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ballet

For the Best Summer Ever, Sign Your Child Up for Dance Camp at Logrea Dance Academy!

April 2, 2021 by Inside Press

The Logrea Dance Academy (LDA) is offering 4 weeks of dance, fun and learning – beginning July 13th.

Dance Camp at Logrea will take place three times a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with different sessions for different age groups.

For ages 7 to 9, camp will take place from 9:30 a.m, to 12:30 p.m. For ages 10 to 12, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. These summer camp classes include training in ballet, jazz, creative movement, theater dance, dance history, conditioning, arts and crafts–and more!

And for your peace of mind, and the safety of students and staff, Logrea’s class sizes are limited for safe distancing–and all are required to wear face masks. Plus, all classes take place in their air quality-controlled studio.

LDA is also offering summer intensive classes to their LDA students to improve their individual technique, strength and flexibility, running from July 12th through August 6th. These classes are for LDA levels IV through C (Intermediate through Advanced.) They can be taken live or virtually, whichever you prefer. To see the summer intensive schedule, go to www.LogreaDance.com.

About LDA: Logrea Dance Academy has been providing dance education to the children of Westchester for 35 years. The school offers classes in ballet, jazz, tap, modern and theatre dance for students from ages 3 to adult.

The school is led by directors Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea, and associate director Nick Logrea. Beth Fritz-Logrea, joined the Metropolitan Opera at age 16, and subsequently became a soloist with the St. Gallen Stadt Theater and Graz Opera House in Austria. Jean Logrea began his formal training at Scoala de Coregrafie in Cluj Napoca and thereafter became a soloist with Opera Romana Ballet Company and the Graz Opera House in Austria. Nick Logrea is not only a classically trained dancer, but is also a Zumba Education Specialist, travelling the US and internationally teaching Master Classes – and appearing in fitness concerts in London, Australia and Prague, among others.

Additionally, LDA’s large faculty are professionals who have worked in the business – some from Broadway, others from prestigious dance companies, and many travel from NYC to teach LDA students.

The school is also the official school of the Westchester Ballet Company, where Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea serve as Artistic Directors.

Why expose children to the arts? Research shows it expands them in so many different ways – helping them acquire skills that can greatly impact their academic school success – and make them into more well-rounded adults. Students at LDA learn life lessons like discipline, poise, confidence, respect, teamwork, and perseverance. Many of LDA students have moved on to prestigious dance companies and Ivy League colleges. Some have taken their dance training and moved on to careers in musical theatre. But whether a student wants a career in dance, or just wants to dance for the joy of it, he or she will learn skills at Logrea that will last a lifetime. 

LDA is located at 2 Dale Avenue, Ossining, NY. For more information on Summer Dance Camp or Logrea Dance Academy, go to www.LogreaDance.com – or call us at 914-941-2939.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Lifestyles with our Sponsors Tagged With: ballet, Beth Fritz-Logrea, creative movement, Dance, Dance Academy, dance companies, dance theater, Jazz Dance, Jean Logrea, Logrea Dance Academy, Modern Dance, Musical Theater, Nick Logrea, Ossining, Tap, Westchester, Westchester Ballet Company

Armonk Dance: Where Fancy Footwork is Fun

August 25, 2016 by The Inside Press

IMG_3115By Stacey Pfeffer

At the end of a side street off of Old Route 22 in town, there’s a special place called Armonk Dance where children pirouette, plié and practice their latest hip-hop moves all in a warm, welcoming environment where the emphasis is on fun. Owner Cynthia D’Angelo envisioned opening a type of dance studio where anyone from Broadway-bound hopefuls to children with special needs can dance.

D’Angelo strives to make the studio “all inclusive.” Kids with Down syndrome or children with autism are included in classes and not segregated. “For us our mission statement is not just about the teams or medals on the wall, which I think can sometimes take over a school,” D’Angelo says. “Our philosophy is that all kids can dance. You don’t have to be the perfect height or the perfect weight.”

The dance studio has been in its current location for 13 years and houses four spacious studios with sprung floors or multipurpose flooring to ensure the dancers’ safety and prevent injury. It also contains a dancewear boutique, which is open for students of the studio as well as the general public. D’Angelo takes great pride in the fact that the children from her dance company also designed the murals on display on the studio walls. The space also features a large lobby, homework area, child’s play area and changing rooms and cubbies.

