San Antonio Youth Ballet’s
The Nutcracker
Our Annual Tradition
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San Antonio Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a cherished holiday tradition that brings Tchaikovsky’s beloved classic to life with artistry, joy, and festive magic. Performed with live accompaniment by the South Texas Symphonic Orchestra - our musical partners since 2018 - this production offers an immersive and unforgettable experience for dancers and audiences alike. From the sparkling Waltz of the Snowflakes to the enchanting Land of Sweets, The Nutcracker showcases the dedication, talent, and passion of our young dancers while celebrating the timeless wonder of the season.
Live Orchestra Partnership
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​San Antonio Youth Ballet is proud to present The Nutcracker with live accompaniment by the South Texas Symphonic Orchestra, a valued artistic partner since 2018. This collaboration brings extraordinary musical depth and authenticity to our performances, elevating the experience for dancers and audiences alike. Leading the orchestra is our esteemed conductor, Dr. Ronnie Sanders—an alumnus of The Juilliard School in New York City—who holds a Master of Music degree with a specialization in conducting and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University. A music educator for over thirty years, Dr. Sanders has earned Grammy Signature Awards for Excellence in Music Education in both 2010 and 2016. From 2011 to 2018, he also served as a State Commissioner for the Texas Commission on the Arts. Over the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Sanders has conducted symphonies, pop-era concerts, concerti, ballet, choral works, and numerous musicals, bringing a wealth of artistry and leadership to our stage.
About The Orchestra
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​The South Texas Symphonic Orchestra was founded in 2017. The founder’s vision was to create an orchestra capable of playing the finest music ever written at the highest artistic caliber. The South Texas Symphonic Orchestra invites classically trained musicians to play simply for the love of music and give them opportunities to perform and enrich our community.