Holiday Ballet Class Updates
*** EXPERIENCE THE EDUCATION ***
PLEASE NOTE: HOLIDAY SCHEDULE for the week of January 21- 27th at Ailey Extension
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 21ST
YES WE HAVE three ballet CLASSES:
* 10:30 Beginners Class
* 12 noon pointe
* AND our always very special 3PM Holiday Ballet Class for all.
Come join us for the Martin Luther King Jr. Ballet Adagio of the week: "I Have a Dream", the long pirouette combo, stretch o' the month and all the nonviolent ballet festivities of this special celebration.
Also PLEASE NOTE--Wednesday, January 23RD AND Friday, January 25: The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company is in town one week only and needs morning space, so:
* Morning Class will be BALLET BARRE ONLY 10:30 TO 11:30 At a very special ballet barre rate of $12.
* No pointe class on these two days only!!
* Evening Ballet classes remain at the same 6pm and 7:30pm times.
Ballet classes resume Our regular schedule: Saturday JANUARY 26
* 4:30- 6:pm open all levels
* 6:15 pointe
ONGOING CLASS UPDATES
Kat's regular teaching schedule is here. Bookmark it so you don't forget. Click here to download a printable Ailey Extension Schedule!
All classes are held on a drop-in basis. Class includes the ballet barre, center work, stretching and across the floor ballet combinations, intermixed with performance tips and personal adjustments, corrections and coaching.
Join us now! KAT'S class updates at The Alvin Ailey School, the Largest dance facility in the country!! "Majestic" studios in the "Glass Palace" specifically designed for dancers, sprung floors, state-of-the-art acoustics and climate controlled.Classroom Confidential: TMI and Honorable Mentions
Gael S., the evil librarian, in New York Magazine: "Approval Matrix" -- scary! lol!!...Peruse some of the works David M. here, where he has created ,presentations, performances, etc. And don't forget to leave a comment there at his new site....Also check out this fab photography site, yes Sophia R.--if you need new headshots for the new year, talk with Sophia before or after class, she'll arrange a session...Coco #1 got a great part in the "Miss Saigon" production that Vic DiMonda is choreographing for Virginia Musical Theater! Production Dates: Jan 28 - Feb 17, 2008, and then directly to The Carousel Theatre for The King and I. Congrats Coco you are on your way, wooo hoooo!...Elena V, has made it to the semi-final rounds of "So you think you can dance, Greece" congrats! Thank you all for participating and behaving so eloquently during the class filming Monday January 7th, except Curtis E. who misbehaved on international TV and lost his teacher's pet status...Rebecca D. arrrrg Unfortunately was doing gymnastics and tore her ACL-I'm tellin your mom. She'll be outta class for the next three months, arrrgh...What is Todd H. doing this month???? a stunt role on the film remake of the old TV show "Land of the Lost"!!!! It's 10-12 weeks of work, though not continuous, probably runs between early march and late june. Will Ferrell plays the lead (marshall) and Todd will be a sleestack (tall, green, villain creature who doesn't do much other than creep around looking scary). Oh, Todd, you look so handsome in green....lol! Happy Birthday Sharon S. who has been celebrating 50 for a while now!!!...Octavio our Italian guy leaves soon to go home..we'll miss him and his dance outfits...Zumba is a "feel-happy" workout that is great for both the body and the mind, says Ben Byrd our Zumba guy. Check it out now on the Ailey Extention schedule....Denise C. and Motor City Productions are producing a huge Tap Fest in June. Call 917 687-4811 or motorcitytapfest@gmail.comfor more info...Dance Etiquette Tips by Erik Novoa (welcome back from Costa Rica)here, thanks for the reminders!!!...Alec Baldwin (a.k.a. Andrea) is back from Itally with yummy creamy Lemon Cello!!!!...Greg O. submits that Mr Spock- Leonard Nimoy has an interesting eye for dance: check this out...Royce's choreography on youtube, Presented by the New York International Choreographers Festival 2007. Dancers include Christopher DiBiase (a.k.a Jimmy Bear).
Kat continues to cross train with Tony the Trainer @ Circular Power, in gyrotonics several times per week to stay in top form and bring to you and your ballet classes a much broader perspective on anatomy and physical training.
