This December, Orange County will be treated to performances by one of the best ballerinas of this generation – international superstar Yuan Yuan Tan from the San Francisco Ballet. She will be dancing the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker with fellow San Francisco Ballet dancer, the acclaimed Tiit Helimets as the handsome Cavalier. The Nutcracker pas de deux is a highlight of The Nutcracker, first presented in 1892, with music written by Tchaikovsky.
Born in Shanghai, China, Yuan Yuan Tan joined the San Francisco Ballet as a soloist in 1995 and was promoted to principal dancer in 1997. She was named “Hero of Asia” by Time Magazine – Asia edition and was also named one of the world’s most influential Chinese by Hong Kong’s Phoenix TV.
Tiit Helimets was born in Viljandi, Estonia and joined the San Francisco Ballet as a principal dancer in 2005. You may recognize Tiit as Prince Edward in San Francisco Ballet’s “Little Mermaid,” available on DVD, which was a favorite of audiences and critics alike a few years ago.
Together, Yuan Yuan and Tiit have an impressive repertory, performing with the San Francisco Ballet.
Watch Yuan Yuan and Tiit’s highlight videos and be prepared to watch them live on December 10th and 11th in Festival Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker at the The Irvine Barclay Theatre. Click here to purchase tickets.
Yuan Tuan Tan
Tiit Helimets
