Their moves seemed so effortless, their appearance so delicate. Yet, the youthful "Nutcracker" ballet dancers who entertained more than 4,000 school children on December 12 have spent years perfecting their art. Twenty-two years ago, the Civic Dance Center, Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra and Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) joined forces to present a series of two day, 45 minute highlight performances of "The Nutcracker" for local fourth and fifth-grade students. It is part of the annual Young People’s Concerts coordinated by the symphony and KCSOS. "It gives the younger students a chance to see that dance can be fun, very real and, hopefully, it will plant a seed that will leave them saying, ‘I’m really interested in that,’" said Kathleen White, KCSOS curriculum coordinator who helps arrange student participation through the various school districts.The $3.50 cost per student is a relatively small amount to see professionally trained dancers, a symphony orchestra and a famous children’s ballet all on one stage at the Rabobank Convention Center. The admission only covers a fraction of the more than $10,000 it costs to put on the four children’s highlight shows, plus four other full performances that took place Dec. 12, 13 and 14. Community businesses and sponsors help defray some of the costs. Although KCSOS has been involved since 1986, the symphony and dance center have collaborated to carry on the annual tradition for 31 consecutive years. More