Junior Brieann Neill has been dancing ballet at Southold Dance Theater since she was 3 for an astonishing 13 years!

Having performed in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Cinderella, Giselle, La Bayadere, and Coppelia, Neill has wide experience with ballet. Over the past summers she has trained with Bella Moxi and the Los Angeles Ballet. She has competed in YAGP(Youth American Grand Prix). Neill sees ballet as a form of expressing herself.

Her favorite part of ballet is making memories with her friends. She rehearses 26 hours a week, having classes to start off her night and then going immediately into rehearsals for her performances. On December 11-12 she will be performing in the Nutcracker at the Morris Performing Arts Center by dancing in the snow core, Spanish dance, and flower core. She is most excited for the snow scene because of the wonderful costumes they have for it. They started rehearsing for the Nutcracker back in October.

Performing the Nutcracker at Southold comes along with many traditions, some of which being, holding hands in a circle and passing the energy wishing everyone luck before the performance. They also have a secret santa every year, along with playing Christmas music before every Nutcracker show.

Neill is already sad when she thinks about how much she will miss ballet when she graduates next year. She will miss performing on stage for many people and miss seeing her friends that she has made over the years with Southold. Make sure you and your friends go support Brieann Neill at the Nutcracker this year!