the academy is NOT moving… YET!
You may have noticed the sign in front of our building… This is not due to a confirmed plan to move but simply part of the process of exploring potential new locations as we look to expand our program offerings and continue to grow our legacy institution…
the nutcracker 2019 (full-length video)
Enjoy this full-length video of our 38th annual production of The Nutcracker…
our 38th annual production of the nutcracker – tickets now available!
Staged every December for the past 37 years, this professional production includes Academy students that are enrolled in our ballet program…
our 6th annual production of alice (2019): full performance video
Enjoy this video showing our full 2019/6th Annual Production of Alice…
Another Westport Academy of Dance season is rapidly approaching…
Join us at the Academy for various summer dance camp programs…
please join us at our upcoming alice perfomance
Spring is here and so is Westport’s Academy of Dance 6th annual production of Alice!
the nutcracker 2018 (full-length video)
Enjoy this full-length video of our 37th annual production of The Nutcracker…
dance and the importance of emergency preparedness
Westport’s Academy of Dance is proud of our own Teacher and Choreographer David Fernandez and Student Charlotte Barrato for helping The Mayor’s Office of New York City and The New York City Emergency Management Department…
Please join us at The Westport Young Woman’s League CraftWestport 2018 at Staples High School…
Enjoy this full-length video of our 38th annual production of The Nutcracker. The Academy’s cherished holiday tradition performed at Staples High School in December, 2019.
(Full-screen view is recommended – please click the arrows in the lower right corner of the video player next to “HD”)
Enjoy this video showing our full 2019/6th Annual Production of Alice!
Original choreography by Courtney Polous, Alice – a fun and funky take on the children’s classic Alice in Wonderland. The program highlights jazz, tap and modern styles of dance. All rights reserved” (c) 2019.
Spring is here and so is Westport’s Academy of Dance 6th annual production of Alice! The shows will be performed at Staples High School – Sunday May 5th at 1:00pm & 5:00pm.
Please click here for tickets…
Original choreography by Courtney Polous, Alice – a fun and funky take on the children’s classic Alice in Wonderland. The program highlights jazz, tap and modern styles of dance. All rights reserved” (c) 2018.
Watch the video trailer above!
Enjoy this full-length video of our 37th annual production of The Nutcracker. The Academy’s cherished holiday tradition performed at Staples High School in December, 2018.
(Full-screen view is recommended – please click the arrows in the lower right corner of the video player next to “HD”)
Westport’s Academy of Dance is proud of our own Teacher/Choreographer David Fernandez and Student Charlotte Barrato for helping The New York City Emergency Management Department raise awareness and educate on the importance of emergency preparedness.
“Moving Through It” shows the phases of an emergency through dance. David’s choreography demonstrates the actions and emotions in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from an event. This marks the first time New York City Emergency Management has used dance to raise awareness and educate on the importance of emergency preparedness.
Watch the full video in English here…
Spanish translation available here…
Produced by: Craig Hyland, David Fernandez and James McConnell in collaboration with The Mayor’s Office of New York City and The New York City Emergency Management Department.
Video Directed and Edited by: David Schiliro
Featuring: Shannon Maynor (Eglevsky Ballet), Morgan Stinnett (Cello Pointe) Dona Wiley (Cello Pointe), Julian Wanderer (School of American Ballet), Charlotte Barrato (Westport’s Academy of Dance), Christopher Grant (New York City Ballet), Traci Finch (The Suzanne Farrell Ballet), Paunika Jones (Brooklyn Ballet) and Miku Kawamura (Brooklyn Ballet)
To learn more about this project and to donate please visit The Dance Films Association…
Enjoy this video showing our full 2018/5th Annual Production of Alice!
Original choreography by Courtney Polous, Alice – a fun and funky take on the children’s classic Alice in Wonderland. The program highlights jazz, tap and modern styles of dance. All rights reserved” (c) 2018.
Spring is here and so is Westport’s Academy of Dance 5th annual production of Alice! Original choreography by Courtney Polous, Alice - a fun and funky take on the children’s classic Alice in Wonderland. The program highlights jazz, tap and modern styles of dance. All performances will be held at Bedford Middle School Sunday May 20th at 1:00pm and 5:00pm.
