June 21, 2010

Ballet Academy of Texas to start Professional Preparatory Program 

COPPELL, TEXAS –

The Ballet Academy of Texas in Coppell is pleased to announce that in September, 2010, a daytime Professional Preparatory program will begin for the home-schooled or high school graduate who is training for a career in Ballet.  The program will consist of 3 hours of intense training in ballet, pas de deux, mens’ class, pointe and variations, and is scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays mornings.    It will be taught by Ballet Academy of Texas Director Lisa Slagle, and new staff member Clarence McDorman.  Besides both of their professional dance experience, Mr. McDorman has just completed his Masters’ Degree from NYU in American Ballet Theatre’s Ballet Pedagogy, and Ms. Slagle is on the Advisory Board for American Ballet Theatre’s Teacher Training Curriculum.

Professional Ballet Dancer Preparatory Program

May 10^th, 2010

Lewisville Dancer wins first “Dallas Dance Off” Competition

COPPELL, TEXAS –

Brittney Dito, 16, of Lewisville, was the recent winner of the 1^st Annual “Dallas Dance Off”, which brought together many young aspiring professional dancers from all over the metroplex performing in different genres of dance.  They were judged by 3 dance professionals from the area, including Charles Santos, director of TITAS. The competition was held at the historic Lakewood Theatre in Lakewood. Brittney performed a contemporary solo (pictured here), choreographed by one of her instructors, Jenny Johnston, to the well-know music “Lacrimosa” by Mozart. Brittney is a leading dancer of the Ballet Ensemble of Texas and a student at the Ballet Academy of Texas, both located in Coppell.  She has previously awarded scholarships by the Regional Dance of America organization and the North Texas Dance Council.  She is a sophomore at Lewisville High School and the daughter of Twila and Bill Dito of Lewisville. 

February 8, 2010

Ballet Academy of Texas receives Outstanding School Award

COPPELL, TEXAS –

Youth America Grand Prix, an international ballet competition for students ages 9 – 19, held their Regional Competition for the Southwestern area of the United States this past weekend at the Irving Arts Center.  More than 200 dancers attended from all over the United States, Canada, and even China.  The Ballet Academy  of Texas received the top award of “Outstanding School”.  This is the  4^th time for the school to win the award in 8 years of entering the competition.  The dancers were judged by professionals from major ballet companies in the United States such as New York’s American Ballet Theatre.  The school entered 3 group dances, or Ensembles, and 2 of them, “La Vivandiere”

and “Capriccios”

tied for 1^st place in the Ensemble Category.  Some of the Academy students also competed in solos in the Junior and Senior category.  Top Juniors from the school in the Classical division were Courtlyn Hanson (13) and Rayleigh Vendt (14) who won 2^nd and 3^rd place respectfully, with additional dancers in the top 12 being Katie Cheng (14), Julia Nicholson (13), Hannah Snowden (14), and Natalie Tsay (14).  There was a Contemporary competition for Juniors where the Academy dancers also scored very high.  Katie Cheng (14) won 1^st place, Rayleigh Vendt 2^nd place, and Courtlyn Hanson placed in the top 12.  In the Senior category, Brittney Dito (age 16) won 3^rd place in the Contemporary Division, and Ms. Dito, Nathan Vendt (16) and Jared Tennison (18) placed in the top 12 Classical Division .  All of these dancers are members of the Academy’s official performing company, the Ballet Ensemble of Texas, and are directed by former professional dancer Lisa Slagle.  They will be performing a full program of dance, including the 2 winning group dances, at the Irving Arts Center February 27^th and 28^th.  Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling (972) 252-ARTS

December 14, 2009

Ballet Academy of Texas Dancers receive

Top Honors at “The Pulse”

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COPPELL, TEXAS – 

October 12, 2009

Ballet Ensemble of Texas to perform at new Performing Arts Center

COPPELL, TEXAS –

The Ballet Ensemble of Texas has been invited to perform at the new Performing Arts Center in downtown Dallas as part of the new AT&T PAC’s opening week celebrations.  The Coppell-based ballet company will perform a section of a new ballet “Capriccios”, choreography by Trinette Singleton, on Sunday, October 18^th, at 11:30 a.m. on the Center Wide Stage, an outdoor stage located on the plaza overlooking the new Winspear Opera House.  They are part of an all-day, free-to-the-public, celebration of various performances.  “We are proud to be representing Coppell and the local community at this event,” says Ensemble Director Lisa Slagle.  “It is a real honor to have been invited, and the ballet we will perform is lively and very fast!” 

