WSPA's Nutcracker 2025 Cast

Gabriella is a graduating senior earning her International Baccalaureate diploma at Capuchino High School. She has proudly represented WSPA in numerous competitions, showcasing her dedication and talent on stage. Her hard work has earned her scholarships to prestigious summer intensives, including The Rock School in Philadelphia, where she further refined her craft. As Gabriella looks ahead to college next fall, she is eager to continue her dance journey while pursuing her love of science by studying both Dance and Biochemistry.

Deija, 16, in her senior year at WSPA, is honored to debut as Chelsea and reprise lead roles including Sugar Plum Fairy. Over the years she has earned numerous awards, including Teen Outstanding Dancer at NYCDA Regionals, Teen Elite Honored Dancer at Revive Regionals, and WSPA’s Student of the Year for both Ballet and Contemporary. She shares her love for dance as a Contemporary teacher and choreographer, and is part the Contemporary Training Program and APT Hip Hop. While sad to leave her dance family of 14 years, Deija looks forward to continuing her dance training in college.

Madison joined WSPA in 2017, currently training in ballet, contemporary, and jazz. She’s thrilled to debut in her first principal role as Princess Flora. Madison enjoys group and solo competitions, earning awards at CDC, YAGP, NYCDA, and recently 3rd place for contemporary and ballet at UBC. Madison is currently a Junior at Archbishop Riordan, and a member of their Biomedical Program. She hopes to study genetics alongside dance in college.

Dance is at the heart of Amianan Daus-Magbual’s journey as a senior at Westmoor High School. Dedicating 14 years at WSPA, Amianan’s love and purpose remain with ballet, and contemporary, where they have earned distinction from ADC-IBC, CDC, YAGP, and NYCDA. Committed to refining their craft, Amianan trained with Joffrey Ballet, Long Beach Ballet, Complexions Ballet LA, Boston Ballet, and Ballet West, and is excited to perform Princess Flora in their final year at WSPA.

Mia is a sophomore at Pacbay and started dancing at WSPA at age 2 1/2. Her love for dance has grown through the Contemporary Training Program and Senior Pre-Professional program alongside many competitions. This year she will debut as Snow Queen, Roses, Snow lead, Baklava Female Lead, and Chelsea's friends. She is immensely thankful for all the teachers who have trained her and taken time to work with her. Mia wouldn’t trade anything for the happiest moments she's spent with her friends through dancing.

Tamar is 14 and is a freshman at JCHS. She set foot in her first ballet class at WSPA in 1st grade. Tamar is currently training in the Senior Pre-Professional program and in the Contemporary Training Program. She has taken on many roles since her exciting debut as Mouse Queen's assistant in her shiny yellow vest. She is very excited for her first principal role as Snow Queen as well as the roles Butterfly Pea Flower Tea lead, Chelsea's Friends, Snow lead, Roses, Peppermint and Chocolate Raspberry Maiden.

Maceo began dancing at five years old with Joanne Brown Dancers then joined WSPA’s Pre-Professional program at 13. He reprises lead roles, Chocolate Raspberry (Sunday) and Pryaniki and is excited to perform new roles as Baklava Male Lead (Saturday) and The Nutcracker! Maceo returns to the production after missing last year due to an injury. He hopes this year is memorable especially for his dear friends who are graduating seniors.

Kyle, 14, joined WSPA’s hip hop program at age 4. He watched Ms. Tina’s ballet class through the window and knew that's what he wanted to do. With his persistence, he auditioned at age 7. Ms. Tina gave him a break and invited him to the contemporary competition program. His Nutcracker debut was in 2016. This year, Kyle’s a Cadet, Baklava Male Lead, Pryaniki Lead, and the Nutcracker!

Chloe is a 7th grader at Saint Thomas More School. She is honored and excited to perform her first lead roles as Clara Stahlbaum (Saturday) and Butterfly (Sunday). She has loved ballet since the age of three and continues to grow her passion for the performing arts. Chloe has received awards from ADC IBC, YAGP, and CDC, and was recognized as an Outstanding Dancer with NYCDA. she currently trains in Junior Pre-Professional and CTP II while also dancing with the Minis.

Olivia, an 8th grader at the Lycée Français de San Francisco, began dancing at WSPA at age three. She currently trains in Senior Pre-Pro Ballet, the Contemporary Training Program (CTP II), and the Jazz Performance Program. This marks her 7th time in The Nutcracker, and she is thrilled to be performing her first lead role as Clara Stahlbaum !

Since stepping onto the stage as a baby angel, Alana has been captivated by The Nutcracker's blend of dance and storytelling. Every role she has performed has strengthened her technique and developed her artistry. This season Alana reprises her role as a lead in Snow, and debuts as a Peppermint lead and a Chocolate Raspberry lead. She also appears in Roses and as Chelsea's friend.

Alexander is 13 years old and began dancing at WSPA at age 5. He loves dancing, singing, and acting. He is currently in Senior Pre-Pro Ballet, Contemporary Training Program/CTP II, and Senior Musical Theater Company. This year, he had lead roles in MTC's musical productions of Mean Girls and Something Rotten. Alex has performed in the past seven Nutcrackers and is delighted to be a Cadet, the Young Prince, Pryaniki Lead, and Chocolate Raspberry Lead this season.

