: Cannon Center Performers: Olivia Lester ’24, Sammye Kate Selecman ’26, Isla Jane Campbell ’33, Annie Covington ’33, Katie Cruzen ’33, Reid Dunavant ’33, Ellen Edwards ’33, Maddie Gabriel ’33, Lily Moore ’33, Parker Sones ’33, Lilli Greer Sutton ’33, Gigi Wilson ’33, Elle Wright ’33
Editor's note: the following performance has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Performing Arts of Germantown Performers: Adela Calzada ’24, Sakshi Singh ’24, Gracie Wilkinson ’24
Nine Hutchison upper school girls served the Memphis community during the Church Health Youth Service Council’s inaugural year and will continue to serve on the council next school year.
Jordan Deupree ’24 and Bailey Wiener ’24 have been recognized for their leadership in their selection for the Next Gen program, which provides students with mentorship and opportunities to learn more about the Memphis business community.
Hutchison alumna Dr. Kelly Rodney Arnold ’96 had the honor of serving as the commencement speaker for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s College of Arts and Sciences ceremony in May 2024.
At Hutchison, Zelia Cedeño-Avila ’24 stepped out of her comfort zone to try many different things and hone in on her interest in science and math, from serving as Technology Council president to creating a robotic scarecrow for her myExperience capstone project. A lifelong learner, she will bring her knowledge and skills to Vanderbilt University, where she plans to study mechanical engineering.
Three upper school students will participate in high-intensity summer programs in subjects including emerging technologies, international studies, and computational physics.
A discovery in one science class led Izzy Ellis ’24 to delve deeper into her interest in biology and map out a path for college and beyond. Along the way, she nurtured other interests, from athletics to civics. An aspiring oncologist, her dream is to find a new, innovative treatment that could help save lives.
Hutchison world language students participated in the 2024 U of M Language Fair, sponsored by The University of Memphis Department of World Languages and Literatures. Demonstrating their knowledge of Spanish, Hutchison had a total of 12 students win awards at the fair.
AP Scholar and National African American Recognition Program Scholar Lauren Coleman ’24 explored her interest in science and the environment at Hutchison. She hopes to make a difference through a career in sustainability.
J’oules Williams ’24 is a member of Memphis Parent magazine’s inaugural 10 under 20 class. The award celebrates youth who strive to make a difference in their community and change the lives of others for the better.
Adela Calzada ’24 has attended Hutchison since pre-K, and she said it allowed her to blossom into a leader who also makes Hutchison feel like home for her peers.
Our inaugural graduating class of the myExperience program presented their capstone projects with confidence, poise, and enthusiasm at our first myExperience Senior Showcase.
Excelsior! Demonstrating their knowledge of Latin, Hutchison had a total of 10 students win awards at the Tennessee Junior Classical League Convention.
Jayla Dorsey ’24 was a dedicated member of the varsity basketball team all four years of her high school experience, and she credits her coach, teammates, and Hutchison community members for believing in her.
Avery Webb ’26 enjoyed the opportunity to shadow Rep. John Gillespie in Nashville as he interacted with state officials and legislators, and she even got to meet Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
Hutchison Now highlights graduates early in their careers who embody how a Hutchison education can lead anywhere you can imagine. We spoke with Mary Catherine Hughes ’10, a development associate at the Nashville Repertory Theatre.