66 November 24 2016
W
hen Sydney Fong was
6, her mom, Barbara
Collins, did what many
moms do she signed her daugh-
ter up for dance classes.
Little did she know her daughter
would fall in love with ballet and
would be pirouetting profession-
ally just two years later. Now 11,
Sydney is poised to appear, for the
third year in a row, in the BalletMet
production of The Nutcracker, Nov.
25-27, at the Detroit Opera House.
One of more than 80 local dancers
featured in the production, Sydney
plays the parts of a Party Girl and
a Ginger to the live Michigan Opera
Theatre orchestra playing the classic
Tchaikovsky score, more than 100
years old. The ballet tells the story
of the young Clara and her beloved
Nutcracker-turned-prince as they
journey together to the Land of
Sweets for a magical Christmas Eve.
Sydney took time out of rehearsal
to chat with the JN:
JN: Where do you go to school?
Sydney Fong: I
m in sixth
grade at Derby Middle School in
Birmingham. I also attend Hebrew
school at Temple Beth El.
JN: Where do you dance? Do you
study other styles besides ballet?
SF: I
m a member of Eisenhower
Dance Center in Birmingham. I
m
also a member of student company
[she will perform at the Detroit
Opera House in January, and will
also compete at the Youth America
Grand Prix in Pittsburgh in January].
I also take contemporary and jazz
classes. Ballet is my favorite but
contemporary is a close second!
JN: How many hours a week do
you dance? How long did you pre-
pare for this role?
SF: I usually dance about 12 hours
a week. For The Nutcracker, we pre-
pared for eight weeks. Rehearsals
were always on the weekends
Saturday and Sunday on top of
the 12 hours. [She
s good at time
management, her mom says.]
JN: Do you see dance as a pos-
sible career?
SF: This is a question I get asked a
lot. I would really like to pursue bal-
let, but I
m not totally convinced yet.
I also have a passion for writing and
playing tennis.
JN: What do you love about
dancing?
SF: It allows me to take my mind
off of reality. I feel free when I
m
dancing.
JN: Do you get nervous when
you
re on stage?
SF: Sometimes. But once I
m on
stage, I always forget my fears. If
your dreams don
t scare, then they
re
not big enough.*
arts & life
d a n c e
Tiny Dancer
The JN chats with
11-year-old ballerina
Sydney Fong, performing
in The Nutcracker.
Lynne Konstantin | Arts & Life Editor
details
BalletMet
s The Nutcracker will have four
performances Nov. 25-27 at the Detroit
Opera House. Complementary activities
during family matinees include live rein-
deer prior to the performance, free ice
cream from Treat Dreams and the Sugar
Plum Parade on stage following the
performance. $29-$110. (313) 237-7464;
michiganopera.org.
Sydney Fong
EXQUISITE FOOD & EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
EpicKosher.com
Catering@EpicKosher.com
Supervised by the Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit
CHOLOV YISROEL
KOSHER CUISINE
GLATT
KOSHER CUISINE
2046060
Off
/
2
2053750
248.476.0044
Not good with any other coupons.
Not good on holidays. One coupon per couple. Up to $30
Expires 11/30/16
Not good with any other coupon.
Not good on holidays. One coupon per couple. Up to $30
Expires 11/30/16
Kids
Eat Free
Monday
THE GALLERY RESTAURANT
Daily Special to choose from for lunch & dinner
Dinner specials come with complimentary rice or chocolate pudding or jello
For 40 years, Gallery Restaurant has served up masterpieces
~ Danny Raskin
www.thegalleryrestaurant2.com
OPEN 7 DAYS:
Now Serving
Beer & Wine
2134290
7 oz. Filet
$2295
includes potato,
vegetable, soup or
salad, garlic bread
basket & butter.
248-994-1111
www.lellisinn.com
CELEBRATING OUR 6 Year Anniversary
27925 Golf Pointe Boulevard,
Farmington Hills
(12 Mile just west of Halsted)
To celebrate our
6 year anniversary,
choose from
6 entrees
starting at
$14.95
Not valid 11-23, holidays, or
Saturday
s. No sharing.
Not valid 11-23, holidays, or
Saturday
s. No sharing.