PYBC's The Nutcracker will be performed at the Upper St. Clair Theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5 and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6 with 158 performers.

The CAPA Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Musical Director David Knapp, will accompany PYBC at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18 and 19 at the CAPA Theater, located on Sixth Street in Pittsburgh.

This Nutcracker production has been enjoyed by generations of children as well seniors and adults. Group rates are available for Girl Scouts, Brownies, and Daisy troops (with badge opportunities), as well as senior citizens and organized groups.

Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company has performed The Nutcracker up and down the east coast from New York to Florida, and have also been invited to perform several works in Austria and Germany at the Tanzsommer Festival.

In June, she secured the rights from the prestigious George Balanchine Trust for the PYBC to perform "Serenade" and "Waltz of the Hours."

After 25 years, Gedeon remains a source of inspiration for her students. "Only the best will do, I never give up on anyone" is still as true a statement as it was when she was quoted in a featured article in Dance Magazine.

Many of the dancers that took part in past performances of PYBC's Nutcracker are now dancing professionally throughout the world.

For example, Amy Barker of Mt. Lebanon, a PYBC dancer for nearly 12 years, recently received a company contract with the New York City Ballet and will be joining her former PYBC classmates Faye Arthurs of Upper St. Clair, and Stephanie Zungre of Jefferson Hills, in performing New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center.

For more information, call the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company at 724-969-6000. Tickets may be obtained by calling PYBC, online at www.pybco.com, via email at info@pybco.com or at the PYBC Studios, St. Petersburg Center, 210 Valley Brook Road, McMurray.