To the Pointe

Dec 2023

In this issue:

Artistic Director's Corner
End of the Year Campaign
Educational Outreach News
Paul Taylor Residence
Adult Program Updates
Enrichment Program Updates
Young Children's Workshops
Studio Calendar

The Artistic Director's Corner

This month I want to thank all of the parents, patrons, volunteers, faculty, and staff of BalletNova for bringing our 20^th Anniversary production of The Nutcracker to life. As I often mention, it takes a village to bring something of this scope to the community, and we could not have done this without your support.

Wishing all a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year!

Sincerely,

Matthew Powell

Artistic Director

End of the Year Campaign

BalletNova’s End of Year Fundraising Campaign is well underway with the goal of raising $20,000 in honor of 20 years of The Nutcracker. Thank you to the many donors who have already contributed to this campaign! This fundraising effort will ensure that BalletNova continues to bring high-quality performances and education for many years to come and will help fund elements such as guest artists, theatre rental, sets, backdrops and more. The support we receive from individual donors truly makes all these things possible. For more information, or to donate today, please visit here. We thank you for your support!

Educational Outreach News

BalletNova Conservatory Division dancers presented a “mini Nutcracker” performance at Elancé Assisted Living Community in Old Town Alexandria. Residents were delighted by selections from the Party Scene, Snow Scene, and Act II, with a history of the ballet explained prior to the performance. A question-and-answer session rounded out the presentation, allowing audience members to meet the dancers and discuss the ballet and dance in general. BalletNova is grateful to the staff and residents of Elancé for their hospitality and looks forward to performing there again in the future!

For more information about community outreach programs, please contact Elizabeth Spatz at espatz@balletnova.org.

Paul Taylor Announcement

BalletNova is honored to be welcoming Kristin Draucker of the Paul Taylor Dance Company for a week-long residency this February with a series of master classes for Conservatory Division and Adult students, as well as outreach classes in the community and more. Stay tuned for more information!

KRISTIN DRAUCKER was born in Washington D.C and grew up in York, Pennsylvania. She began her training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under Marcia Dale Weary. In 2005, she was awarded a Fellowship to study Horton and Graham at The Ailey School. Since moving to New York City she has danced with Michael Mao Dance, ArmitageGone!Dance, New Chamber Ballet, and at Bard’s Summerscape in Les Huguenots. In 2009, she joined the 50th Anniversary International Tour of West Side Story and, in 2010, performed in Tino Sehgal’s KISS at The Guggenheim Museum. Ms. Draucker began creating dances in 2014 and has shown her work in New York, and Philadelphia and as part of the LaMAMA Umbria Festival in Spoleto, Italy. She joined the Paul Taylor Dance Company in winter 2017.

Adult Program Updates

Walk-in Week is Back!

Celebrate the 15 teachers in our Adult Program with $15 classes Dec 26-30.

$15 class passes available for purchase Dec 26-30. If registering at the studio, please be sure to arrive a few minutes early. Existing passes will be debited at their original face value (e.g., $17.50 for a class pass from a 10-class pass).

Adult Workshops

These 4-week workshops are the perfect opportunity to try something new!

Beginning Tap (Level 1)

No experience necessary

Mondays 10:30-11:30 am

Jan 8-29

Beginning Modern

No experience necessary

Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 pm

Jan 9-30

Beginning Tap (Level 2)

Level 1 workshop or some prior experience

Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 pm

Jan 10-31

Each workshop is $80; participants must register for the entire series. Workshop registration is separate from registration for open classes. Contact info@balletnova.org with questions.

Registration open now.

All items in the Lost and Found will be donated at end of the year.

Please pick up by December 28.

Starting January 1, items will be kept in the Lost and Found for 6 weeks prior to being donated.

Enrichment Program

Winter Break.

Classes in our Enrichment Program are on break until the new year. Classes resume on their regular schedule Tuesday, January 2.

Parent Observation Week January 22-28.

During Parent Observation Week parents may attend the last 15 minutes of their child's regularly scheduled class. This is a great opportunity to see what your child has been doing in class!

End of Fall Session.

The current session runs through January 28.

Spring Open House January 20.

Join us for free dance classes at our spring open house! Bring a friend!

1:00-1:30 Discovering Dance (ages 3-4)

1:30-2:00 Pre-Ballet (ages 5-6)

2:00-2:30 Basic Ballet (ages 7-10)

2:30-3:00 Youth Tap (ages 7-12)

3:00-3:30 Teen Ballet (ages 12-17)

3:30-4:00 Teen Jazz (ages 12-17)

No pre-registration required.

Spring Registration is open now!

Young Children's Workshops

These 4-week workshops include a mix of dance, stories, and crafts and a performance on the last day. Dancers may wear whatever they want as long as it is comfortable to move in - no special attire required!

Wish (Jan 7, 14, 21, 28)
Wonka (Feb 4, 11, 18, 25)
Shrek (Mar 3, 10, 17, 24)
Suessical (Apr 7, 14, 21, 28)

Sundays

Noon - 1 (ages 4-6)

1 - 2 pm (ages 5-7)

$125

Upcoming Events

Dec 18 - Jan 2	Winter Break - no Enrichment or Pre-Professional classes
Jan 13	Auditions for Spring Show (Conservatory Division Dancers only)
Jan 22-28	Enrichment Program: Parent Observation
Jan 28	END: Fall Session
Jan 29	START: Spring Session
Mar 25-31	Spring Break - no enrichment or preprofessional classes
May 27	CLOSED: Memorial Day
Apr 20	Roaring 20s Gala
Date TBD	Spring Show
Jun 8	Youth and Teen Performance
Jun 15	Pre-Professional Technical Demonstration
Dates TBD	Parent Observation
Jun 16	END: Spring and Academic Sessions
Date TBD	Friday Night at the Barre - Adult Showcase

Have a question about whether the studio is open? Check out the Studio Calendar.

This project was supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

This program is funded in part by ArtsFairfax.