LustigDanceTheater in New Brunswick will showcase performances of A Jazzy Nutcracker Saturday, Dec. 14.

Lucine Amara serves as the artistic director of the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, where she works with young opera singers beginning their careers.

The Festival, which began in 2005 with five performances, now has 20, including musical theatre, opera, jazz, dance, chamber music, world music, cabaret and choral ...