Cream Ridge teen to perform as soloist in ‘The Nutcracker’

Ayla Eilert, 17, of Cream Ridge, will join renowned professional guest artists when she performs the soloist roles of Dew Drop, Lead Marzipan and Mouse Queen in this year’s full-length production of New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble’s beloved holiday classic “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 12-13 at Memorial Auditorium at Montclair State University, Montclair.

Celebrated dancers Morgan McEwen, Scott Weber, Rosemary Sabovick-Bleich, Joseph Fritz, Bradley Shelver, Mario Espinoza and Terence Duncan, from prestigious companies such as Ballet Hispanico, the National Ballet of Cuba, the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and the New Jersey Ballet, among others, join the ensemble for three performances at its new venue, the Memorial Auditorium at Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, on Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Dec. 13 at 2 p.m., according to a press release.

Ayla, who is the daughter of Amy and Daren Eilert, is a homeschooled senior through North Atlantic Regional High School. She will also be dancing the roles of Snowflake and Rose Waltz.

Ayla has been dancing with New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble since 2012 and has previously appeared in the roles of Spanish, Arabian and Lilac, according to the press release.

New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble’s “The Nutcracker” has a new home in Montclair for its 46th anniversary season.

Set to the classic music of Peter Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Artistic Director Nancy Turano, the ballet features more than 55 talented young dancers ages 7 through 18 from across New Jersey.

For more information, visit the website http://www.njdte.org/.