Learn About The Nutcracker Ballet

The Christmas celebrations aren't complete without The Nutcracker, are they?

Here at SQUILT, we make learning about The Nutcracker simple, enjoyable, and flexible. 

Your littlest children may simply enjoy scenes from the ballet and learning to recognize a few of the more famous character dances from the second act. Your older children, however, may want to know about the detailed story of the ballet and the musical intricacies of pieces like The Chinese Dance, Trepak (The Russian Dance), or Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy (which introduced for the first time that famous instrument, the Celesta).

Whatever the interest level, we've got you covered.

Self Directed Nutcracker Unit Study

This resource (one of our most popular holiday products) includes the following:

• Notebooking Pages
• All Listening Links
• Learn about the major music in the ballet
• Learn the story of The Nutcracker
• Learn About Tchaikovsky
• Learn About the Celesta
• Music Vocabulary
• Ballet Vocabulary

If you want a simple, do-it-yourself resource that is a PDF download, this is for you. It is great for multiple ages and takes approximately 5 weeks - but the schedule is completely flexible because YOU know your children best! 

Visit the Nutcracker Unit Study product page.

LIVE! Lesson Nutcracker Options

If you would like all of the teaching to be done for you, choose one of our SQUILT LIVE! options. 

SQUILT LIVE! members will receive:

• Two live lessons (The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy & The Russian Dance)
• The listening calendar for December 2021 (A Christmas Feast for Your Ears)
• Weekly updates from Miss Mary with tips and advice
• A curated Nutcracker book list

SQUILT LIVE! PLUS members will receive:

• Two live lessons (The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy & The Russian Dance)
• The listening calendar for December 2021 (A Christmas Feast for Your Ears)
• Weekly updates from Miss Mary with tips and advice
• A curated Nutcracker book list

PLUS...

• A special event with Chalk Pastel - An Overture to All Things Nutcracker
• Access to our ENTIRE archives - over 100 lessons - including two additional Nutcracker recorded lessons
• Access to EVERY past listening calendar - over 50!
• Access to the SQUILT LIVE! Community

Through learning about The Nutcracker, children can learn about not only about Tchaikovsky's most recognizable music of all time, but also about history, literature, geography, and MORE! 

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions, or if you'd like to tell us about any traditions you have with The Nutcracker Ballet.

And remember - nothing can take the place of seeing the ballet in person. If you can't find a local performance, you might enjoy this full performance from The Russian State Ballet & Opera House. It is exceptional!