This is the 39th year of the holiday tradition that is Westside Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” Yvonne Mounsey, at 92, remains firmly in charge of the Santa Monica-based Westside School of Ballet and pre-professional Westside Ballet, both of which she co-founded in 1967. Here, she watches a “Nutcracker” dress rehearsal. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Maco Doussias, a professional dancer who studied with Yvonne Mounsey, gets the once-over from her. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Yvonne Mounsey in an animated moment with young dancers at a “Nutcracker” rehearsal. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Yvonne Mounsey demonstrates an emotion while coaching dancers during a dress rehearsal of Westside Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Westside Ballet dancers at the studio. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Young dancers await their entrance during a dress rehearsal of the Westside Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Yvonne Mounsey watches a rehearsal of Westside Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Bring on the mice, it’s “Nutcracker” time. Dancers await their entrance during a rehearsal of Westside Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” Performances are Dec. 10 and 11 in West Los Angeles. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Yvonne Mounsey, center, talks with Westside Ballet teachers Francine Kessler Lavac, left, and Michele Bachar during a rehearsal for the company’s “Nutcracker.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
