An Early College High School student has been chosen to be the principal character in Ballet Austin’s 61st Annual Production of The Nutcracker.

For junior Sophia Reass, the role of Clara has been a long time coming.

“What had originally inspired me to start ballet when I was 4 years old was a video of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker,” she said. “I was completely enamored with everything about the variation; the glittery costume and the grace the dancer presented was the epitome of beauty to me and I knew that was what I wanted to do.”

In the classroom, Sophia is a student leader who was recently inducted into ECHS’s National Honor Society.

“We are very proud of Sophia,” said Dr. Elizabeth Wilson, principal of Early College High School. “She is an extremely gifted ballet dancer, who also shines academically at ECHS.”

Sophia said the key to her success is time management skills and dedication.

“Being able to balance my high school and college courses with rehearsals and practices has become second nature to me,” she said. “I am fortunate enough, though, to be surrounded by a great support system at home, ECHS, and Ballet Austin. Having that has helped me excel in both my academic and artistic studies.

“I put as much effort into school as I do in dance, setting a goal that I want to achieve and not stop pushing myself until I have done so.”

The Nutcracker tells the story of a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King. The show features sparkling costumes, twinkling sets, and live accompaniment of Tchaikovsky’s score by the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

Sophia was one of 150 dancers chosen to participate in the ballet.

“It still feels so surreal every time I even think about how I get the chance to perform the role of Clara with Ballet Austin,” Sophia said. “It has been my dream to perform with a professional company since I was young and this role has not only gotten me one step closer to that dream, but has given me a chance to live it, too.”

Watch Sophia dazzle audiences with her performance Dec. 2–23 at The Long Center for the Performing Arts.