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Have Your Birthday Party at the Conservatory!
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Have a Princess Party, Ballet Party, Luau Party,
or Hip Hop Dance Party ... FUN, FUN, FUN!
Contact us for more info:
phone: 203-544-8455
email us |
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New Instructors
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 Jen Lancaster
Jen Lancaster began her dance training in Connecticut and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Towson University. While in Maryland, she performed with the Towson University Dance Company in a wide variety of pieces ranging from swing to modern, jazz to full length ballets. She had the opportunity to work with Geoffrey Holder and perform in "Dougla" with the TU Dance Company along with being a featured tap dancer in Fosse's "Sing, Sing, Sing" re-staged by Doug Graham. Jen has also danced with the Stephanie Powell Danse Ensemble and performed at venues such as the Baltimore Museum of Art and Artscape. Since moving to New York, she has performed with Synthesis Dance Project at the Élan Awards, among other events, and was a founding member of the Pushing Progress Dance Company, which has performed at numerous events including The Artists' Showcase, SONO Arts Festival, Maryland Council for Dance and more.
Jen has taught and choreographed all over the tri-state and Maryland/DC area. Her work was presented at numerous showcases in Maryland, at the American College Dance Festival Association in North Carolina and at the ISVP/Intern Showcase at Broadway Dance Center. In addition, Jen had the privileged opportunity to teach at Towson University during alumni week and has had her work performed at many regional competitions. She continues to teach throughout the tri-state area during the year, encouraging all of her students to have fun while learning strong technique, proper body alignment for a healthy dance body, and fueling their passion for dance.
 Rachel Holly Hayworth Prewitt
Ms. Prewitt's dance career began with the Northwest Florida Ballet as a student under Todd Allen and Dorothy Lister. She later became a company member, performing numerous classical and contemporary pieces, and eventually an instructor, helping with the development of the Northwest Florida Ballet Academie. She went on to earn a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Central Florida, with a Dance Minor as her focus. Upon returning to Pensacola after graduation, Rachel began performing with S.W.E.R.V.E. Dance and assisting with her old studio. She then studied under Michael Wardlaw, originally of Cincinatti Ballet, who was a great inspiration to her work both as a dancer and an instructor. Other influential instructors Rachel has studied under include Adrienne Hawkins, Lazlo Berdo, Derek Reid, Gary Flannery, and Mark Morris. She moved to New York in 2008 and has since been teaching at various studios. In addition to Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, and Modern, she enjoys teaching Pilates and Yoga to students of all ages, and she is most passionate about sharing an appreciation for the power of movement as the purest form of expression.
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Greetings!
 We know this is a busy time of year for families. If you haven't signed up for a class yet, don't worry ... there's still time! Be sure to sign up as early as possible so you won't be disappointed. If you are new to the Conservatory, we offer one free trial class of your choice. With our new classes and new instructors, the 2010-2011 season promises to be our most exciting ever. I look forward to welcoming all of you back to learn, grow, explore, create and move! Christine TitusDirectorP.S. Auditions are being held for the Danbury Music Centre NUTCRACKER on September 17th & 18th.
See me for more details! |
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The Importance of Ballet Training
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 From Christine Titus, Director
At a very young age my dance teacher instilled in me the importance of having a strong ballet foundation. At my dance studio, growing up, I was not allowed to take jazz or tap without taking ballet class.
With strong ballet technique it is easier to transition between all of the dance styles (even Hip Hop), and enables you to turn faster, jump stronger, and kick higher! Pointing your feet, stretching your legs, and the control you have over your body just seems to come more naturally when you have solid ballet training. If you want to improve in any dance style, ballet will help you tremendously. Core strength, flexibility, grace, control, discipline, focus, and poise are all wonderful benefits of ballet. It is true ... even football players take ballet!
