(left to right) Nicole Buggé, Cassandra Starr and Danielle Nolen

Rider students Danielle Nolen of Harleysville, PA, Nicole Buggé of West Windsor, NJ, and Cassandra Starr of Windham, NY, are living their dreams. All are fine arts majors with a concentration in dance.

At young ages, each has had visions of performing in "The Nutcracker" and has done so in their respective hometown dance shows.

This month, Nolen, a junior who is also double majoring in English, and freshmen Buggé and Starr will perform alongside professional company members from the American Repertory Ballet in director Graham Lustig's production of "The Nutcracker" at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton. It is the second-longest consecutive running Nutcracker in the United States. The American Repertory Ballet's (ARB) Princeton Ballet School first performed "The Nutcracker" in 1964.

Nolen, Buggé and Starr will also perform in the production at The State Theatre in New Brunswick, The Patriots Theatre at The War Memorial in Trenton and The Bernie Center at Ramapo College in Mahwah.

The three are prime examples of the talented students in Rider's dance program in the fine arts department. There are currently 48 dance majors and minors who take classes at the Princeton Ballet School through Rider's partnership with the ARB. They are trained by both Rider faculty and such ARB faculty as Douglas Martin and Mary Barton; Maria Youskevitch; and Kyra Nichols, a principal dancer for the New York City Ballet.

"I am thrilled for Danielle, Nicole and Cassandra," said Dr. Kim Chandler Vaccaro, director of Rider's dance program. "Danielle and Nicole, in particular, really have a keen choreographic sense and Cassandra is also gifted; she comes from a long line of professional dancers. Each one is dedicated to perfecting her skills."

After auditioning individually, Nolen landed the part of a Rat Girl in the Party Scene Act I and a BonBon in Act II. "The Rat Girl is one of my favorite characters," said Nolen, who will be performing with the ARB for the second time. "She's a mischievous girl who torments the prissy girls with her pet rat and hangs out with the boys. It reminds me of sort of being a tomboy when I was a kid."

Buggé will perform as a Keppel sister, a Russian dancer and an Arabian dancer. "I have performed all three before, but I am looking forward to improving each part," said Buggé. "I love the different energy levels and various attitudes that are required. I am so lucky to be a part of an amazing production. The best part is the experience, friendships and memories we share."

Starr will be one of the Toy Soldiers. "I am extremely excited to be a part of the production and hope for many more opportunities," she said. "I am learning how to dance with more beauty and strength."

Along with juggling full course loads, the three students dance seven days a week for as long as ten hours a day. In addition to taking courses to fulfill their core curriculums, dance majors and minors at Rider must complete courses in the history of dance, music, visual art and theater; introductory courses in dance and music theory; and a series of studio courses in ballet, jazz, modern, World dance, Pilates and choreography among others. The distinct partnership with the Princeton Ballet School enables them to study with conservatory-level faculty while receiving a liberal arts education.

"I absolutely love it," said Nolen. "It's a rough schedule to work out but it's definitely worth it. There aren't many schools where you can get a great liberal arts education as well as a dance program at one of New Jersey's top dance schools. The Princeton Ballet is fantastic and incredibly professional. I've learned completely new ways to look at my dancing to make it much more efficient.

Starr and Buggé feel quite at home during their freshman year at Rider. "Dr. Vaccaro has taught me to become more appreciative of dance as an art form," said Starr. Added Buggé, "All of our professors are so passionate about their teaching and care a lot about our well-being."

Graham Lustig's "The Nutcracker" will run at the McCarter Theatre on November 19 at 7 p.m; November 20 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m; November 25 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; November 26 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m..; and November 27 at 1 p.m. On November 20, a Nutcracker Children's Tea Party, with photo opportunities with Nutcracker characters, will take place at 11 a.m. and on November 26, a Nutcracker alumni celebration will be held at 6:15 p.m. For ticket information, call (732) 249-1254 or www.arballet.org