Teen Is First Latina To Star In Tennessee’s Nutcracker Ballet

Alondra Gomez of Chattanooga, Tennessee may only be 14 years old, but she’s already making history in the state’s local ballet company as the first Latina to be cast in a major role.

Gomez came to America six years ago from Mexico and started learning ballet before she could speak English. Telling the Times Free Press that she had never even heard of ballet before she came to this country, she claims that her dream is to dance with the American Ballet Theatre in New York City.

Although she’s one of the youngest dancers ever cast to play the Sugar Plum Fairy in Ballet Tennessee’s production of The Nutcracker, those who know and work with her say she’s a natural and that in this case, age doesn’t matter:

“She has the technical skills, the maturity and the ability to carry herself onstage and command that stage by herself in that leading-role position,” [Ballet Tennessee artistic director Anna Baker] VanCura said.

Watch an interview with the prima ballerina rehearsing on The Times Free Press‘ website.

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