As fall 2021 begins, Dancing Arts Center looks back on an incredible year and forward to another.
DAC is pleased to announce the return of The Nutcracker at the Norwood Theater! DAC will present four general public matinées and evening performances from December 17-19. This will be DAC’s seventh production of the Nutcracker presented in Norwood, and will feature some fresh costumes, choreography, fun surprises, and guest artists.
“We’re thrilled to be returning to the stage after being absent in 2020,” said DAC co-director Gregg Saulnier. “We have a renewed energy. Last year made us realize just what a special place the arts have, how much we need them, and what a gift it is to have the opportunity to work with our own students on such a top-notch production. We also want to thank all the parents of our students for being so supportive and flexible and helping us continue bringing the arts to their children. This long-awaited Nutcracker season is exciting for the kids, and for us.”
Another reason for excitement at DAC this fall is the addition of two new teaching artists to the faculty: Kristy and David DuBois. David initially joined DAC in 2019 teaching modern and will now take on Level 4/5 and Adult ballet classes. Kristy will teach Level 1 and Level 4/5 ballet students.
David and Kristy join existing faculty Jennifer Lester-Rubins (Children’s Division), Stephanie Shaw (Main Division modern), and Niki Sell (jazz and tap). Gregg will take on Primary modern and ballet while co-director Patrick Notaro will teach Level 3 and Adult ballet. Nathalie Navert will be on sabbatical this year from full time teaching but will stay actively involved with DAC as a rehearsal coach for The Nutcracker, substitute teacher, and advisor for projects throughout the year.
“DAC has always maintained an incredible roster of teaching artists, and we are happy to welcome Kristy and David to the staff for 2021-2022. They bring high energy and tremendous classical and contemporary experience,” said Gregg Saulnier. “We’re so impressed with how committed they are to the art of dance and to their students. And they’re a lot of fun!”
Looking back on the rapidly changing health environments of 2020 and 2021, DAC remained steadfast in providing their students with the development opportunities so important to their growth as young people. In addition to ongoing classes given virtually and eventually safely in person, beginning in fall 2020 several students began preparing for Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP); in early spring young DAC dancers presented their Student Concert; in June the Spring Concert was held for the first time live streamed for family and friends; and throughout the summer DAC students of all levels worked hard and had fun with workshops and intensives.
For well over a decade, Dancing Arts Center students have been participating in the regional YAGP semi-finals, which this year took place March 19-21 at the Hanover Theater for the Performing Arts in Worcester, Massachusetts. DAC brought six dancers to the competition: 18-year-old Trevor PinterParsons, Senior Men’s Category; 15-year-old Gabrielle Schmid, 12-year-olds Jacqueline Vaughn, Julia Kerins, and Clementine “Coco” Perrott, all in the Junior Ladies’ Category; and Avery Marion, age 11, in the Pre-Competitive Category. Trevor placed 3rd in Senior Men’s Classical and top six in Senior Men’s Contemporary. Coco placed 3rd in her category with her classical solo, while Gabrielle placed in the top twelve in her category.
Trevor and Coco were invited to perform at the YAGP finals in Tampa, Florida from May 10-16, both earning scholarship offers. Coco was invited to audition for Canada’s National Ballet School (Toronto, Ontario). The week-long audition was conducted virtually in July at the DAC studios, and we are excited to announce that Coco has secured a spot in the year-round program for 2022-23.
Trevor went on to a summer intensive with Cincinnati Ballet, from which he was offered and accepted a trainee position. He is now hard at work becoming a professional ballet dancer!
Gabrielle was selected to attend the 5-week Kaatsbaan Summer Intensive Program, led by former American Ballet Theatre Principal Stella Abrera. Gabrielle will continue with some private coaching with Ms. Abrera during the fall at DAC via Zoom™.
On June 12th, all of DAC’s Main Division students performed in the annual Spring Concert, live from Studio A. Beginning with upbeat tap pieces choreographed by Gregg Saulnier, moving into inspiring modern dances by DAC faculty David DuBois and Stephanie Shaw, and ending with a tremendous ballet suite of excerpts from Raymonda adapted by Gregg Saulnier, Patrick Notaro, and Nathalie Navert, the Spring Concert was an afternoon of dance excellence and a fitting end to a challenging year.
“We are incredibly proud of all our students for continuing their training through this challenging year and overcoming many physical and emotional challenges, and in spite of the difficulties flourishing and thriving,” said Gregg Saulnier. “Our YAGP competitors especially have demonstrated so much dedication in taking on the extra preparation and work for these events. It gives us great hope for what’s to come, not only for their growth and development as young people but for the future of this art form.”
Stay tuned throughout the fall season and follow DAC on Facebook and Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes looks at the work that goes into preparing a professional ballet production!