Nice Work If You Can Get It

I love Broadway Shows. This love affair has gone on for years. Just like any love affair it has its highs and lows." Nice Work If You Can Get It" gives you that floating on air feeling. It gives you that Fred and Ginger, Gene Kelly feeling. The show stars Kelli O'Hara and Matthew Broderick. They are not dancers but they fake it pretty good.  The music and lyrics are written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. This show brings this old music back to life in a fresh way with twists and unexpected uses. The show is directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. Her style is pure American theater dance. She knows how to put steps together and make them look good on stage. She is not an innovator or an imitator. She blends and bends steps and makes her own style. I have great respect for choreographers who can do this. I have studied dance my entire life and worked as a dancer, dance teacher and choreographer for over 40 years. Often when I see a performance I leave the theater thinking why did I spend my money on this junk but Nice Work is worth every penny of the ticket price. Go see "Nice Work If You Can Get It.

How Do I Become A Professional Dancer

                   To become a professional dancer it takes - hard work, dance classes, a good healthy diet and a true passion for dance. Find a good dancing school, one that has professional dancers on staff. Most ballet companies have an apprentice program. Often dancers are hired into ballet companies from their apprentice programs. Do your research and find the best program for you. 
                   Apprentice Programs look for students with potential for a professional career in dance,
his or her physical capabilities and strengths, attendance in classes, self discipline and maintenance of a suitable body weight. Ballet students should attend at least 5 ballet classes per week, pointe class for female students and rehearsals for performances. Time on stage is very important. You need experience on stage. Dancing in a classroom and performing on stage is different. 
                   Audition - learn how to audition. Go to auditions before you need to  - there are auditions for Summer Ballet Intensives, Apprentice Programs, Trainee Programs and professional paid jobs. Audition until you feel strong and comfortable.
                    A dancers job is demanding both physically and emotionally. It takes long hours of classes, rehearsals and performances. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that dancers and choreographers earned a mean hourly wage of $16.55 as of May 2010 (www.bls.gov). States that had the highest level of employment for dancers were California, New York, Nevada, Hawaii and Missouri.

www.theballetcenter.org

What do I wear to Ballet Class

What do I wear to Ballet Class?
Ladies/ girls wear a black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers as the most traditional dance attire.

Men/ boys wear black tights, dance belt under the tights, white t-shirt or leotard and black ballet slippers. If you are male make sure you buy dancewear that is made for males.There are many types of ballet slippers check with your teachers as to the type you should wear. Some schools let girls wear a short ballet skirt. The idea is the teacher needs to see the line of the body.  Look neat, clean and ready to learn.

How To Choose A Ballet School

What do you need to know to find the right ballet school.
First - Find a professional ballet school, even if you only want to introduce your child to ballet. It is best to learn proper technique. Take a look at the schools website. Look for a school with a professional ballet company in residence.
Second - Visit the school. Talk to the staff. Ask how many students have become dance professionals.
Look for a professional setting at the school. Ask about the dance floor. It should be a "floating dance floor".
Third - Small class size allows for more individual instruction. The teacher can catch any problems before they turn into bad habits or improper technique. Proper names of steps should be taught. French is the vocabulary of ballet.
Fourth - There is no license issued by the government to teach ballet so anyone can teach ballet. Ask for information on the teachers background and look at the schools website and read the bios of the teachers. A good school will have a good website with lots of information for you to read.
Fifth - look on Youtube to see if the school has videos posted so you can see the students and teachers.
This is a good start on how to find a ballet school for yourself or your child.

Dance Recital Costumes

One of the most exciting times of the year is when costumes arrive for annual dance recitals. At The Ballet Center, we try to keep costumes appropriate, affordable, and of course, beautiful!

Whether they have full fluffy tutus for ballet classes, shimmery shiny sequins for tap and jazz performances, or soft and flowing costumes for modern dance numbers, you can be sure a LOT of thought has gone into each and every selection.

What kind of costumes do you like best? Have you been happy with the costumes your children are wearing? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Fairy Tale Camp

for children ages 3-6 years old Children enjoy warm up exercises, ballet class, story time, a healthy snack and an arts and craft project. We put the emphasis on fun, but there is a structured environment and a basic introduction to dance skills. Tuition:  $35 per day/$125 per week per child each session (9:00 am - 11:45am)   Session One - June 25 - 29 Session Two - July 23 - 27 Each day, Monday through Friday, we present a daily theme from different fairy tale favorites: Session One - June 25 - June 29, 2012 Monday - Cinderella Tuesday  - The Little Mermaid Wednesday  - Sleeping Beauty Thursday – Snow White Friday – Beauty & the Beast Session Two -July 23 - 27, 2012  Monday - Rapunzal Tuesday - 12 Dancing Princesses Wednesday - Cinderella Thursday - Tinkerbell Friday - Beauty & the Beast Join The Fun! For more information, call 631-737-1964 Fairy Tale Camp is held at The Ballet Center, 1863 Pond Road, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

Summer Ballet Intensive

Summer Ballet Intensive is a unique training experience for children, teens, and adults that immerses aspiring dancers in a minimum of three classes per day, plus rehearsals and performances. They are joined by professional dancers from Ballet Long Island. Dates - Mon July 9 - Fri July 13, 2012 Time - 9:00 am - 3:00pm Tuition - $300 This is a fun-filled learning adventure.The teaching staff is one of the best in the United States. Dance classes in ballet and modern dance will be held along with classes in choreography, pointe, and character. Students will also view videotapes of famous classical dance works to enhance learning. Ballet Long Island's Summer Ballet Intensive is designed to develop all facets of a student's orientation to ballet. Professional dancers on staff with Ballet Long Island will join the intensive students in a performance of "Coppelia." Debra Punzi    Laurie Solomon Robin Williams Natasa Trifan Dawn Petchonka Keith Miller Performances: Choreography Showcase - Thurs July 12 - 2:00pm - free Tickets: FREE Coppelia - Fri July 13 - 2:00pm Tickets: $16 adults, $6 child, $6 senior citizen Call 631-737-1964 for more information or email us at balletlongisland.com.