Please click here for tickets…
Watch the video trailer by clicking above!
Enjoy this full-length video of our 36th annual production of The Nutcracker. The Academy’s cherished holiday tradition performed at Staples High School in December, 2017.
(Full-screen view is recommended – please click the arrows in the lower right corner of the video player next to “HD”)
Enjoy these video clips from last year’s performance!
Dancers, teachers, parent volunteers all getting ready for the coming weekend!
Check out this video from in-studio rehearsal!
What a pleasure it was to be a apart of the kids fun zone at CraftWestport last weekend! The Academy was thrilled to be a sponsor for such a wonderful community event. Thank you to our Jr. & Sr. Company dancers who performed two terrific dances choreographed by Academy teacher Caitlin Roberts. Everyone did such a wonderful job!
Please enjoy this special 360 video of last weekend’s performance.
Enjoy this video showing the full 2017 production of Alice!
All rights reserved” (c) 2017.
Enjoy this video commentary from Academy students and parents as we all look forward to our upcoming 2017-2018 season!
The Academy’s cherished holiday tradition… performed at Staples High School in December, 2016.
(Full-screen view is recommended – please click the arrows in the lower right corner of the video player next to “HD”)
Photography by Kerry Long
Wishing a very special congratulations to Courtney Poulos and the WAD dancers for their acceptance into the MORE Than Words exhibition.
Be sure to stop by the Westport Arts Center to view all the wonderful works that center around such an important topic facing our kids and adults alike. The exhibit is open until January 7th, 2017.
The Westport Arts Center announces the MORE Than Words/#iammore exhibition, featuring selected works by the community at large. The works were designed in support of the theme of the Arts Center’s previous exhibition MORE Than Words – courage, resilience and empowerment in the face of bullying – featuring pieces by some of the most important contemporary artists of our time.
If you would like to learn more information about please click here. #iammore
Please check out this quick montage of this year’s Alice performance!
Original choreography from our own Courtney Poulos. The show highlights jazz, tap and modern styles of dance, and features music crossing many genres.
All rights reserved” (c) 2016.
We are excited to support “DANCEIMMERSIVE” – an ongoing immersive 360 dance video series that puts the viewer directly in the choreography – featuring the world’s most notable dancers in the most iconic locations and landscapes. Choreographed by our own David Fernandez – featuring Alexa Maxwell and Laine Habony (Members, NYC Ballet). Produced, shot, and stitched by visual mercenary group, and noticed by Dance Informa Magazine as seen here.
Reflecting on 40 years, we didn’t know what to expect when students were asked their thoughts about dance and their experiences at The Academy. What we found brought smiles, tears and such a deep sense of gratitude. This video is dedicated to all the students, parents, teachers, and members of our dance community – those that create these moments, making each and every day memorable.
(Full-screen view is recommended – please click the arrows in the lower right corner of the video player, next to “HD”)
A very special thanks to all that participated in the video shoot. Please stay tuned for more video releases!
For tips and info on preparing hair and make-up for a performance, click to watch the video above
What a show… a further refined Academy performance with original choreography from our own Courtney Poulos. The show highlights jazz, tap and modern styles of dance, and features music crossing many genres.
All rights reserved” (c) 2014.
Scenes from our 2014 Spring Recital performance – Photography by Kerry Long.
Scenes from our 2014 Alice performance – Photography by Kerry Long.
Scenes from our 2014 Winter Showcase – Photography by Kerry Long.
Scenes from our 2013 Nutcracker performance – Photography by Kerry Long.
A collection of clips from this year’s winter workshop and showcase performance at FTC StageOne – set to the music of Arcade Fire. Full performance video in the making… Please contact us if you would like to order the complete show on DVD.
Usually supporting from the wings, this year three academy teachers stepped onstage and into the background to help highlight one of our graduates, who has the unique the ability to embody each choreographer’s individual style, as well as cultivate her own.
Scenes from our 2013 Spring Recital performance – Photography by Kerry Long.
The Westport Academy of Dance Blog is a forum for students, parents, teachers, dancers, and all those that are passionate about performance art to share their voice as key members of our dance community!