ORANGE PARK — Nutcracker season is almost here.

And for weeks, performers have been working hard on rehearsals and practices before they go on stage the weekend of Dec. 18 at the Times Union Performing Arts Center.

At All-Starz Dance Studio in Orange Park, Cathy Finne coaches a group of five girls who will appear in the show.

“We went as a group before anyone auditioned when I first became their teacher,” Finne said.

The girls Amelia, 11, Isabella, 13, Layla, 13, Olivia, 10, and Peyton, 9, have all secured roles in the Nutcracker. Amelia, Olivia and Peyton will be an angels, while Isabella will be a "bon bon" and Layla will be a rat.

Being a part of this special holiday tradition means the world to the dancers.

“It was a Christmas tradition for our family to go see the Nutcracker, and I’ve always wanted to be in it,” Olivia said.

“One year, my mom took my friend and me to watch it, and I thought it was really cool and wanted to be in it,” Isabella said.

Seeing the young girls put in the work in practice and dedicate the time for grueling rehearsals to achieve their dream is something truly special, and something that Kathy has helped nurture.

“A lot of the lead roles are high school kids, and some of them are even professional dancers that do a lot of work through the performing arts high school in Jacksonville, so they bring some of the graduates back to do certain roles,” Finne said.

Being a part of the Nutcracker is a very meaningful opportunity for these girls, and it’s not just being a part of an established holiday tradition. Being able to dance alongside professionals and make meaningful connections with them is the greatest holiday joy of all.

However, with such an important performance, the girls face challenges.

“I tried out last year, and I didn’t get it. And then I turned out this year, and it really stuck to me because I made it. I’m really proud of that,” Olivia said.

Instead of giving up, Olivia persevered and worked hard in the dance studio to hone her skills and earn her special role as an angel. This performance is one that is so personal to so many dancers.

“Focusing on how to present our emotions on the stage can be challenging,” Layla said.

For young girls, balancing an advanced performance like the Nutcracker and acting in front of a large crowd can be difficult. But the dancers don’t back down from a challenge. They work hard and show up to do what they love.

“The most special part is being able to perform and to be a part of something we’ve seen professional dancers do and thinking ‘that could be us one day’,” Isabella said.

Each of the young girls experienced the Nutcracker performance and set their sights on being on stage. And years later, through hard work and dedication, they have achieved their dreams.