This recital weekend we enjoyed several amazing performances and celebrated Miss Tollie’s 20th year teaching at the Academy. To honor her, we have created a video that highlights her incredible career. Thank you Miss Tollie for all that you do for the Academy! Special thank you to Miss Caitlin for putting this wonderful tribute together. […]
As many of you know, last month Jr. and Sr. Company members participated in National Dance Week Foundation’s Kick It Challenge. After submitting our video, we were recognized as one of the winners of the 2nd Annual Video Contest in the category of dance studios! We are so excited to be recognized for our efforts and can’t […]
A huge congratulations to WAD alumni Grace Bergonzi, who has just been named an apprentice with Ailey II, the 2nd company of the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Ailey II embodies Mr. Ailey’s pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Under the direction of Sylvia Waters from 1974 to 2012, and currently under the direction of Troy Powell, the company has flourished into one of the most popular modern dance companies, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs.
After training at Westport’s Academy of Dance thru 2013, Ms. Bergonzi received the Jogues Scholarship and the Alvin Ailey Artistic Merit Scholarship as she entered the B.F.A. program at Fordham/Ailey. She graduated summa cum laude in May of 2017, and we are so thrilled for her next chapter, as apprentice with this magnificent company!
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.
MORE Than Words/#Iammore
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
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!
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.
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.
What an exciting show! Watch our Academy dancers at Toquet Hall after only a few short weeks of preparation and rehearsal for this new performance workshop with original choreography from our own Courtney Poulos.
It’s hard to believe the Academy will be performing it’s 30th Anniversary production of the Nutcracker this year. What hits me even more, is Read the rest of this entry »
We’re excited to announce that The Dance on Camera Festival, co-produced by Dance Films Association (DFA) and The Film Society of Lincoln Center, has accepted our work as part of the 40th annual internationally touring Dance on Camera Festival and will be screened at The Walter Reade Theater in January of the coming year!
The piece was choreographed by our own David Fernandez and features the Academy dancers Read the rest of this entry »
Every year the show is so unique and we get to experience the energy and enthusiasm of the live performance for those two magical days. With the video, we continually strive to capture each moment in a format that will last forever – So the memories stay fresh and the experience can be remembered.
Our Winter Showcase workshop was added to the line up of ongoing academy performances to give our talented teachers, choreographers and students the chance to further illustrate their creativity. Read the rest of this entry »
Great job keeping this a secret before the performance! Bravo to David’s choreography and to all the company girls and “special guest” dancers for making this piece fill the room with energy!
Congratulations to Julia Edelman, student choreographer for our first annual Winter Showcase. Click above to view an excerpt from an interview with Julia.
As always we thank you for allowing us the extra time to produce your multi-camera performance videos. The full-length Recital 2009 videos are complete.
Click above to view a montage from the performance. Visit our online video gallery to watch numerous clips from all 3 performances.
Thanks to all the Nutcracker students, parents and performers for waiting so patiently for the delivery of the final video. The DVDs have arrived, please contact us if you haven’t received your 2-disk set, or if you would like to order additional copies.
Click on the image above to watch the video trailer!
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!
