Couple Starting Nonprofit Troupe

The Sun Sentinel printed an article on April 10, 2011 stating that in Wellington two local dancers are starting a dance studio for those who can't afford to go to dance classes. Rocky and Dorie Duvall are both classically trained dancers who have spent much of their lives dancing. In 2004, they opened the Dance Arts Conservatory in Wellington.


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They have a very diverse staff, including a teacher who taught one of my dance classes at Florida Atlantic University, filling in for Mr. Clarence Brooks. He was such an amazing teacher and I learned so much from him! It was such an honor to have such an amazing man who trained under Marie Hale at Ballet Florida, which is now closed, and toured with Klien Dance, another amazing studio which is no longer in business in Lake Worth.

If you would like to take classes at the studio their schedule is located on the website.

The mission of their new nonprofit troupe is, "The Wellington Ballet Theatre is a pre-professional dance company and Not-For-Profit charitable organization dedicated to providing the highest standards of classical training, dance education and performance to the South Florida area. Wellington Ballet Theater seeks to build self-esteem and professionalism in its dancers as well as to promote a deep appreciation of dance arts throughout the community. Their mission is to be an example of excellence for dancer development, providing intensive artistic and ballet experience in preparation for student’s entrance into professional ballet careers."

If you would like to support this wonderful organization you'll have different benifits such as:

$50-$149 Apprentice

• Acknowledgement in season program

• Subscription to WBT Company Newsletter

$150-$299 Corps de Ballet

• All of the above, plus:

• 2 Tickets to performance of choice

• Advanced announcement of WBT Ballet Company performances

$300-$499 Soloist

• All of the above, plus:

• Season tickets for one

$500-$999 Principle’s Circle

• All of the above, plus:

• Additional season ticket (for a total of 2)

• WBT Ballet Company e-mail updates throughout the year

• Invitation for two guests to observe scheduled WBT Company rehearsal
  

$1,000-$2,499 Prima Ballerina’s Circle

• All of the above, plus:

• Additional season ticket (for a total of 3)

• 2 Additional complimentary tickets to performance of choice

• Admission to final dress rehearsal of WBT performances

• Invitation to cast party and receptions following WBT performances

$2,500-$7,999 Director’s Circle

• All of the above, plus:

• Additional season ticket (for a total of 4)

• Named sponsorship at each WBT event (verbally before performances)

• Invitation to biannual luncheon with WBT directors and board members

$8,000 & Above Benefactor

• All of the above, plus:

• Additional season tickets (for a total of 5)

• Add in season programs

• Logo advertisement on WBT posters

"We want to create an enviornment that dancers can perform without breaking the bank and without difficulty," Dorie Duvall told the Sun Sentinel.

Please if you are willing to support those who can't find a way to fit into the arts please support this local dance company in their efforts to start a nonprofit troupe

Cirque du Soleil : La Nouba

For those of you who live in Orlando or are planning on visiting Orlando, you should take a trip to Downtown Disney and check out the best show they have to offer! Cirque du Soleil: Nouba has go to be the best show I've seen by far! I got the tickets as a Christmas present two years ago and have been dying to go back ever since! This show has everything you could want in it, ballet dancers, a juggler (which was featured on the Ellen Degeneres show), high wire, diablos (which are little Asian girls playing with yoyos, as they call them, throwing them in the air, an amazing sight), bike riders (boy were they crazy, they were jumping over people, on stairs, wow something I would be caught dead before trying), arial ballet, etc.

The tickets however are very expensive, but it really is worth every penny, my boyfriend, who isn't a huge dance fan and was kind of dragging his feet to see this show, was even impressed by everything these artists could do.

Doing what they do takes a lot of skill and practice, so if you don't have respect for these performers than well, you're crazy!

According to the website, "A door opens and two worlds collide. Enter the attic of make-believe, where the mundane meets the marvellous. Dreams and nightmares intertwine. La Nouba which calls on both individual and collective memory, is an unforgettable journey into a world at once threatening and exhilarating, frightening and familiar. La Nouba beckons to us, challenges us to uncover passions we thought we had lost long ago; to frolic in our childhood dreams and enter a place where the extraordinary transforms and overcomes the ordinary. La Nouba is the meeting of two worlds poles apart: the fantastic world of the circus artists–the Cirques (circus people), sporting bright, fluorescent colours–and that of the Urbains (urbanites), who wear dark, monochromatic outfits. When these two worlds first make contact, the magic and amazing feats of the one set fire to the pale mundanity of the other."

If you read the reviews that audience members have given you will see that my boyfriend and I weren't the only ones impressed with the show!