Andros on ballet: Mr A a dear friend, teacher and mentor to Kat for over 20++ years now. The Best of the Androisms Weekly Tips: Pointe, Health and Shopping
Health:
*Stretch-o-da-Month: Always check for this stretch in the first newsletter of the month. To check archives click here.
*Hints from David Howard on Hyperextension
Shopping Deals:
* One of DRA'S current sponsors. Yumiko Dancewear opened their first store in New York at 451 West 46 between 9th and 10th Avenues...You can go to www.yumiko-online.com and check it out for more information. Many of the top dancers around the world wear her clothes. Look great for your dance classes!
* Ballet Gifts Danny's Warehouse this month.
* Chorus Line Discount: See Broadway's celebrated revival of dancers' favorite musical for nearly half off! Use code "CLDSM79" when you order tickets through Telecharge, and pay only $59 for orchestra seats, $49 for mezzanine, Tues- Thurs. And with this offer, weekend shows cost only $69 and $59! Valid through March 16th. Kat's Weekly Mailbag
Hi Kat,
Beginning January 22, 2008, I have fixed the pointe card issues. Yeah!!! Here is how it works: Anyone who purchases a point card may only use that card for point classes People can still pay for their pointe class with a regular card. I have tested it on my own account and it seems to work. Thanks for your patience. Yvette L. Campbell, Director, The Ailey Extension.
Kat, I love your newsletter. It keeps me in touch when I'm out of town. You are an inspiring and informative teacher of adults and I've learned a lot in your classes, despite only taking a few per month whenever I'm in town. I just started ballet 3 years ago and I'm not very good, and at 46 will never be any good, but it doesn't seem to matter, as I'm hooked, and I take as many classes as possible (I'm a bit nuts about it, actually). Thanks for all your interesting combinations, tips and corrections, and most of all inspiration for adult dancers - I'm too shy to tell you this in person. Thanks again, A.
Dear Kat...
Thank you, Thank you! For going along with the production of "So You Think You Can Dance Greece". I was a nervous wreck for the entire class. Thank you for not yelling at me so much!! The crew left Ailey feeling inspired, as some of them have never been to New York City and have never experienced a ballet class up close and so personal before! They were more than impressed! They loved the way you taught the class and we're blown away by the repertoire and the way you demonstrated the exercises! I want to also extend a huge "thank you" to all your students for being so gracious, as well as supportive. Hugs! Elena V.. And Finally...
Re've'rence:
Cuban ballet master and choreographer Alonso dies at 90
Ernestine Stodelle, dies at 95. She had a multifaceted career in modern dance as a performer, author and teacher.
Marie-Jeanne, a Balanchine Ballerina, Dies at 87. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Casting Call: Hot Auditions and Gigs Here
Armitage Gone! Dance Company is seeking full-time company members. Karole Armitage, choreo. Seeking—Dancers: male and female, 18-29, professional-level mastery of both ballet and modern dance techniques required, must be musical, creative, and adventuresome, should be at ease developing new dance language derived form both ballet and modern. Auditions will be held by appt. only Jan. 25-27. To schedule an appt., call (212) 966-1001 or (212) 925-5641 on Jan. 16 & 17. Friday, February 1 from 12-4pm New York City Center (Studio #5), 130 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019
CityDance Ensemble seeks modern dancers ages 18 and up. Strong modern and ballet techniques are required, plus a minimum of two years professional experience. Dancers will be hired for a minimum contract of 35 weeks and must be available to rehearse Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 5pm. Salary commensurate with experience. For the audition, prepare a short (3-minute maximum) solo and bring head shot and resume. Please do not mail. With questions, contact Christopher K. Morgan, CityDance Rehearsal Director, at christopher@citydance.net or 202.347.3909.
Sacramento Ballet will be auditioning female and male dancers for the 2008-09 season March 30th in NYC at City Center Studios. California dancers, contact Jack Hansen, at jhansen@sacballet.org, to be included in a local audition.
Academy Awards stars Pilobolus Dance Theatre will audition dancers in NYC on February 19th and 20th
Yumiko is hiring! for the NY STORE: We are reviewing responsible, committed, and highly energetic professionals with a developed sense of contemporary fashion and hip hop style. Candidates with luxury sales experience, dance knowledge, and a strong customer service attitude preferred. Please email resumes to stephen@yumiko-world.com. Only qualified applicants will be notified.
New York City Production listings.
