Recently, 34 dancers from the Cawthra Park Secondary School's Regional Arts Program in Ontario, Canada visited NJDTE for an inspiring day of classes and sharing movement.
NJDTE Level 3B & 4 dancers and the dancers from Cawthra Park joined together for a modern master class with Kate Skarpetowska. Then, the dancers performed excerpts of their repertory works for each other in a shared studio showing, including NJDTE's "I Await," choreographed by faculty member Belinda McGuire, an Ontario native who has also been a guest teacher at Cawthra Park. Other NJDTE repertory included excerpts of two 2015 world premieres: "Love is for the Poets" by Kate Skarpetowska and "Phenom" by Elizabeth Roxas. Afterwards, the Cawthra Park dancers attended a performance by Complexions Contemporary Ballet, featuring NJDTE alumna Shanna Irwin.
NJDTE Level 3B & 4 dancers and the dancers from Cawthra Park joined together for a modern master class with Kate Skarpetowska. Then, the dancers performed excerpts of their repertory works for each other in a shared studio showing, including NJDTE's "I Await," choreographed by faculty member Belinda McGuire, an Ontario native who has also been a guest teacher at Cawthra Park. Other NJDTE repertory included excerpts of two 2015 world premieres: "Love is for the Poets" by Kate Skarpetowska and "Phenom" by Elizabeth Roxas. Afterwards, the Cawthra Park dancers attended a performance by Complexions Contemporary Ballet, featuring NJDTE alumna Shanna Irwin.
| The day at NJDTE made a strong and lasting impression on the Canadian students. Four dancers will be attending the 2015 Pre-MIP program in NYC in July, with housing provided by the beautiful Grand Summit Hotel in Summit, NJ. One of these dancers, Bianca Foo, shared her thoughts about what she calls her "life-changing experience" at NJDTE, and how it inspired her to continue to pursue her true passion: |  (l to r) NJDTE Artistic Director Nancy Turano, Cawthra Park Faculty Member Fanny Ghorayeb and NJDTE Faculty/Choreographer Belinda McGuire |
"This February, our repertoire dance ensemble had the privilege to travel to New York to further our dance training with a variety of outstanding choreographers and teachers, including a visit to the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble under the direction of Nancy Turano. Our entire trip was absolutely breathtaking, including a life-changing experience dancing at NJDTE. After taking one modern dance class with Kate Skarpetowska I was moved. Not only was the dance space at the NJDTE spectacular, but there I was exposed to exceptional teachers and had the opportunity to watch the works of phenomenal artists. I am a student who has a deep interest in kinesiology and an unconditional love for dance. I have been accepted into five Canadian universities for kinesiology; however, dance is my passion. It was the connection I made with these beautiful artists at NJDTE and the incredible Nancy Turano that inspired me to carry on dancing. I am so grateful for the astonishing experience I was given. I will be continuing the start of my journey as a dancer as I apply for dance universities in Canada and return to New York City to attend Pre-MIP at DANY Studios with the beautiful dancers of the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble."
Bianca Foo, grade 12 student at Cawthra Park Secondary School's Regional Arts Program, Ontario, Canada
Level 4 dancers and Cawthra Park dancers in class with Kate Skarpetowska, creating strong, clear lines through space:
