Not Your Average
“Nutcracker” The Alexandria Community Nutcracker:
The Nutcracker with a Twist and Some Jazz
W ith three strong women at the helm,
three in charge would never classify themselves as
this annual production begins with
powerhouses even though they rightfully should
individual visions of dance that meld
after accomplishing as much as they have in dance
into a unique unified production each
over the course of nine years.

year. They are: Gennifer Difilippo from Alexandria,
VA, a mother of two sons and owner of Alexandria
Community Dance as well as nonprofit Artspire
dance company, Courtney Betzel from Burke, VA,
All three women have extensive dance experience,
having started their own dance training at an early
age and teaching dance for many years. When
a mother of two and director of West Potomac
Gennifer began working at West Potomac High
Academy dance program and Adrienne Magnuson
School as the Varsity Dance Team coach, she met
from Alexandria, VA, a mother of two daughters
Adrienne, who worked as the Junior Varsity Dance
and owner of Above the Barre dance studio. These
Team coach, and Courtney, who directed and
10 December 2017 washingtonFAMILY.com