Havertown man prepares for the holidays in role in The Nutcracker

Havertown resident Tim Early is preparing for the holidays by rehearsing for his role in Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

Early is passionate about dance. He is one of the lucky ones who makes a living doing something he loves.

Early has studied ballet, modern dance and jazz, and in addition to choreographing and performing, he enjoys a full-time teaching schedule. For those who have studied dance in the region, it is likely Early has taught or performed for them.

“I didn’t dance as a kid but discovered dancing when I was about 19 and really enjoyed it. I took my first ballet class when I was 24,” said Early. “At the time, it was something fun to do, and I certainly didn’t expect to make a career of it.”

Fast forward almost 30 years and Early has managed to design a life around his passion for dance, and it keeps him young. Juggling a family life and a hectic schedule (Early and his wife, Kristina, have two daughters), he said he feels more accomplished than ever.

“What I love most is that I am always evolving, always striving to meet expectations,” he said. “I feel I have been very lucky to be have developed a career where there are so many rewards through creativity.”

Early is preparing to dance as one of the professional soloists in the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” Nov. 18, 19 and 20 at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. As a seasoned dancer, he is able to share his expertise with students at the academy, the renowned school in Narberth dedicated to teaching classical ballet.

He dances in the role of the Snow King and performs the challenging pas de deux with Julia Lawless, of Penn Valley. He said he takes pride in helping the students at the academy build their self-confidence. They have rehearsed since early September in preparation for the five performances at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center.

Early said he enjoys being a mentor and he’s good at it.

“It’s important to cultivate confidence in the younger dancers and provide them with guidance, to collaborate with them,” he said. “When rehearsing and then performing the pas de deux, it is a true partnership. There is a great trust factor between the two partners. I love dancing with others — either with a partner or in a group — so much more than performing on my own. I enjoy the connection and the energy that occurs when dancing with others.”

Besides performing, Early’s teaching schedule keeps him working most every night of the week either in Phoenixville, Havertown, West Chester or Wayne. Early boosts the confidence of his students by testing them with new material and novel ideas.

“I like to challenge my students to rise to a place they have never been before with their dancing,” he said. “It’s exciting for them when they meet the challenge, and it’s thrilling to see as a teacher.”In addition to teaching, Early choreographs for several companies and universities including Lafayette College, Moravian College, West Chester University, Brandywine Ballet and Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. To top it all off, he is co-director of the Philadelphia-based modern dance company Opus I Contemporary.

This November marks the 27th year the PA Academy of Ballet Society will perform “The Nutcracker” at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, and Early has performed every year. Along with Early and the students, there are several other professional soloists who perform. Each time Early steps into rehearsals, he is excited to discover something new, he said.

“I’m always asking myself, ‘How can I make this production excellent?’ I feel I need to contribute as much as I can every time I’m on the stage.”

Early works with several forms of dance but said rehearsing classical ballet means coming back to the core foundation of dance.“Ballet is extremely difficult. It’s very structured and yet so beautiful. The material itself is a challenge. The shear difficultly of perfection is the challenge. And the real challenge comes in making it look effortless.”

It is the mission of the PA Academy of Ballet Society to educate the public and to raise awareness about the art of ballet. By making the tickets affordable, more people have the opportunity to experience “The Nutcracker” performed by accomplished and professionally trained dancers.The fact that the students at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet study only classical ballet demonstrates they are serious about the challenge, extremely focused and committed to the art form. Early said he believes the adults in the audience will appreciate the professionalism and the attention to technical detail.

When it comes to the young audience members, the story of “The Nutcracker” is “magical,” said Early. The performances at UDPAC provide an excellent opportunity to introduce children to the classic tale.“The young kids in the audience get the opportunity to go on a journey with Marie and follow the story that is filled with adventure,” Early siad. “Everything on the stage matters to them and provides something they can relate to.”

Whether it’s the opening scene where the children and adults are enjoying a holiday gathering, the argument by brother and sister over a gift, the battle of the mice, the falling snow,or the performances by ambassadors from foreign lands, “nothing can compare to the experience of watching a live performance for the young audience members, the costumes, the lights, the sets. Everything on the stage matters to them as the action and the story come alive before their eyes,” Early said. “It’s an experience that children simply can’t get from watching TV or playing computer games.”

Now that Early’s daughters are ages 6 and 10, he said it is thrilling for him to share the experience and the tradition of “The Nutcracker” with them.

“My youngest is helping backstage during the performances. Being able to share what I do with my family is by far more rewarding than I could’ve imagined,” he said.