Students Step Up to the Challenge of the Kimmel Center's First "Dance in the Schools Initiative" Performance
PHILADANCO's Apprentice Company D/2 Joins Local Students for a Dance Recital in Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater
May 17, 2005
After three months of rigorous training, fifty-two students from the Middle Years Alternative School and Parkway High School will put their talents to the test during a dance concert on Tuesday, May 31, at 7:30pm in the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater. Part of the Kimmel Center’s “Dance in the Schools Initiative” program, the performance will allow students to showcase their newly acquired skills on a professional concert stage, and work with D/2, the apprentice company for PHILADANCO, who will also perform. Free general admission tickets are limited to two per person, and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, by using the online ticket order form, or by calling 215-790-5896.
“Dance in the Schools Initiative” is a pilot-program created by the Kimmel Center Education Department and participating Philadelphia schools, in order to promote dance awareness among students. Beginning in February 2005, Kimmel Center teaching artist Zane Booker, teaching assistant Tiffany Calloway and rehearsal accompanist Marc Johnson have held Friday afternoon dance classes for interested students at 49th and Chestnut Streets, where both the Middle Years Alternative School and Parkway High School are located. The classes emphasized technique, terminology, and synchronization of movement, which provided the basis for the choreographed pieces to be performed during the May 31 recital.
D/2 is the apprentice company of the Philadelphia modern and contemporary Dance ensemble, PHILADANCO. The group is comprised of amateur dancers ages 16-28 who have expressed an interest in pursuing a professional career in dance. Through an extensive evaluation process, the members of D/2 are selected to be nurtured and given professional level classes, and performance opportunities.
D/2 performs approximately 25 apprentice company programs annually throughout the Philadelphia region, in addition to a series of performances with PHILADANCO. The repertoire includes works by Artistic Director, Donald Lunsford, II, aspiring choreographers in the ensemble, and retired pieces performed by PHILADANCO.
The Kimmel Center Education department offers programs designed for a variety of age groups to explore the performing arts including curriculum-based performing arts classes, the Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble, Adult Education Series, Teen Summer Arts Camp, student matinee concerts and subsidized tickets. Upcoming education events include the Educators Arts Fair on Wednesday, June 8 from 4- 6pm held in the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza.
Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music serve as home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theater Arts for Youth, PHILADANCO, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®. Kimmel Center, Inc.’s mission also includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming through its Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway at the Academy series of performances.
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