Footnotes Tap Ensemble, a non-profit professional tap company, was founded by Robin Vail and Mimi Benjamin in 2002. The Ensemble’s mission is to promote, educate and perform this truly unique American dance art through annual Ensemble Concerts, Community Concerts and Tap Workshops. The Ensemble continues to gain recognition throughout the Triangle and the tap community for its varied and highly acclaimed repertoire and affordable workshops teaching “classic tap.” Footnotes has commissioned works from Michelle Dorrance, Josh Hilberman, Robert Perera, Dorothy Wasserman, Lane Alexander and Gene Medler, Director of the highly acclaimed North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE). See our website for further information: www.footnotestapensemble.org

	We had so much fun celebrating our 5th Anniversary with all of the princesses who attended Craft Day! Don't forget to wear your crown next time you come to visit us!

Elevate dancers performed Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at a wedding reception at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary as a surprise to the bride and groom and all of their guests. Dancers were directed and costumed by Amy Bates and Valerie Curran, make-up provided by Releve, dj was Joe Bunn. Dancers were Jade Enns, Jessica Judd, Cassie Adcock, Joshua Wess, Bernadine Fields, Bradley LaGois, and Danielle Bronson. Photo by Evoke Photography.

ELEVATE is a Raleigh-based performance and promotions company that provides talent and entertainment for social, corporate, and special events as well as choreography and classes to dance teams and individuals. We only work with trained and experienced dancers that can provide innovative performances. Owners, Amy Bates and Valerie Curran, have over 15 years experience in performing, choreographing and directing.

Contact Valerie to hire dancers for your next event!
www.elevatenc.com  
valerie@elevatenc.com  

Graceful Expressions Opens New Studio

Graceful Expressions Dance Education is excited to announce the grand opening of our new location in downtown Cary. Professional instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, worship dance, and preschool dance classes will now be available at 312 W. Chatham Street in the Chocolate Smiles Village.

Our new location features two studios with fully sprung dance floors, abundant natural light, indoor and outdoor waiting areas for parents, and ample parking. Come visit us at an Open House on Saturday, September 4th from 2-5pm or call 272-2576 for more information!

Our new facility provides us with more opportunities to extend our commitment to excellence in dance education. “What we’re doing at Graceful Expressions is really a break from the mold,” says Director April Schweitzer. “We understand that every student in a ballet class will not become a professional dancer, but rather than dismiss those who won’t, we expose all of our students to high standards of technical excellence in a warm and caring way. We want to grow beautiful dancers, but more importantly, we want young people to be impacted by the lessons learned in dance class -- lessons of grace, discipline, and perseverance. It can take years to master a pirouette, but it’s that process of trying again and again that refines both the dancer and her character.”

April’s background as a school teacher, combined with her extensive dance training, has enabled her to develop a curriculum and focus for the school that is tuned in to the needs of young learners. As a young dancer with the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, April worked with choreographers from American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, and regional modern dance companies. She was a featured dancer at the International Children’s Festival in Taiwan in 1992, and she received merit scholarships for summer study at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Boston Ballet. As a teacher, April has continued her training with dance legends David Howard, Jacques d’Amboise and Finis Jhung. April is joined by a staff of teachers who are truly exceptional in both their extensive dance resumes and in their level of commitment and care for their students.

Registration for our 2010-2011 school year is available through our website: www.gracefuldance.com. Please call 272-2576 or email info@gracefuldance.com with any questions.

Cary Welcomes International Ballet Academy

Beginning in August of 2010, the International Ballet Academy (IBA) will open its doors and dancers in the Triangle area will have the unique opportunity to train under the artistic direction of Miguel Campaneria and Rossana Nesta Gahagan. (formerly Machi). Both Mr. Campaneria and Ms. Gahagan have had impressive careers as performers, teachers, artistic directors, and as choreographers. Mr. Campaneria was born in Cuba and trained under Alicia Alonso. He was a soloist with the National Ballet of Cuba. Upon moving to the United States, he perfomed with Les Grands Ballet Canadients, Pennsylvania Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and the Harkness Ballet. Mr. Campaneria was principal dancer with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and with Ballets de San Juan. He served as Artistic Director for the R.M.T. Academie de Danse in Haiti and for Balleteatro Nacional de Puerto Rico. Mr. Campaneria was nominated by President Bush to serve on the National Council on the Arts, the advisory body of the National Endowment for the Arts. He was confirmed by the Senate and will serve on the Council until 2012. Prior to moving to Cary, Mr. Campaneria was Chair of the Dance Department for the University of Hartford.

