ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — A professional ballerina from Ukraine has begun preparing Aberdeen dance students for a holiday performance.

The American News reports that the Moscow Ballet's prima ballerina, Olena Nalyvaiko, visited through Moscow Ballet's Dance With Us program, which pairs young dangers with professional ballerinas and ballerinos for a performance.

Nalyvaiko auditioned dance students last week for parts in the upcoming "Great Russian Nutcracker" and worked with selected students.

Nalyvaiko says she enjoys working with children in different cities because she can learn more English and see how American families live. Aberdeen is one of 20 cities across the country participating in the program.

The "Great Russian Nutcracker" performance will be held Nov. 29 in the Johnson Fine Arts Center.

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