Seussical JR

The Cat in the Hat is the host and emcee (and all-around mischief-maker) in this romp through the Seuss classics. When the sweet, good-natured elephant Horton hears a small cry for help coming from a small speck of dust, he promises to rescue and guard it because "a person's a person, no matter how small."


On that small speck of dust lives JoJo, an imaginative young Who. JoJo has astounding "thinks," in which anything's possible, but his parents believe this creativity is inappropriate for the son of the Mayor of Who-Ville.

Meanwhile, the one-feathered bird, Miss Gertrude McFuzz, desperately wants Horton to notice her. Maybe, she thinks, she just needs a more impressive tail. At the same time, the amazingly lazy Maysie La Bird connives, cajoles and convinces Horton to sit on her egg while she goes off on a spree.

Will the planet of Who survive? Will Horton pay attention to Gertrude? Will Maysie ever return for her egg? Dr. Seuss's beloved classic characters find themselves intertwined in an incredible crazy-quilt adventure, in which the power of imagination and the most miraculous "think" ever save the day!

Fri May 11 - 7:00pm   •   Fri May 18 - 7:00pm

Tickets - $16 adults, $6 child, $6 senior citizen (donation to our scholarship fund) 

Performances Held At:
Ballet Long Island

1863 Pond Rd

Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 

Order Your Tickets Today Call - 631-737-1964

Coppelia

Coppélia

Ballet Long Island will present classical ballet's greatest comedy, Coppélia. A story of mistaken identity and a beautiful mechanical doll, Coppélia leaves young and old alike bemused by the antics of our two confused lovers, Swanhilda and Franz.With a beautifully engaging score by Leo Delibes, you'll be whisked away to a doll maker's workshop for a fun ballet for the entire family.

Fri July 13 - 11:00am & 2:00pm

Tickets  - Adult $16, child $6, senior citizen $6 

              Group Rates Available

Held at

Ballet Long Island

1863 Pond Rd

Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

Call 631-737-1964

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

This Hans Christian Andersen Fairy tale tells a story filled with magic and love.

The Little mermaid saves the life of a young man and falls in love with him. With all

her heart, she wants him to fall in love with her too. But for this romance to have any chance at all, The Little Mermaid must give up the sea, leave her family and friends behind and become an earthly human. The Little Mermaid visits a Sea Witch ( a wicked Sea Witch ) for a special magic spell to fulfill her dream to be come human.

Her adventure on earth begins.

The Little Mermaid is a charming ballet for both young and old.

Wed May 16– 11:00am

Wed May16 -  12:15pm

Sat May 19 – 1:00pm

Held at;

Ballet Long Island

1863 Pond Road

Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

Tickets: Adult - $16, Child - $6,Senior Citizen - $6  Group Rate available

For tickets and information  www.theballetcenter.org
Call 631-737- 1964

Mother's Day Princess Tea Party

What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday this Mother's Day weekend! A Princess Tea Party at The Ballet Center in Ronkonkoma features a ballet performance by favorite Princesses, a chance to meet the Princesses and take photos with them, and refreshments in our Princess Party Room with a cupcake, cookies, lemonade and ice tea.

Dress up like your favorite Princess if you like, or just wear your favorite dance or dress-up clothes. Perfect for moms, grandmothers and young Princesses!

The next performance is at 1:00pm on May 12 at 1863 Pond Road, Ronkonkoma. It is highly suggested that you purchase your tickets in advance.

Tickets are $18 each or 2/$30 and are available by phone at 631-737-1964 or online at TheBalletCenter.org.

Dance Scholarship Auditions

As a not-for-profit dance organization, our mission is to make dance available and affordable to everyone.

To help accomplish this mission, The Ballet Center has a long history of offering a broad scholarship program to encourage and support our serious dance students. 

The Ballet Center offers significant reductions in tuition for those who qualify.  During the 2012 – 13 school year, Artistic Director Debra Punzi will offer fifty (50) scholarships to deserving students. 

Scholarships are full or partial and depend on skill or financial need. The Ballet Center is the only school on Long Island that offers this great scholarship program. Many of our students have gone on to professional careers in dance: teachers, professional dancers and choreographers. Ms. Punzi believes serious and talented dancers should be rewarded and encouraged.

Serious about dance? Apply for a TBC Scholarship.

Scholarships are awarded through the audition process. Students wishing to apply for a scholarship must file an application and audition at The Ballet Center, 1863 Pond Road, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779.

Audition Dates:
Sat June 23 - 11:00am
Wed July 18 - 7:00pm
There is a $10 application fee.

For more information Call 631-737-1964 or email balletlongisland@aol.com