Cirque du Soleil : Alegria

For those of you readers who aren't into sitting through a 2 plus hour long ballet show but still love to watch dancing, then I have something that intrigue you. Cirque Du Soleil is a mixture of dance and circus! I haven't yet had the chance to Alegria that will be arriving at the Bank Atlantic Center starting July 20, but I was giving the pleasure of seeing another Cirque performance! For those of you who have never heard of Cirque, then you really should go check it out, you will be on the edge of your seat the whole show! Tickets prices start out from $110.25 after taxes and go as low as $48.50 after taxes!

Attitude Dancewear

For those dancers who live in Coral Springs, Attitude Dancewear owned by Carlos is the best place to buy your dance needs! He is very personal and will answer any and all questions that you may have! I have known Carlos now for about 7 years and every time I go in there, even if it's just to say hey he has always been helpful and personal. This dance shop is different from Shape Shop, which I wrote about in my last blog because they have certain point shoes that the other one doesn't carry. Plus Carlos has a great relationship with the dance studios in that area, such as Magda's and International Ballet Academy.


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This plaza is located next to a movie theater and office depot among others! So why not get your shopping and movie going out of the way at the same time! So if you're willing to make the trip down, I know Carlos will make it the best trip for you! And if you're worried about the distance don't be because this dancewear shop is the best out there!

Shape Shop

For those of you dancers, joggers, yoga buff and work out junkies living in Boca Raton boy do I have the place for you. Shape Shop located just west of the Turnpike has all your needs! From praise dance outfits to point shoes they have you covered. This locally owned dance studio, which used to be located just south of Glades Road on the Turnpike, has the best offers in Boca. All dance wear is 10% off and workout is 20%. Plus personally knowing the owner this is the best service you can get! I grew up going to Shape Shop for all my dancing needs and I have always had quick and attentive service, and they were also personal with me. Right when I walked in the door I was greeted, "Hello Jenna, how are you today?" I would answer right back, "Hello [employees name], I'm fine and you?" Of course all the employees I knew are now gone and have families of their own, but the staff they have now is just as friendly as before! So put down your mouse, jump in your car and head down to Shape Shop for all of your dance and workout needs!


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Not only does it have everything you need for dance, but Jewels dance is right next door, along with a gym, shoe outlet store, home goods, plus plenty of yummy restaurants!

Enjoy!

Other studios

If hardcore, strict ballet teaching isn't your style, then there are other studios out there for you, especially in Boca Raton.

The first studio is one that has many memories for me! When I moved to Boca when I was four I had to find a new studio in order to continue my love for dancing. My mom stumbled upon Dance Academy of Boca Raton. When I attended here it was run by Ms. Shirly, however several years ago it was bought by someone else. This dance school has some interesting history within Boca Raton. It was established in 1963 and is the oldest dance school in Boca. They are currently accepting applications for fall registration. Call (561) 395-4797

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The second dance studio is Jewles Dance. This company is where I got my start, at least for a year, in competition dance. This studio wasn't one of my favorites due to the fact that with my extensive training I felt like I wasn't going anywhere. This studio is a good starting place for those who want to learn to dance and don't want to make it their life. One good thing I did see on their website was that Billy Bell from So You Think You Can Dance and a friend of mine from Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts is a guest teacher there! I'm trying to get more information on when he will be back to teach a class. Once I obtain that information, I'll get it to you!

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Another studio in Boca that I'm not too familiar with is Mrs. P's Dance & Acrobatic. I do know that they are dance studio who competes are local compeitions, other than that the website has been helpful in telling me more about this studio.

This studio is different from the rest because they don't offer juts ballet. They offer:

• Ballet
• Pointe
• Jazz
• Tap
• Acrobatics
• Hip Hop
• Musical Theater
• Lyrical
• Voice
• Modern

As a dancer I don't know why a dance studio would offer voice lessons because you NEVER use your voice in dance, but okay then!

This dance studio, like all the others, has a dress code, but this dress code is something I have never seen. For jazz and tap you are only allowed to wear tan shoes. That seems strange to me. I guess if I were to go back to dancing, this studio wouldn't be the one for me.


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Best dance school in Fort Lauderdale

Magda Aunon School of Classical Ballet in Florida Lauderdale was one of the best experiences with dance that I have ever had. Granted it is also the place where my horrible injury happened when I was 12, but that's another story. I attended Magda's for four years and spent those years learning point and perfecting my technique.


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This school is hard to find, but once you do and take a class you will never want to leave.

Magda is an old school ballet teacher, but what she does really works. She kicks your butt and makes you work hard, but in the end you will love her for it.

At least when I was there the studio had no air conditioning, I don't know if it's the same today, but she does open the garage door so air gets let in.

Beg. for adults are Tuesday from 7P.M. to 8P.M.

I'm actually thinking of taking this class again, just so I could maybe get back into ballet! So hopefully if I come out, I'll see you guys there!