The flute music, escaping from a hidden source near the stage, whirled through the air as costumes of glistening maroon, sky blue, and viridian green flew like confetti across the stage.

The dress rehearsal of this season's "Nutcracker," presented by Bellas Artes Academy at 8 p.m. at Jacob Brown Auditorium, electrified everyone.

"I am so excited. I enjoy the time when we are practicing for the show," said Nora Aguirre, 28, who will play one of the parents in the fabled ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky about a young girl named Clara. The 100-member cast, directed by Juan Burgos, met Wednesday night to make final preparations for enticing the local community into a fantastic dream in which a Nutcracker and his loyal soldiers wage battle with the Rat King and his legions. After the Nutcracker defeats the mice, he becomes a handsome young prince who accompanies Clara to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

"I feel very very good to participate in this," said Alberto Arenas, 30, of Matamoros.

"I've been doing this every year, four times," continued Arenas, who will perform in three different roles in the performance, including that of the Rat King and the Waltz of the Flowers. He would also partner with Daniella Lopez, 18, in the Arabian Dance.

Although Lopez has performed in the Nutcracker before, this year's event will debut her appearance in the Arabian Dance.

"It's a very different type of ballet, and you have to work with a partner," said Lopez, who is also performing as a snowflake, her favorite part.

"I think it's the most beautiful dance," said Lopez, dressed in a deep indigo dress with a white cotton apron.

"She is my best dancer," said Juan Burgos, artistic director for Bellas Artes Academy. "She is a graduating student this year. Usually for that, we use the older one because it's more mature, more sensual."

Burgos said the rehearsals, which began in September, have progressed very well.

"Each one is entirely different," he said. "The Nutcracker is a tradition after Thanksgiving that comes before Christmas. We don't have many things to get kids into the Christmas spirit. I want to keep that tradition for a few more years."

WHAT: The Nutcracker

WHEN: Dec. 5, 2008

TIME: 8 p.m.

WHERE: Jacob Brown Auditorium

COST: $15 and $10