This year, we are so delighted that a Cambodian-American ballerina has been selected to perform the lead role of Clara! The prestigious lead role will be danced by thirteen year old, Kaitlyn Pong. In its 40th production, Kaitlyn will be the first Cambodian-American to perform the role of Clara. This has been a dream of hers since she started dancing ballet at the age of 3 years old. Kaitlyn has danced in many roles for the Long Beach Ballet school including: Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and Coppelia to name a few. She has also competed in the Youth America Grand Prix, the largest student ballet scholarship competition since she was nine years old. In 2021, she won first place in the competition.
Kaitlyn is a proud Cambodian-American and believes in celebrating and uplifting others.
Kaitlyn's sister, Ashlee, will also perform as a ballerina in The Nutcracker! Below are details of their upcoming performances.
Please follow and support Kaitlyn's dance journey on instagram: @kpballerina. Tickets are still available to watch this much-loved classic. Please come out and support our Khmer ballerinas, Kaitlyn and Ashlee! To learn more about the show and/or purchase tickets, please visit: Long Beach Nutcracker.