This past season D’Angelo’s studio had more than 600 dancers enrolled and had almost 100 classes to choose from with students ranging in age from three through 18. “I started dancing when I was nine because I was lazy,” laughs D’Angelo, who considers herself a “late bloomer” in the dance world. Despite her late entry into dancing, D’Angelo excelled at ballet and trained with Judi Drozd of the Joffrey Ballet as a teenager. D’Angelo trained additionally with the Boston Ballet, Walnut Hill of the Performing Arts and Jacobs Pillow 12 + 12 program, which toured in Russia.

As a student enrolled at the University of Missouri – Kansas City obtaining her fine arts degree, she began to study other forms of dance including hip-hop, contemporary, flamenco and jazz. D’Angelo eventually became an adjunct professor of dance at the university. She later moved back to the East Coast and taught at Armonk Dance for more than a decade. She was offered the chance to buy the studio after its previous owners decided to relocate. Even as the studio’s owner, she still enjoys teaching several classes a week there.

IMG_3114D’Angelo ensures that her staff is top-notch and looks for them to have a dance background or degree “so that they have the pedagogy of dance and understand anatomy and physiology so that we can build healthy dancers.” She also likes to hire local graduates of Manhattanville College in Purchase.

Her staff has obviously been very successful at honing the children’s talents. The school boasts some notable alumni such as Lauryn Ciardullo, who is the swing/Jasmine understudy in Aladdin on Broadway. Another recent alumni was on the national tour of Evita. Although D’Angelo likes to keep the focus on fun in her studio, dancers who yearn for more practice time can join the company or competition team. Interested students can visit www.armonkdance.com for more information.

Stacey Pfeffer lives with her husband and three young children in Chappaqua. She has written for Inside Chappaqua, New York Family Magazine, Westchester Parent and Kveller.com.

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories Tagged With: Armonk Dance, ballet, Dance

At Logrea Dance Academy: Free Ballet Classes on Sept. 11

August 25, 2016 by The Inside Press

Logrea

Every year, before their fall season begins, children ages three and up can enjoy a free ballet class at the Ossining studios.

“There’s just no better way to spend the last weekend before our fall season begins, than to welcome eager and interested children into our studio and to introduce them to the wonderful art of ballet,” says Beth Fritz-Logrea, as Jean Logrea and their staff prepare for their Open House on Sunday, September 11. “It is an opportunity for us to give back to our community and a chance to share our love of ballet with children who are interested and would like to try a class without cost or pressure. It’s all about passing on the joy of movement and the gratification of accomplishment.”

Vivian Frerking, who teaches the classes for children ages 3-5, is always excited to introduce these youngest students to the routine of her classes, giving them an understanding of the basics of ballet training. “Even children this young seem to immediately grasp that the structure of the class gives them the parameters that allow them to be creative and express themselves in movement. I am always moved when I see the delight in their eyes as they use their bodies in new ways.”

Jean Logrea always makes the time to teach these free classes for the students age 6-13. He feels it is an opportunity for him to connect with children who are new to ballet and curious about what it might have to offer them in life. “I am always happy to think that no matter what they do in life, they will always have that experience with me in my class to hopefully inspire them.”

Miss Vivian’s class for three-year olds begins at 10 a.m. and is followed by her 11 a.m. class for 4 & 5 year olds. Mr. Logrea teaches three classes: Beginner Ballet for 6-9 year olds at 11 a.m.; Intermediate Ballet for students ages 10-13; Int/Advanced Ballet for students age 12-18 (with a minimum of 3 years of ballet training). For further information, go to: www.LogreaInfo.com

Filed Under: Sponsor News! Tagged With: ballet, Dance, free, Logrea Dance

Skyla Schreter Pirouettes her Way to the Top

March 7, 2014 by The Inside Press

Skyla and partner dance “Le Tombeau de Couperin”, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust, music by Maurice Ravel. Photo © Paul Kolnik
Skyla and partner dance “Le Tombeau de Couperin”, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine
Trust, music by Maurice Ravel. Photo © Paul Kolnik

By Heather Skolnick

Right around age four when princesses and ballerinas rule the world and tutus get worn to the supermarket, many girls dream of becoming a ballerina.  My own four-year-old daughter started taking lessons and loves her weekly class in head to toe pink.

Contrast that with Chappaqua teen Skyla Schreter, a professional dancer with the prestigious Boston Ballet. She didn’t like ballet her first year, but at age 18, has an incredible resume of ballet training and performances including the New York City Ballet, Jacob’s Pillow and the Guggenheim. She has even been favorably reviewed by the New York Times.

It began in first grade when Skyla expressed an interest in taking jazz. Immediately her instructors noticed an innate ability and moved her into a more advanced group. She branched into hip hop. Skyla’s mom, Sena, pointed out if Skyla were serious about dancing, she must learn ballet as well.

