Harlow Hatin chosen as Clara in the Saint Augustine Ballet’s Nutcracker

Harlow Hatic, 12, will dance as Clara in the Saint Augustine Ballet’s Nutcracker performances, on stage Dec. 20-21 in Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College. Photo by Julie Guintard Abella

76 student dancers, local celebrities and professional artists also will be on stage

From the Saint Augustine Ballet

Saint Augustine Ballet is pleased to announce the casting for the role of Clara in their sixth annual production of The Nutcracker. This holiday favorite will be performed at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20-21 at Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., downtown St. Augustine.

The role of Clara will be danced by Harlow Hatin, the 12-year-old daughter of Jodi and Joe Hatin.

Harlow is a sixth grade student at Cathedral Parish School. Just like many other Saint Augustine dance students, she first started her dance training with Miss Sally Walton at the young age of four. Over the years she developed a love of hip-hop and jazz, and that passion led her to participate in a number of dance competitions.

She was delighted to win the high score and First Place in the category of Jazz at the renowned dance competition, Showstoppers. She has also enjoyed the experience of taking workshops with such notable choreographers as Travis Wall and Tyce Diorio, both from the  popular show, So You Think You Can Dance.

Harlow’s  interests changed drastically once she started her ballet training with her current teacher, Luis Abella, at the age of eight.  Since then there has been no looking back and ballet has been her passion ever since.

When asked what it means to dance the part of Clara, an easy smile spreads across her face as she replies, “It’s a dream for me to have this part. I’m proud and honored I was chosen to perform the role.”

Her mom, Jodi Hatin added, “I admire Harlow’s dedication to her ballet training, but we’re  also pleased that she still finds time for her faith, family, education, and friends.”

Harlow and a cast of over 76 student dancers, local celebrities, and professional artists will perform in Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College located at 14 Granada Street in Saint Augustine. Ticket prices are $25- $30 with $5 off for those 65 and older or 12 and under. For tickets visit www.saintaugustineballet.com or call 855-222-2849.

The St. Augustine Ballet was founded in 2010 as a nonprofit 501(C)3 arts organization. Saint Augustine Ballet strives to involve community members of all ages in meaningful dance experiences, whether as a participating dancer or audience member.

 Nutcracker 2014 Cast School Affiliations

Belle Terre Elementary
Jolynne Waldner

Bunnell  Elementary  School

Shayna Mayes

Cathedral Parish School

Harlow Hatin

Alexandra  Marie Welch

Crookshank Elementary School
Ofir Pizanti

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
Kai Tutor
Grace Alexander
Sydney Leiser

Durbin Creek Elementary
Tess Woodward

Florida State University
Rosa Bledsoe

Fruit Cove Middle School
Eléa Woodward

Gamble Rogers Middle School
Ella Wimpelberg

Harid Conservatory
Marissa Berk

Hartley Elementary
Camryn Jones
Julia Douglas
Alexa Walcott

Homeschool
Charity Young
Grace Karger
Emaleigh Layman
Emily Screnock

Ketterlinus Elementary
Alexa Smith

K12.com
Kismet Field

Liberty Pines Elementary
Grace Kelly
Eliza Earley

Mill Creek Elementary School
Elizabeth “Evie” Kirschling
Riley Kirschling
Abigail Major

Pacetti Bay Middle School
Zoey Gleason
Jordan Wallace
Patriot Oaks Academy
Sydney Scalzo
Pedro Menendez High School
Emma Cunningham

R.B. Hunt Elementary
Addie Wheeler Smith
Catherine Tutten
Izzy Mulligan

R.J. Murray Middle School
Jenny Albanesi
Alexis Jackson
Devin Mantei
Cayla Skeete

Saint Augustine High School
Lily Clingan-Darack
Katherine DeAcutis
Kiera Pheffer
Jake Karger
Marla Ayrish

Saint Augustine Public Montessori School
Josephine Anzelmo
Alex Abella

Saint Johns Academy
Paris Lugo

Saint Johns Virtual School
Kali  Lee

Timberlin Creek Elementary
Cinnamon Smith

Turning Point Christian Academy
Savannnah Cowne
Kierra Cabarcas

Valley Ridge Academy
Shaye Powers

Wards Creek Elementary School
Rylee Moore
Sydney Brockway
Lexi Brockway

Marissa Cannegieter

Webster Elementary School
Anthony Romero

University of Alabama
Charley Petersen
Markeith Douse

Local celebrities include two former mayors and one current county commissioner:
Joe Boles
Jane Boles
Tommy Bledsoe
Susan Johnson
Bill McClure
Vanessa Cunningham
Todd Batenhorst
Katherine Batenhorst
Luis Abella
Georgia Garrett
Tracy Upchurch
Beth Upchurch