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Nutcracker Ballet All Jazz’d Up – For the past eight years, Charlene’s School of Dance has been taking Tchaikovsky’s classic “The Nutcracker” and literally jazzing it up a bit. “The Nutcracker Ballet All Jazz’d Up” has taken the timeless tale of Clara, Drosselmeyer, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mouse King, and Ballerina Doll, and turned it up a notch to match the talents of the dancers in jazz, reggae, rock, lyrical, and tap from the studio. This modern version has become a holiday happening enjoyed by many in our Mainline area. More than 120 dancers ranging from age three to 18 from Cambria, Blair, and Huntington Counties danced in the various roles. Charlene’s School turned into an upbeat, rockin, Christmas Spectacle. This years lead roles were:
Recital - The studio holds an annual dance recital every June at the Penn Cambria High School auditorium. Participation is voluntary, but is encouraged because it provides an excellent performance opportunity for young dancers.
National Cherry Blossom Festival (Washington, DC): Dancers from Charlene’s School of Dance in Cresson traveled to Washington, DC to take part in the 2007 National Cherry Blossom Parade. The girls were part of the All Star Tap Team made up of 400 dancers from around the United States. The girls along with their families and friends spent two days in the nation’s capital touring several sights. It is fast becoming a tradition at the school.
Workshops/Conventions - The studio’s company dancers attend several workshops or conventions per year, to keep on top of new dance treads and enhance their technique. The workshops give the dancers the opportunity to be taught by the top master teachers and choreographers in the country.
Alex Lieb and Natalie Myers - 2006 JUMP Convention award winners
Competitions - Competitions allow for extra performance opportunities and for critique from judges. It also gives the dancers a chance to travel to different cities throughout the country. Through participations in competitions, we hope to motivate both students and faculty by exposing them to the highest caliber of talent available. For us, competition is an education.
Idlewild Park Showcase of Stars – This will be the studio’s 11th year showcasing our talented students at Idlewild Park and Soak Zone in Ligonier, PA. All dancers from the school are invited to perform. This day is always packed with fun for the dancers and their families.
Altoona Curve Baseball Game Performance -The Charlene's School of Dance dancers were part of the pre-game entertainment at the Curve game. The studio is proud to participate in the Cresson Area Community Night at Blair County Ball Park. The students had a blast performing. Come out and join us for a fun night at the ballpark.
Festivals – The studio participates in several area festivals throughout the summer and fall. This gives the students extra enrichment opportunities and is great for the community to see the talent and hard work of the area children. Up-coming festivals – Sunday, Oct 7 at 1 p.m. Cresson Area Heritage Days.
Penn State Day of Dance – Held at the Penn State Altoona Campus. Our dancers join other dancers from the area for a day of master classes. It is a great way to end National Dance Week. Parent’s Night Out – A few times during the dance year, the student helper group gives dance parents a chance to have a night out on the town. Young students are invited to spend the evening at the studio. The student helpers offer a variety of fun activities to do during the evening.
Parents Observation Day / Mommy and Me – In order for the parents to observe the progress and development of the pupils, we will have visiting days. Also in the spring, the parents of the dancers are invited to come to class with their child and participate in learning their child's recital dance.
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Annual NYC Trip – Each November the studio organizes a bus trip to the Big Apple. All are welcome. The group spends two days in the city attending Broadway shows, sightseeing, shopping or taking dance class.
Halloween Parties – The week of Halloween, all younger classes are invited to dress up in their Halloween costumes to parade around the studio, play games, perform a Halloween dance and of course get treats.
Parents Group - The Charlene's School of Dance Parent’s Group helps with fundraising to offset company expenses as well as to promote camaraderie and team spirit. Participation is encouraged for all company families. Company parents not CSD run the parents group.
Super Jazz Sunday - On Sunday November 20, 2005 CSD welcomed master teacher Jeff Shade to the studio. More than 60 students attended the day long workshop with Jeff. Mentored by Bob Fosse, Jeff brings an authentic love and passion for dance to his classes, coaching and choreography. He danced in Fosse's Sweet Charity on Broadway, was dance captain for the Broadway and national tours of Chicago, and performed in the Broadway production of Teddy & Alice. He has been a guest on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" and "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," as well as performed on "The Tony Awards," "Miss America," "The Today Show," "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee," "Night of 100 Stars," "One Life to Live," HBO Christmas," etc. In February of 2005 Mr. Shade was named as one of Broadway's "Emerging" choreographers by the SSDC (Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers). An in May he choreographed a Japanese Television Special. He will soon choreograph for a dance company in Costa Rica, and then return to compose and choreograph an original contemporary jazz piece for Harvard University in January. Jeff's choreography has been commissioned by the Heinz Foundation, appeared off-Broadway in New York Moves and Watching My Hair Grow, and been seen in regional productions of Crazy For You and Chicago. From 2000 - 2002, Jeff served on the dance faculty of Harvard University (teaching jazz, theater dance, and choreography) and the musical theater faculty of the Boston Conservatory (teaching tap, directing and choreographing Chicago, and directing the Hoofers tap company). He holds a master's degree in dance therapy (psychotherapy through movement) from Lesley University and an MBA from Columbia University.
Dena Rizzo - Dena Rizzo, renowned hip hop dancer and choreographer has become one of America’s supreme names in the dance world. Dena worked with MTV, VH-1, as well as producing 4 of her own hip hop instructional videos. She is based out of New York City but travels all over the country teaching and educating students in hip hop and breakdancing. She is on the faculty of Showstoppers, Dance Makers and has worked with Darrin Henson’s Groove Tour just to name a few. She was featured dancer in the movie Black Knight with Martin Lawrence and has worked with Wade Robeson, Dave Scott, Brian Friedman, Geo Hubela, Paula Abdul and many other choreographers. Her work can be seen in music videos, commercials, theatre productions and was featured in Dance Spirit Magazine. Dena’s goal is to educate students in the true art form and culture of hip hop. Her high energy class will fuse together hip hop and breakdancing as well as the technique of a style she has created that is truly her own. Visit www.dancerizzo.com to learn more about Dena and updates on master classes.
Newspaper Articles
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