What would you do for a shot at a job you love? Eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day for a month? That’s what the Two Star Symphony did for the chance to live and work in New York City this October. And they made it. This four-person modern yet classical ensemble will be on stage with American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company Friday and Saturday at New York University’s Skirball Center (566 La Guardia Place, 212-992-8484).

The story of how they got here shows just how much intrepid souls will do for the love of art. The Two Star Symphony – which consists of violinists Debra Brown and Jerry Ochoa, violist Jo Bird, and cellist Margaret Lejeune – is based in Houston. That’s where choreographer Dominic Walsh, who had been commissioned by the Studio Company to create a new ballet, heard the group perform. When he heard the Two Star Symphony play their eerie, percussive piece “Goblin Attack,” he knew that he wanted to set his dance to it.

“He heard a short version of the piece, and asked if we could expand it,” said Ms. Brown. The four musicians – who all play classical instruments but perform modern, original music that they create – doubled the length of the composition according to only one directive. “He wanted it to have a lot of dynamic to it,” said Ms. Brown.

When the piece was set, the ensemble was given a modest stipend and flown to New York to work with the dancers of Studio Company. The break was a significant one, but as the musicians planned for the month-long stay, they knew cash flow would be a challenge. All of the members have day jobs in Houston that allow them to also play music.

“We came to New York without a lot of money,” said Ms. Lejeune.

To make it happen, they reached out to friends and family for free places to stay. Each day after rehearsing in the ABT studios for four hours, the Two Star Symphony hit the streets in SoHo and hoped for a little spare change to be thrown their way.

They chose the corner of Prince and Greene because a friend – who three of the members were staying with in Williamsburg, Brooklyn – is a street vendor on that corner. They ate tortillas, beans, and eggs every morning, followed by PB &J every day for lunch.

And plenty of good came their way while they were playing on the streets. “We made about $100 an hour,” said Ms. Lejeune. Also, two different individuals offered them performance gigs at holiday parties.

While in New York, they had the time to track down the head of the avantgarde record label Tzadik, which they’d like work with – even though most friends dissuaded them from even trying. “I think the fact that we’re so naive allows us to think that anything’s possible,” said Ms. Lejeune. “New York has been nothing but nice to us.”

What’s especially inspiring in their story is that it didn’t just benefit them. It also allowed the young dancers of the studio company to train and perform to live music – and for the audience to enjoy the combination of live music and dance.

Plus which, the experience gave the musicians a greater appreciation for dance. “You see dancers and it all looks so easy. I really had no idea what goes into it,” said Ms. Lejeune. “I was carrying my cello around New York, and I thought, ‘I’m such a wuss!'”

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The Christmas season means it’s time for “The Nutcracker” in all its many forms. New York City Ballet is dancing the Balanchine version until January 2, but there are plenty of other productions around town.

Each weekend this December, the New York Theater Ballet is presenting its one-hour version of the Christmas classic. The compact format and the intimate stage allows for a zippy version of the story. There’s a little less ballet than storytelling, but its show well tailored for children ages 3 to 10.

Dancing as the Nutcracker Prince is Steven Melendez, an 18-year-old who was discovered at the age of 8 in a homeless shelter. Artistic director Diana Byer granted him a scholarship at her ballet school, and Mr. Melendez has become a leading member of the NYTB company. For that story alone, it’s worth going. Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for children. (Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, 212-355-6160)

A Manhattan-centric version of “The Nutcracker” is going up on December 9 and 10 at The Kaye Playhouse thanks to the small classical ballet troupe Dances Patrelle. Set at Gracie Mansion in 1895, when the home was occupied by mayor William Strong, the tradition story unfolds with a New York twist on every aspect of the story. The performance includes five guest professionals: Jennifer Ringer, James Fayette, Sandra Brown, Donald Williams, and Jonathan Porretta. Tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for seniors. (Hunter College, 68th Street between Park and Lexington avenues, 212-772-4448).

For a more modern adaptation, check out David Parker’s vaudevillian version at Dance Theater Workshop December 15-22. Here, an eclectic mix of dance is set to not just the Tchaikovsky orchestral suite, but versions of the score played by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, and Fred Waring. The 21 dancers include teenagers, plus Jeff Kazin, former Paul Taylor principal Mary Cochran, and Mr. Parker himself. Tickets are $25. (Dance Theater Workshop, 219 W. 19th Street, 212-924-0077)

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This month also marks the return of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The company’s annual City Center season – which promises to include a fair amount of popular music – opens tomorrow with the premiere of “Love Stories.” The work is choreographed in three parts by artistic director Judith Jamison, Rennie Harris, and Robert Battle to the music of Stevie Wonder.

The new work will be repeated throughout the five-week season. The Ailey company will also premiere a new work by the talented choreographer David Parsons. “Shining Star” is a suite of dances set to groovy tunes by Earth, Wind, & Fire. Given Mr. Parson’s excellent crossover sensibilities, this should be worth checking out.

The season also includes a new production of Ailey’s “Hidden Rites” and a company premiere of Donald Byrd’s “Burlesque,” set to songs by Louis Armstrong, and Mr. Parson’s fun-with-strobe-lights “Caught.” It’s just the thing for eyes that are Nutcracker-weary. (New York City Center, West 55th between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, 212-581-1212).

The collaboration between modern dance great Martha Graham and master sculptor Isamu Noguchi is the subject of a new exhibit at the Noguchi Museum. The show – “Noguchi and Graham: Selected Works for Dance” – opens on Thursday and includes nine of the 19 stage sets Noguchi created for Graham’s dances. Interestingly, the pieces will be shows as works of art, rather than as sets arranged as they were on stage. But footage of the dances being performed will provide a context for the sets. The exhibition runs until May 1. (The Noguchi Museum, 32-37 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, www.noguchi.org)