Halina's WSPA ballet journey began at age 7. By 8, she made her Nutcracker debut as a Mouse, Baby Angel, and Yellow Carnation. She’s since developed a deep passion for dance and is training in the Senior Pre-Pro and Contemporary Performance Programs. Halina is pursuing a day program to enhance her skills and is excited to perform her first lead roles as Snow Lead, Peppermint, and Snake this Nutcracker season!

Madyson began training at WSPA eight years ago, having started ballet at age four. Through WSPA's performance program, she has developed her classical ballet technique and continues to grow in contemporary dance. One of her fondest memories is watching The Nutcracker and aspiring to perform on that stage. Her journey has progressed from Baby Angels to portraying Clara last year. This season, Madyson performs as Snow Lead and the Snake.

Sophia began her WSPA dance training at age five. Her passion and talent soon led to lead roles as Butterfly and Licorice. This year, she is delighted to perform as the Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Lead. Sophia has earned scholarships and accolades at prestigious competitions. This past summer, she was invited to attend Legacy Master’s Summer Intensive in Assisi, Italy, where she received a scholarship to come back and train with DAW—Dancer at Work in Florence, Italy -June 2026. A seventh-grade student at Laurel Springs, Sophia balances her love of ballet with baking and drawing, aspiring to one day become a professional ballerina.

Alina began dancing at the Millbrae Community Center at age 2 and joined WSPA at 3. By 4, she was in the Ballet Performance Program, debuting in The Nutcracker as a baby angel. Now 13, Alina has competed at YAGP, CDC, and NYCDA, earning awards, and is thrilled to perform her lead roles as Snow Lead and Reed Flute. She dreams of dancing professionally with San Francisco Ballet or American Ballet Theatre.

Selah discovered her love for dance at three years old, beginning her journey in ballet, tap, and musical theater at WSPA. Inspired by her first Nutcracker, she dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. Since then, she’s explored many dance styles, earned awards at regional and national competitions, and shares her gift of dance at church and community events, and as a brand ambassador for SF Dance Gear. Selah is excited to take the stage as Butterfly, Snowflake, Spanish maiden & Pryaniki.

After five years of dedicated study in WSPA's General and Junior classes, Julie joined the Pre-Professional Class in 2023 to intensively pursue her classical ballet dream. Her love for movement expanded with contemporary ballet training in 2024. She is thrilled to make her debut this year in lead roles in The Nutcracker, performing as the Butterfly and the Dancing Doll in Act I.

Maddie began her dance training at the age of three and made her stage debut as a Baby Angel in The Nutcracker at five. This year marks an exciting milestone as she takes on her first lead role as Butterfly. She is a member of the Senior Pre-Professional Ballet and Contemporary Training Program. Alongside classical dance, Maddie enjoys hip hop, where she finds creative freedom in movement and self-expression. When she’s not dancing, she shares her love of music through piano.

Elle Manalo Angeles began dancing at WSPA at two and a half. Dedicated to excellence in classical ballet, she also studies hip hop, contemporary, and Polynesian dance. Her achievements include the Hope Award at YAGP (2025) and Top Overall High-Score Soloist at NYCDA. This season, Elle performs as a Butterfly, Doll, and Snowflake. She is currently a sixth grader at St. Thomas More School maintaining an A average.

Mia began dancing at 2 ½ and was captivated by the art, shedding tears during her first Nutcracker performance as Baby Angel. Now, she’s thrilled to step into Butterfly, a year after performing as Clara. Mia’s talent has garnered recognition regionally and nationally, including being named the Rising Star at the 2026 Universal Ballet Competition and placing in the Top 3 at ADC IBC, NYCDA and CDC regional competitions. She is currently in 6th Grade at St. Gabriel School and loves to draw when she is not dancing.

Alexander Griffith (he/him) welcomes his third season with Oakland Ballet. Here, he has performed in their many annual productions, such as Luna Mexicana, The Nutcracker and the Dancing Moons Festival, as well as special performances as ‘Diego’ in a Frida Kahlo tribute. He had guest appearances at San Jose Ballet and Ayako school. He is also looking forward to working with Westlake School of the Performing Arts this coming holiday season. Additionally, Alexander has offered his expertise and training to adult and youth students alike in both private and group classes in various bay area studios and finds teaching an enriching experience. He was formerly with Rochester City Ballet (RCB) in New York and has over a decade of training with Charlotte Ballet in North Carolina.

Matthew started dancing at WSPA in 1997, under teachers, Malu Rivera-Peoples and Tina Fargas-Newell. He is an original member of APT and The Company, trained under Pat Cruz and Shaun Evaristo, and was Co-Director of APT and Training Ground. He has taught workshops in New York, Massachussettes, Colorado, Nevada, and California. Matthew was on the inaugural team of the Blue Crew, served as a captain, and is currently an Assistant Coach for the Golden State Warriors Dance Team. He is also the head of the dance program at Sacred Heart Preparatory in Atherton, CA.