When three-year-old Ella Holcomb saw her first performance of UNCSA’s “The Nutcracker” at the Stevens Center, she was instantly enchanted by the magic unfolding onstage.
Now, more than a decade later as a student in the School of Dance, Holcomb is living her childhood dream and stepping into the iconic role of the Sugar
Plum Fairy in UNCSA’s 60th production.
Holcomb performing as a Ginger Snap in the 2022 production of "The Nutcracker" / Photo:
Peter Mueller
“It feels very full circle,” says Holcomb, a 12th-grade ballet student from Greensboro who has trained at UNCSA for nearly half her life. “I grew
up seeing ‘The Nutcracker’ every year and watching all of the guest artists perform
the lead roles. Then, as a prep student, I got to be part of it myself.” This year
she tackles her biggest challenge yet — dancing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Finding her place at UNCSA
Holcomb’s journey with UNCSA began in the Preparatory Dance Program, which she joined in fifth grade after years of attending summer programs on campus.
“Starting in Prep was really good because it helped me get to know the school and
how it worked before becoming a full-time student,” she reflects. “The faculty were
so supportive, and it made the transition from middle school to a pre-professional
environment much easier. I already understood the culture and the intensity.”
"When I found out I’d been cast as both Sugar Plum and in the Snow Scene this year,
it was both exciting and a little daunting. It’s been such a challenge technically
and artistically — unlike anything I’ve done before.
Ella Holcomb
That preparation paid off. Over the years, Holcomb has grown from an audience member
to a seasoned performer with an impressive list of “Nutcracker” roles, including party
child, gingersnap, doll, marzipan and others. Yet the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy,
she admits, wasn’t one she ever pictured herself dancing.
“I never really envisioned myself as Sugar Plum,” Holcomb says. “It just didn’t feel
like the path I was on. So, when I found out I’d been cast as both Sugar Plum and
in the Snow Scene this year, it was both exciting and a little daunting. It’s been
such a challenge technically and artistically — unlike anything I’ve done before.”
Bringing the Sugar Plum Fairy to life
The Sugar Plum Fairy, the elegant ruler of the Land of Sweets, is one of ballet’s
most demanding roles, requiring both precision and presence. Holcomb has spent the
fall refining her artistry under the guidance of UNCSA faculty and with the help of guest artist and alumna Gillian Murphy, a former American Ballet Theatre principal, who offered master classes and one-on-one
coaching during her recent visit to campus.
“She talked a lot about how every movement needs to have meaning and how every step
should tell part of the story,” Holcomb recalls. “At the time, I had only just started
rehearsing with my new partner, so it felt like a lot to take in. But now that I’m
more comfortable with the choreography, I can really focus on the artistry like the
little intricacies with the fingers, head and poise that brings the character to life.”
Ella Holcomb seeing the UNCSA production of "The Nutcracker" in the Stevens Center.
/ Photo courtesy of Holcomb
In addition to her starring role, Holcomb is also balancing a full load of academics
and extracurricular leadership. She serves on Student Government, is a peer leader
and heads the high school yearbook committee. “It’s definitely a lot to juggle,” she
says. “I’ve learned to make the most of my breaks and to find little pockets of time
for self-care. Everyone here understands how demanding our days are, so we all support
each other. That sense of community helps a lot.”
Her favorite academic class this year is AP Government and Politics with High School Academic Program faculty Kate Douglass, which she describes as “challenging but really interesting.” For Holcomb, the balance
between rigorous academics and conservatory training has helped her develop focus,
time management and resilience — skills that will serve her onstage and beyond.
“Being here has taught me how to prioritize and stay calm under pressure,” she says.
“It’s given me a really strong work ethic that helps me succeed in both academics
and dance.”
A full-circle moment
When asked what makes the UNCSA production of “The Nutcracker” unique, Holcomb doesn’t
hesitate. “It’s special because it’s entirely student-driven,” she says. “You have
the dancers from the School of Dance, the orchestra students playing in the pit, the
lighting and stage management students running the production. It’s this huge collaboration
that feels professional in every way, but it’s all run by students. I think that’s what
makes it so magical.”
Holcomb as a party child in her first production of UNCSA's "The Nutcracker." / Photo
courtesy of Holcomb
Holcomb has danced “The Nutcracker” both at the Stevens Center — the longtime home
of the production that is currently closed for renovations — and at Tanger Center
for the Performing Arts in Greensboro, where the production has been since 2023. “At
the Stevens Center, the energy was so high because it’s a more intimate space,” she
recalls. “But performing at Tanger is incredible. You look out and the seats just
keep going and going. It feels so grand, but you can still connect with the audience.”
One of her favorite “Nutcracker” memories dates back to her prep days, when she performed
in her first campus night show as a fifth grader. “It was my first time dancing in
front of that many people,” she says. “The energy was electric. Everyone was so excited
and cheering and it made me realize, ‘Wow, this is what I want to do.’”
Now, as she prepares to graduate and begin auditioning for professional companies,
Holcomb is exploring opportunities that will let her continue both her dance and academic
pursuits — though at this stage in the year, many exciting paths remain open to her.
“I hope to dance with a company soon, but I also want to keep studying,” she says.
“Maybe I’ll double major in college or take online classes while I dance. Eventually,
I’d love to even pursue a master’s degree. But for now, I’m focusing on dancing as
much as I can.”
My biggest advice is to stay focused, trust the process and keep working hard. It
might take time, but if you love it and keep putting in the effort, you’ll get there.
Ella Holcomb
When asked what advice she would give to younger dancers in the Prep Program who dream
of performing in “The Nutcracker,” Holcomb speaks like a mentor. “I feel like all
the prep students are my little siblings,” she says. “I’ve watched so many of them
grow up, and I try to be the kind of role model I would’ve wanted when I was their
age. My biggest advice is to stay focused, trust the process and keep working hard.
It might take time, but if you love it and keep putting in the effort, you’ll get
there.”
For Holcomb, “The Nutcracker” has been more than a performance, it’s been a mirror
for her growth as a dancer, a student and a young artist finding her voice. “It’s
really special,” she says. “To be part of something that meant so much to me as a
kid, and now to share that same magic with a new audience, it’s just an incredible
feeling.”
By Melissa Upton-Julio
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