The rest is history. Skyla began taking ballet and immediately knew that she wanted to pursue it further. She took classes at the Scarsdale Ballet Studio and supplemental lessons with renowned ballerinas trained directly by George Balanchine. (Balanchine is considered the Father of American Ballet). At age 10, she transitioned to The School of American Ballet in the city. One must audition for admission, and each year, each dancer must be asked to stay. The program is incredibly prestigious and was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Obama.

By 7th grade, Skyla could no longer continue her education within the Chappaqua schools due to her demanding training schedule. She enrolled in the Professional Children’s School in NYC. She practiced for three hours a day, had three hours of rehearsal and possibly another two hours of performing. Add about four hours of school, and Skyla had a very full schedule! Mom and Dad shared the driving responsibilities; 6:30am into the city and as late as 10pm home some nights.

When Skyla was 14, she began commuting on her own. At 16, she was boarding in the city. Each year, she was readmitted to The School of American Ballet–that alone is an impressive feat.  Out of the original class of 23 children, Skyla was the only dancer remaining by graduation. Throughout her years at The School of American Ballet, Skyla was performing in almost all of the NYC Ballet’s children’s roles, including the coveted lead role in Susan Stroman’s “Double Feature.”

There were literal and figurative costs along the way. The expense of training plus private school tuition was significant–but Skyla earned scholarships throughout her training.  Skyla’s demanding schedule didn’t leave much time for friends’ parties and socializing, but mom said of her daughter, “She didn’t feel like she had to sacrifice anything.  It was the cost of pursuing her dream.”

Few careers are without setback, and Skyla’s was no exception. In 11th grade she underwent major surgery for an injury exacerbated by dancing. Without surgery, her career would likely have been over. Skyla was required to take an extended break from dancing which only solidified her passion for ballet.  Sena said, “Never, ever did she have a question about wanting to pursue this.”

Upon graduation, Skyla accepted an offer to join the prestigious Boston Ballet. Sena uses a sports analogy when describing the odds of one being accepted into the Boston Ballet, saying “It’s kind of like making the NBA.”

Skyla is part of the Boston Ballet’s second company. The Boston Ballet describes it as one that “bridges the gap between a dancer’s formal training and their professional career.” She earns a salary, benefits and pointe shoes. A ballerina goes through two to three pairs of shoes each week at $90 each!

In August, Skyla participated in their “Night of Stars” on Boston Common in celebration of their 50th Season. The event was attended by approximately 55,000 people! She currently performs regularly with the main company.  Skyla is now a college student too. She recently enrolled part time in Northeastern University’s Boston Ballet Education Program.

Reminiscing with me about her family’s experience in helping launch Skyla’s career, Sena said, “The fact that she has been successful has made it all worth it.”

Heather Skolnick has been a New Castle resident for seven years with her husband and three young children.  After having failed miserably as a ballerina by age six, she now works for a retailer helping to define their Omnichannel strategy and process.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: ballet, Dance, performing

Amanda Kraus to Dance as Sugarplum Fairy

December 4, 2013 by The Inside Press

IMG_1799
Amanda Kraus

Amanda Kraus, a junior at Horace Greeley High School, will be dancing the coveted role of Sugarplum Fairy in the Greenwich Ballet Academy’s production of The Nutcracker, which in past years has been danced by Principal dancer Irina Dvorenko of American Ballet Theater.

“I am so honored to be given this opportunity–I really can’t believe it!” said Amanda. Amanda has danced in four different Nutcracker productions, in various roles, including ‘Polichinelle’ with the NYC Ballet, and ‘Clara’ with the SUNY Purchase Conservatory.

Amanda’s ballet training began at age 7, and at age 9, she was accepted into the School of American Ballet, where she danced every children’s role with the NYC Ballet. She danced competitively for four years at Westchester Dance Academy, winning a national title.

Greenwich Ballet Academy offers pre–professional training in Vaganova technique with small class sizes and Russian faculty.  Along with Amanda, first year GBA students,  Allison Chen, a 6th grader at Seven Bridges Middle School, will be dancing ‘Marzipan’, and 1st grader Meredith Lee will be a mouse.  The Nutcracker will take place December 7 and 8 in the Greenwich High School Auditorium.  Online ticket sales begin November 10. greenwichballetacademy.org

Filed Under: In and Around Town, Lifestyles with our Sponsors Tagged With: ballet, Dance, nutcracker, sugarplum fairy

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