Bronx elementary kids perform “The Nutcracker”

Dancing is a part of Zeta Charter Schools' innovative after school programming.
Dancing is a part of Zeta Charter Schools’ innovative after school programming.
Photo courtesy Zeta Charter Schools

On Monday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m., Zeta Charter Schools — a high-performing charter school network serving pre-K through 5th grade across six campuses in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan — held its first ever production of “The Nutcracker” at the Zeta South Bronx Elementary School campus. There were 45 3rd through 5th grade students performing the production for Zeta families after more than a month of rehearsals with professional New York City Ballet teaching artist Frankie Sulla and the Zeta South Bronx dance teacher. As part of the experience, Zeta students attended a live “Nutcracker” ballet at the Lincoln Center.

Additionally, on Tuesday, Dec. 20th at 3 p.m., approximately 350 kindergarten through 2nd grade students at Zeta Bronx Tremont Park Elementary School held their first normal winter showcase since the start of the pandemic, where students performed a series of dances for Zeta families in celebration of the holiday season. The dances focus and incorporate creative movement and technique from both ballet and jazz dance, which students have learned as a part of Zeta’s innovative after school programming.

Zeta Charter School kids perform "The Nutcracker."
Zeta Charter School kids perform “The Nutcracker.”Photo courtesy Zeta Charter Schools
Zeta Charter School students learn the steps from a professional New York City Ballet dancer.
Zeta Charter School students learn the steps from a professional New York City Ballet dancer.Photo courtesy Zeta Charter Schools