Luna Negra Dance Theater. Chicago-based Luna Negra Dance Theater, a contemporary dance company, is looking for male and female dancers for a 32-week international tour beginning this summer. The audition is Jan. 30 at 1:00 pm at NYC's Ailey Studios, 405 West 55th Street. Bring your resumé and headshot and RSVP (it's required) to Vanessa Valecillos at vanessa@lunanegra.org. For more information about Luna Negra, click here.
"So You Think You Can Dance". If you tune in every season and think you've got what it takes, now's your chance to be on America's favorite dance show. The first audition is set for Jan. 17 in Dallas, TX, and auditions continue through April in Charleston, SC, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Milwaukee, WI, and Salt Lake City, UT. Check fox.com/dance for times and locations.World News: Dance Across the Globe
88-year-old ballet star...A young ballerina learns to use her height to artistic advantage...A Sampler of Nuggets From Abstract to Playful: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater...Ballet, is it for children? For Men Only: Special Roundup
* Wil Orrock: It was his love of bicycles and motorcycles that got former Carson Valley resident Wil Orrock interested in ballet and eventually landed him on a "Dancing with the Stars" show in Santiago, Chile. Dancing and learning with the stars
* A tribute to Freddie Franklin by Joan Acocella: Frederic Franklin, born in 1914, is certainly the oldest ballet dancer still performing. New York Times on Franklin here.
* 'An epoch in ballet' By Sid Smith. An intimate look at the complex life and character of Rudolf Nureyev
* Baryshnikov Does Beckett.
* Chunky Moves is the name of a reallly cool dance company and they are dancing in a digital world. Choreographer Gideon Obarzanek is pushing the boundaries with his latest production, Mortal Engine, premiering at the Sydney Festival next week. Ballerina of the Month: Diana Vishneva
Read all about this ballerina, and all future "Ballerina of the Months" once a month. Go here to check our recent archived story on Vishneva, or here for all archives. Performance Corner: Catch Your Fellow Students and More
*Don't forget Tickets for FEB 21-24TH Diana Vishneva Beauty in Motion are available at the New York City Center Box Office (West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues), through CityTix® at 212-581-1212, or ticket purchases online here
* April 30-May 8 at The Joyce Theater "The Ailey II dancers can jump improbably high and land improbably softly, pour their bodies like cream into backbends and lifts, ripple their torsos and turn like tops." - The New York Times. Tickets are now on sale! call (212) 242-0800.
*Tysan D. submits for us a Special Art Outreach Program discount for Chinese New Year Splendor @ Radio City on 1/30 and 1/31 7:30 pm. Only $15 or $20 call 1 800 880-7906 for this very special offer!!
* If you have performance info you wanna share with your fellow classmates, please send it to kat_wildish@yahoo.com. Fun Stuff: Take a Break and Enjoy...PLUS Photos
* Book: Ballerina Dreams.
* Suzanne Farrell Ballet slideshow
* Behind-the-scenes with Kathryn Morgan NYCB
THIS MONTH IN DANCE HISTORY: see all this month's history in the first newsletter of each month. And to check archives, click here.
Ballet terms: Daily Routines With Ronde de Jambe A Terre.
KAT'S CLASS PICTURES ETC. SLOWLY TRING TO ADD FUN PICTURES MANY HAVE BEEN ASKING ABOUT be sure to scroll down: here, here, here, and here.
What's New In 2008
*ATTENTION*: Friday Night Pas de Deux (PDD) club members rehearsals are in full swing for our showcase performance February 24, Sunday, 5pm, --at the Ailey Studio's #5B. Don't miss these rehearsals so we can set and run the big group pieces, pas & solos.
February 17- 21 Kat will be attending The ABT Alumni Teacher Training Intensive. Subs TBA!
In March look for our New Adult Student Workshop, three months of Rehearsals each Monday night for an hour, under the watchful eye of Royce Zackary, culminating in the Showcase Performance early June. Cost aprox $75.
Also in March, 6-16, Kat & Arthur escape to sunny Ft. Lauderdale, Floridato play, read, relax and eat key lime pie at the Florida Fish House. Subs TBA!
June 2 thru 20th will begin the MAKE YOUR OWN INTENSIVE, you be able to dance all day in a schedule you personally design.
Also in June: Vladamir and Kat will again bring back the Sunday classes for 8 weeks only. Watch here for more details coming soon on all these and more exciting class events. | | |
