Russian Pointe's Elizaveta Efimova, Ali Aguilar and Audrey Watson brought added delight to The Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker Family Dinner on December 12, providing artistic face painting for young and old. Artist Elizaveta Efimova created six designs just for the occasion, all based on the Nutcracker ballet. The event was festive and child-oriented, with towers of candy in the Kingdom of Sweets, a giant rocking horse, a Joffrey Tower made of lego®, and Joffrey Apprentice Program dancers interacting with guests. As part of the event, families had the choice of attending the matinee or evening performance of The Nutcracker at Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Russian Pointe President Aleksandra Efimova attended the matinee and dinner with sister Elizaveta and niece Klava.

Russian Pointe welcomed two new staff members in December. Juneanne Nguyen joins the business development team. Juneanne has 15 years of ballet experience, holds a bachelor's degree from University of South Florida, has been featured in television commercials, performed at Super Bowl XLIII and cheered for the NFL and AFL. Since moving from Florida to Chicago in 2007, she has worked in sales and as a makeup artist.

Originally from Michigan, Sara Perz-Hintz is classically trained in the Cecchetti method. She moved to Chicago to study on scholarship at the Lou Conte Dance Studio, and currently studies at Hubbard Street Dance Center, Rast Ballet and Columbia College Chicago. Also proficient in TaeKwonDo, Sara is an ACE certified group fitness instructor. She joins Russian Pointe as a pointe-fitting specialist.
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