The Nutcracker presented by Inland Dance Theatre

A long standing holiday tradition in the Inland Empire comes back again for its 40th production of Inland Dance Theatre’s “The Nutcracker”. Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, about a young girl named Clara who dreams of the Nutcracker, Prince, and a fierce battle against a Mouse King, is one of the most popular ballets of all time. Come be transported to the land of sweets and be awed by the beautiful dancing of the Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy.

The Nutcracker ballet is performed by aspiring and professional dancers from around the Inland Empire. Come visit this long standing holiday tradition and support the local arts. Guest artists have been part of Inland Dance Theatre’s production throughout the years. This year is no different. Guest artists from the San Diego Ballet will dance the roles of the Sugar Plum Cavalier and Sugar Plum Fairy. They are husband and wife Russian born dancers Maxim and Ekaterina Tchernychev. The 80-member Inland Dance Theatre cast of all ages is made up of amateur and professional dancers and actors from throughout Southern California.

Friday December 4, 2015 8 pm
Saturday December 5, 2015 8 pm
Sunday December 6, 2015 2:15 pm

Cost: $20.00 to $30.00

For more information check out IDA’s website:

Inland Dance Academy

Evette DeMarco Swinson Evette DeMarco Swinson began her ballet training in Riverside with Mary Lynn Waterman and Clinton Rothwell of the National Ballet of Canada. She was awarded a Ford Foundation Scholarship from the School of American Ballet at the age of 12 and studied with the Harkness House for Ballet Arts with David Howard in New York at the age of 15.

She began teaching at Inland Dance Academy (formerly known as Noerr Dance Academy) in 1985. Upon retiring from dancing in 1996, she has continued to teach at many Southern California schools including the University of California Irvine, DeFore Foundation for the Arts, and California Riverside Ballet Company. Evette has also been a guest teacher for Ballet Prejlocage of France and Rambert Ballet of England. She has also coached professional dancers from the San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and The New York City Ballet.

Evette has been Ballet Mistress/Choreographer for Inland Dance Theatre’s production of the Nutcracker for over 28 years as well as Artistic Director for Inland Dance Theatre’s Coppelia.

Diane Amendt Diane Amendt’s dedication to the art of dance began at the age of seven. A native of San Bernardino, Diane has appeared in various local productions including Mikado, Brigadoon, Hello Dolly, and several Carousel of the Arts and Junior University productions. Diane has made ten appearances in Inland Dance Theatre Company’s Nutcracker held annually at the California Theatre. She has danced in several parts in this classic Christmas tale giving her a deep understanding and appreciation of this ballet.

As a graduate of the University of California at Riverside and holder of an Elementary Cecchetti Teaching Certificate, she is currently teaching 3rd grade for the Colton Unified School District. Diane has been instructing ballet at Inland Dance Academy for over thirty years. Her enthusiasm for dance and the arts led to her current position as Artistic Director of the Inland Ballet Theatre Company. In March 1992, Diane was honored for her outstanding contribution to the performing arts in the Inland Empire by the University of Redlands, Town and Gown. In 1993, Diane received recognition from the San Bernardino City School District for her success in the performing arts.

Diane has students who have been accepted into professional ballet schools across the United States and Canada, bringing national recognition to the Inland Ballet Theatre Company