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Alumni Update: Darwin Black Gives Back at TU Dance

8/17/2015

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by Corey Bliss
In the summer of 2005, NJDTE alumnus Darwin Black (2006) attended his first NJDTE Summer Intensive on full scholarship at the age of 15. Artistic Director Nancy Turano saw untapped potential in Darwin: he had great physical facility and a strong presence, but  limited exposure to ballet and modern techniques. After just two years of training at NJDTE, Darwin matured into a virtuosic dancer and a confident, engaging performer. He went on to study on fellowship at The Ailey School before embarking upon a prolific and successful career dancing with renowned companies, including Sacramento Ballet, Miami Contemporary Dance Company, RIOULT and more. Now entering his third season with TU Dance in St. Paul, MN, Darwin is inspiring the next generation of aspiring dancers by teaching Horton-based modern technique to inner city youth at the company's school. Darwin speaks candidly about his childhood and growing up in Newark, NJ, and how NJDTE changed the course of his life: 
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Darwin in Jean Emile's "Talk to Her" at NJDTE. Photo by Juliana Thomas.
"NJDTE gave me an outlet and a healthy, safe place to go on the weekends. Getting up early on Sundays was a thrill and the best part of my week. I saw possibilities and new opportunities for myself. It was a doorway to a different world than the one I grew up in."
For Darwin, who "loves being a role model and a big brother," giving back to communities like his native Newark through teaching is even more inspiring than performing, his admitted "first love."
"Being able to relate to my students and their experiences helps me to stay focused and motivates me to keep learning and growing as a performer." 
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Photo by Kieshalia Stephens, courtesy of PinkAfterGlow
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Darwin teaching a modern class at TU Dance. Photo by Jeffrey Thompson, courtesy MPR News.
Darwin credits NJDTE with empowering him to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional dancer. He hopes to return to Newark some day to start his own program for inner city youth, because "NJDTE was inspiring, and I want to inspire back." He shares this advice for young dancers as they strive to overcome their own obstacles and meet new challenges: 
"Stay open, always listen and be able to receive. Make yourself available for anything your body and mind can do, and have confidence in that."
Read more about Darwin's work with TU Dance and their dance education initiatives, and mark your calendar for TU Dance at the Joyce Theater in NYC in January 2016!
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Alumni Update: Madelyn Eltringham

8/3/2015

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PictureMadelyn in "Dusk" at SUNY Purchase.
NJDTE alumna Madelyn Eltringham (2011) recently graduated from SUNY Purchase. As a student in the BFA program, Madelyn had the opportunity to learn from brilliant faculty and peers and work with many emerging and renowned choreographers, including Sarah Mettin, Adam Barruch, Gabrielle Lamb, Ori Flomin, Rosalind Newman, Nicolo Fonte, and Bettijane Sills staging pieces by George Balanchine. Madelyn also gained performance experience as a member of the Purchase Dance Company, dancing in productions at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College and New York Live Arts, as well as many student projects. Other highlights from her college career include a semester abroad at the London Contemporary Dance School.

She credits NJDTE for giving her valuable skills, such as a high level of technique, drive, and professionalism, that enabled her to succeed not only in college and have prepared her for a bright future in the professional world. 

Madelyn Eltringham, a 2015 graduate of SUNY Purchase, reflects on her college career and the lessons NJDTE gave her.

“The experience to connect and work with so many current choreographers was invaluable for the future. I am grateful to have met so many artists through the program. To me, being an NJDTE alumna fills me with confidence. Because the program is so excellent, I feel a responsibility to carry on those high standards and proudly represent NJDTE in everything that I do."
PictureMadelyn in "Dissolves" at SUNY Purchase.



Madelyn’s future plans include auditioning for a vast array of artists and choreographers around the world. She is excited to discover new dance opportunities, and shares this advice for the NJDTE dancers who are now preparing for college and the next steps in their careers:

“Approach this unique and amazing phase of your life with an open mind, heart, and body. You really will get back what you put into your college experience."
We wish you the best of luck, Madelyn!

Photo credit: Jia-Lian Lin, JL Photography and Ted Kivitt
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Pre-MIP 2015 Recap: Discovering The Body's Possibilities

8/2/2015

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Recently, 27 talented dancers ages 15-18 from eight prestigious schools from across the US and Canada attended NJDTE's Pre-Movement Invention Project 2015 at DANY Studios in New York City. Guided by master faculty Andra Corvino (Corvino Ballet), Ana-Maria Lucaciu (Assistant to Alexander Ekman) and David Norsworthy (Founder/Director of FRESH Dance Intensive and TOES for Dance), dancers received advanced instruction in ballet, pointe and contemporary techniques as part of a 2-week introduction to the creative process. By exploring improvisational skills in a collaborative and supportive environment, the dancers were free to discover the body's limitless possibilities for movement.
Enjoy the video and photos below of the 2015 Pre-MIP dancers from NJDTE, Ballet Divertimento in Montreal, Cawthra Park Secondary School in Ontario, Peridance Center and The Ailey School Junior Division in NYC, The Grier School in Birmingham, PA, Draper Center for Dance Education in Rochester, NY and Performing Arts Center of Connecticut in Trumbull, CT.
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"Pre-MIP really focused a lot on spacial awareness, spacial patterns, and transitioning. It's made me mature not only as a dancer, but also intellectually and spiritually." - Victoria, age 18
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Exploring floor work with Ana-Maria Lucaciu
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Ballet class with NJDTE Founding Ballet Mistress Andra Corvino
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Contemporary class with David Norsworthy
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Andra Corvino demonstrating barre work
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