MANILA, Philippines - Twelve-year-old Filipino-American Emil Kelso plays the role of the Prince/ Nutcracker in New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Emil, whose mom Tricia Capistrano is an immigrant from the Philippines, is one of three boys selected to play the role of Nutcracker who turns into a Prince. There are three rotating casts for the ballet company’s 48 shows. The performances, which started on Nov. 25, ends on Jan. 3, 2016.
Emil has been going to the School of American Ballet for six years. He is currently in the Boys 3 class of the School of American Ballet where he attends a 90-minute ballet class four times a week. His teachers include former NYC Ballet soloist Arch Higgins and principal Jock Sotto. SAB and New York City Ballet were founded by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein.
Emil has been in the following New York City Ballet shows: Sleeping Beauty (2013), Swan Lake (2013, 2015), a member of the party scene in The Nutcracker (2013, 2014), and La Sylphide (2015). This is the first time he is playing the role of the Prince.
Emil and his parents Tricia Capistrano and Tony Kelso visit their relatives in the Philippines every other year.
For information, visit http://www.nycballet.com/.