The following Ballet Classes are available at the Conservatory:
--Teen Ballet Technique (open level): Thursdays, 8pm-9pm
--Teen Ballet Technique (open level): Fridays, 5:30pm-6:30pm
--Ballet I (beginning level, Grade 1): Thursdays, 4pm-5pm
--Ballet II (Grade 2): Tuesdays, 4pm-5pm
--Ballet III (approx. grade 3-4): Tuesdays, 5pm and/or Thursdays, 5pm
--Ballet IV & Ballet V (placement by director)
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New Class Times!
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 Jazz
(2nd and 3rd Grade)
Thursdays, 4pm
Tap III
(4th and 6th Grade)
Thursdays, 5pm
Classes Still Available:
Broadway Jazz
(5th - 8th Grade)
Tuesdays, 4pm
Kinderballet/Tap
Wednesdays, 3:15pm
KinderJazz/Tap
Fridays, 3:15pm
Ballet/Tap Combo
(1st - 3rd Grade)
Saturdays, 10:30am
Register Now!
Call us at (203) 544-8455 or email us today to sign up now. You may also fax your registration form to (203) 761-9175.
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Dancer News
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 Christine Merolla, a Ballet V student at the Conservatory, was recently featured in the Nutmeg Wilton Villager. Skating to "Don Quixote" during the 2010 Nutmeg State Games, held on July 10th in Newington, Christine won bronze medals in the Novice Short Program and Novice Freeskate Program. Christine is now qualified to compete in the 2011 National State Games of America in San Diego, CA, in August, 2011. Congratulations, Christine - we are so proud!
In other news, Conservatory 2nd grader Lily Anderson was recently cast in the Connecticut Ballet's production of "Coppelia" to be performed at the Palace Theater in Stamford this fall. Way to go!
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Dance Masters of America Event
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 Don't miss these great workshops from
Dance Masters of America!
September 19th
8:45am - 12:00pm
Learning Corridor
Hartford, CT
Julie Garofalo: Contemporary
Jeff Gatti: Tap
Krystin Smith: Precision Dance
Ages 8-18 are welcome!
(Contact Miss Christine for more information.)
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Donation to Waltersville School
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The Conservatory was happy to donate costumes to the Waltersville School in Bridgeport, CT during our Costume Drive over June Performance Weekend.
Many thanks to all the dancers who donated costumes! The dancers at the Waltersville School were thrilled to receive our donations.
A special thank you to Amy Weissman and Celeste Cobb for organizing this worthwhile event.
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New Classes Added for 2010-2011
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 Zumba
Come join the party ... have fun and get fit at the same time! Zumba is Cardio dance at its best. Join the latest fitness dance craze to burn calories and let loose. No dance experience necessary.
Acro
Acro includes tumbling skills, tricks, core strength and flexibility training. This is a great addition to any dance class and is perfect for cheerleaders looking to improve their skills. Taught by a NCAA regional gymnastics champion.
Jazz & Acro Combo Class
Enjoy jazz dance technique combined with tumbling skills, core strength and flexibility. Learn traditional jazz movement and combinations to fun upbeat music. Add in tumbling and tricks, and you have a fun class that keeps you moving!
Lyrical Jazz
Elements of ballet and jazz are combined to create flowing and expressive movement combining leaps, turns, and other creative balletic choreography. Dancers are encouraged to feel the music and use their whole mind and body to create the movement and dance from within.
Ballet Variations
Students will study, rehearse and analyze the character and musical qualities from various famous Ballets such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, LaBayadere, Don Quixote and others. They will be taught original choreography and have the opportunity to demonstrate their own interpretation and self expression while performing the technical movement.
Hip Hop Breakdance
This form of Hip Hop is very athletic and you will learn safe techniques for the breakdancing elements. Tricks will be broken down and core strengthening exercises are included in this class. Get ready to move like you've never moved before!
Register Now!
Call us at (203) 544-8455 or email us today to sign up now. You may also fax your registration form to (203) 761-9175.
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Partnerships
| The Conservatory is pleased to work with the talented Lisa Falzarine Photography for our studio's professional photography.
Members: Dance Master of America
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Featured Testimonial
| "Thank you so much for another wonderful year of dance. Shelby loves it so much. The show was absolutely adorable."
-Deborah
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