The Nutcracker: Powell dancer performs lead role in ballet on Saturday

Posted 12/15/16

The 17-year-old grew up dancing with the Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre in Cody and aspired to perform in a lead role someday.

“That has been my biggest goal as a dancer,” said Jones, who is a senior at Powell High School. “I am lucky to have …

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The Nutcracker: Powell dancer performs lead role in ballet on Saturday

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When she was just 5 years old, Kaety Jones debuted in the Nutcracker ballet. This weekend, she’ll take the stage as a lead dancer in the holiday classic.

The 17-year-old grew up dancing with the Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre in Cody and aspired to perform in a lead role someday.

“That has been my biggest goal as a dancer,” said Jones, who is a senior at Powell High School. “I am lucky to have the technical training and discipline from an amazing dance studio, which allows me to reach my full potential.”

Jones will perform as The Sugarplum Princess and Clara on Saturday evening. The 19th annual full-length ballet production at the Wynona Thompson Auditorium in Cody features a local cast of 100 dancers.

Jones said her role in the Nutcracker this year is very challenging and physical.

“In fact, I have had a difficult time keeping up with ordering pointe shoes because I have broken through so many!” she said.

For Jones, a highlight of the performance will be participating in the Snow Scene.

“Snow is such a magical dance,” she said. “It’s also seven straight minutes of cardio, with little to no breaks. I always feel the most accomplished after dancing Snow, as it is the most difficult group dance.”

She called it a great experience.

“… it reminds us as dancers that while it is nice to be a soloist and do your own thing, it feels even better to pull a beautiful dance off with 14 girls,” Jones said.

She also loves dancing Act 1, Party Scene as Clara, “because it is a lot of acting and being involved and dancing with our younger girls at the studio.”

During Sunday’s performance of the Nutcracker, Jones will be the Chinese lead while one of her longtime friends, Taylor VanDeer of Cody, will perform as Clara and The Sugarplum Princess.

“We are lucky enough to perform next to professional dancers Natalia Magnicaballi and Michael Cook, who will join us from The Suzanne Farrell Ballet and perform the role of Sugar Plum Fairy and

Cavalier,” she said.

Jones started dancing 13 years ago and has performed in the Nutcracker 12 times; her first roles were as an angel and an Arabian. Now, Jones teaches younger dancers their parts in the

holiday ballet.

“All of the younger dancers are so sweet and interested in what Taylor (VanDeer) and I are doing, and always seem to provide a word of support or make us smile exactly when we need it,” she said.

Jones teaches four year-round classes and two Nutcracker roles, in addition to her own dance classes.

“Preparing for this performance takes all of the time we can get, and especially the role of Sugarplum Princess requires additional time,” she said. “So all of my free time outside of schoolwork, classes and teaching, is spent refining my dances.”

Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre students start preparing for their Nutcracker roles in August; Jones was diagnosed with mono the same week rehearsals started.

“It’s been a long road to feeling better, but I am definitely on top of my game now,” she said. “All of my teachers, school and dance, were amazing and understanding of the situation, and really helped me to focus on my health.”

Elizabeth Fernandez, Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre’s artistic director, provides a lot of support, help and problem-solving, Jones said, adding “it would be much more overwhelming without her.”

Calling her a wonderful dance teacher, Jones said Fernandez “has taught me so many lessons, in the studio and the real world.”

“My favorite part about dancing is really the feel of the studio that Elizabeth has built,” she said. “She is so passionate about what she does, and it shows in everything.”

For Jones, the most rewarding part of her role in the Nutcracker is how connected she’s been to the studio.

“I am here more than I ever have been, and that allows me to create more relationships and memories,” she said.

After a dozen Nutcracker performances and countless hours of preparation, Jones said she loves how she never gets bored with working on the little details of her dancing.

“There is always room to improve,” she said.

She also sees her fellow dancers advance in the months leading up to the December ballet production. 

“My favorite scene to watch is Act 2, Land of Sweets. This is where the majority of our older dancers perform their respective leads, and it is amazing to see how much everyone grows from the start of the semester to the performance,” she said.

Jones said she appreciates all of the support she has, especially from her family, close friends, and the dance studio. Jones is the daughter of Dale and Jennifer Jones of Powell.

“I absolutely adore my family, and could not be where I am without the many sacrifices they have made, specifically my mom,” Jones said. “I have the most amazing support system in my life, and that is why I have the opportunity to succeed.”

In addition to her classes as a senior at Powell High School, Jones is dually enrolled at Northwest College. Jones plans to continue dancing in the future — she will attend the University of Wyoming, majoring in physiology and dance performance. 

As she prepares for her last Nutcracker performance with Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre, Jones said she’s thankful for the studio which provides amazing opportunities for local dancers and instills a sense of family.

“There is no other way I would have wanted to spend the last 13 years,” she said.

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