Ms. Gahagan comes to Cary by way of Italy where she attended the Accademie Nazionale di Danza, Roma and earned her BA in Vaganova Ballet Tecnique. She performed with nationally renowned companies such as Teatro dell’Opera and the Company of Balleto di Roma. Ms. Gahagan started her teaching career at the School of Balleto di Roma. After moving to the United States, she taught at the Western Ballet School in Mountain View, California. She then joined the faculty of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) where she taught ballet technique, pointe, repertoire, men’s classes, and pilates. During her time at PBT she taught classes at Point Park University, Allegheny Ballet Company and later became a Partner at the School of American Ballet in New York. For the past 6 years Ms. Gahagan joined a local ballet school and built the Intensive Summer Program and was Ballet Mistress. She was able to obtain a license from the Balanchine Trust allowing students to perform several Balanchine pieces in 2008 and 2009. Ms. Gahagan returned to the stage in 2009 when Robert Weiss, Director of Carolina Ballet invited her to perform in his 2009 productions of Swan Lake and Picasso’s Salome. She has been invited to serve on the guest faculty for the 2010 Saratoga Summer Dance Intensive.

Combining their over 50 years of experience in the professional dance world, Mr. Campaneria and Ms. Gahagan have designed a curriculum to provide dancers with all the necessary tools and knowledge for success. International Ballet Academy will offer classes beginning with creative movement at age 3 1/2 to pre-professional levels. At the pre-professional level partnering, variations, pilates, and men’s classes will be offered in addition to the technique and pointe. Moreover a jazz program is offered as well as yoga.

Dancers at IBA will be exposed to other world renowned teachers and choreographers including such talents as Roberto Munoz, Melinda Roy, and Sandra Balestracci. Throughout the year, select dancers will have the opportunity to participate in the Youth American Grand Prix and the World Ballet Competition. IBA will also be home to the International Ballet Company, a pre-professional company featuring dancers ages 10-18.

International Ballet Academy is located at 201 Davis Grove Circle in Cary, directly across from Davis Elementary and Davis Middle Schools. Early Fall Registration will take place on Thursday, June 24th from 4pm to 8pm and on Saturday, June 26th from 10am to 1 pm. More registration dates will be announced. Class sizes are limited so register early. For more information, please visit www.ibacary.com, email at office@ibacary.com, or call (919) 749-4141.

Ballroom dance has come to Clayton. Dance, Performance & Modeling Studios (DPM Studios) is a new, exciting dance studio opening this week at 468 E. Second Street in downtown Clayton. The studio will feature classes for ballroom, salsa and swing dancing. Additional classes include country western, line dancing and group fitness. Customized dance classes can be scheduled at your request.

“We love to introduce beginners to the fun, health and social benefits of dancing,” said DPM Studio owner, Raquel Williams. She has over 10 years of dance experience with partner dancing. She has 13 years of foundational background and education in ballet, tap and jazz. She also has extensive experience in instruction and choreography of individual, couples, large groups and youth dance instruction. Additionally, she has competed in several professional dance competitions in swing, country western, hustle and American and International rhythm.

“Clayton is developing as a community for the arts and DPM Studio fits right in with a different niche,” said Clayton Downtown Development Coordinator, Bruce Naegelen. When Ms. Williams was contemplating locations, she met with Mr. Naegelen who suggested the location on E Second Street. “Turns out it was the perfect location,” she said. The DPM facility has a 1600 square foot dance floor and a full kitchen for special events and receptions.

DPM Studio will host a social dance every Friday from 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm. “These social dances will give the general public the opportunity to experience the fun of dancing and gives the students an opportunity to practice what they have learned in their group and private lessons each week,” said Ms. Williams. She added, “It’s a great opportunity to meet people who share a common love for dance.” The first visit to the social dance is free, and includes a free dance lesson from 8-8:30.

DPM’s staff is focused on ensuring fun, easy to understand instruction to all ages and levels of experience who wish to learn how to dance. The DPM Studio’s mission is to provide safe, fun instruction and to promote health, fitness and self improvement through dance.

You can contact Ms. Williams at info@dpmstudios.com, 919-655-5346 and visit their website at www.dpmstudios.com

The Cary Arthur Murray Dance Studio is a leader in Ballroom Dance Instruction for the Triangle area and specializes in teaching students to feel comfortable on any dance floor and with any dance partner. We offer convenient times and enrollments that allow you to take lessons at your leisure.

The Cary Arthur Murray instructors are specially trained and certified and can put you in touch with today’s most popular dances to make you a comfortable social dancer or a competitive hobby dancer. The choice is yours and we’ll help you achieve any dance goal through our personalized teaching methods. We provide private instruction, group classes, and practice parties to help build social ease all while having a ton of fun. Over 40 million people have enhanced their social life by learning to dance quickly and easily the Arthur Murray Way! We are also pleased to offer Zumba fitness group classes and private fitness instruction at the studio.

Come on. Join the fun! Call for your complimentary lesson today and receive 30% off your first enrollment. Learn to Dance like a Star at the Cary Arthur Murray where teaching the world to dance is our business, one step at a time.

Cary Arthur Murray
Saltbox Village
1263 Kildaire Farm Road
Cary, NC 27511

Voice- 919-380-7880
Fax- 919-380-7180
Toll Free- 888-NCWALTZ

www.caryarthurmurray.com

L.A. Dance is located in Superior Gymnastics in Morrisville.  They offer a variety of classes year round for all ages. L.A. Dance is a Recital and Competitive Studio.    Please contact LuGina Amato for more information at 919-819-8330 or visit their website at http://la-dance.webs.com