The Ballet Ensemble is also proud to announce that one of its members, Katie Cheng, age 13 from Coppell, has been awarded a National Training Scholarship from American Ballet Theatre in New York City.  This honor is given to only about 10 dancers per year from throughout the United States in recognition for their talent, training, and dedication, and includes a full scholarship to attend ABT’s workshop in New York in the summer of 2010 as well as a stipend to her home studio, the Ballet Academy of Texas in Coppell, for her training during the year.  Katie will be performing the role of “Clara” in the upcoming “Nutcracker” performances by the Ballet Ensemble in November and December in both Coppell and in Irving at the Irving Arts Center. 

The Ballet Ensemble’s season is being sponsored by the generous support of the Macy’s Foundation and the City of Coppell.  For more info on the Ballet Ensemble and their upcoming performances, go to

www.balletensembleoftexas.org  www.balletacademyoftexas.com

March 28, 2009

Ballet Ensemble of Texas receives Top Award at Festival

COPPELL, TEXAS – The Ballet Ensemble of Texas received the “Stream Award” at the Regional Dance America/ Southwest Festival in Houston earlier this month.  This recognition is an annual award selected by committee in recognition of the one company within the organization who displayed the highest artistic excellence and the greatest service to the Regional Dance America/Southwest in the past year.  The Ballet Ensemble hosted the RDA/Southwest Festival in Richardson in 2008, where over 500 dancers from throughout the southwest convened at the Eisemann Theatre and adjoining Renaissance Hotel for 3 days of Master Classes and Performances. 

The Ballet Ensemble of Texas members also received other awards at the Festival in Houston.  Company choreographer Jenny Johnston received the RDA National Commissioning Award for her choreography of  “La Nuit Rose”, which the Ensemble performed at the Gala Performance of the Festival, and which is pictured here.  Also two of the company’s dancers received scholarships:  Madilyn Hill (16) received a full scholarship to attend the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s Summer Intensive, and Brittney Dito (15) received a $500.00 Regional Dance America scholarship to attend the Joffrey Midwest Summer Intensive. 

  The Ballet Ensemble of Texas would like to recognize the great support of the Macy’s Foundation, the City of Coppell, and Alexander and Alexander Orthodontics for their successful season this year.

February 16, 2009

COPPELL, TEXAS –

This weekend at the Irving Arts Center, the Coppell-based Ballet Ensemble of Texas will present the Southwest premiere of Twyla Tharp’s ballet “Torelli”.  Ms. Tharp was a 2008 Kennedy Center Honoree, and has choreographed for every major Ballet Company in America, in addition to having the long-running hit on Broadway, “Movin’ Out”.  “I am thrilled that our dancers had the opportunity to learn her style and unique way of moving and I know the audience will find it to be interesting and well-done,” said Ensemble director Lisa Slagle, who had the opportunity to work with Ms. Tharp as a Joffrey Ballet dancer in the late 1970’s. 

Also on the program will be two premieres by company choreographers Jenny Johnston and Andrew Parker.  Ms. Johnston’s ballet will be to the popular music of Karl Jenkins, and Mr. Parker’s to the innovative music of Philip Glass. “Both of these ballets are neoclassical and somewhat contemporary, and both unique”, said Ms. Slagle.

For a touch of the classics, the Ensemble will present the beautiful one-act section of the classical ballet, “Jardin Anime”, from “Le Corsaire”, featuring a total of 21 girls in beautiful new tutus and sets.  The performance will conclude with a revival of the rousing and fun jazz ballet by choreographer Tammie Reinsch called “Jumpin’ Jack”.

This performance is presented with the Sponsorship of Macy’s, and the City of Coppell, with special thanks to its Benefactor, Alexander and Alexander Orthodontics.  Performances are scheduled for Saturday, February 21^st at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, February 22^nd at 2:30 p.m. at the Irving Arts Center on MacArthur Blvd. in Irving.

Tickets are $20.00 for Adults, $15.00 for Students and Seniors, and can be purchased by calling the Irving Arts Center box office at (972) 252-ARTS, or at the Ballet Academy of Texas in Coppell.  Special group rates for 10 or more tickets are available.  This will be a great program of dance for the entire family!  For more information call the Ballet Ensemble of Texas at (972) 745-0199, or go to www.balletensembleoftexas.org  

Tickets are $20.00 for Adults, $15.00 for Students and Seniors, and can be purchased by calling the Irving Arts Center box office at (972) 252-ARTS, or at the Ballet Academy of Texas in Coppell.  Special group rates for 10 or more tickets are available.  This will be a great program of dance for the entire family!  For more information call the Ballet Ensemble of Texas at (972) 745-0199, or go to www.balletensembleoftexas.org

September 15^th, 2008

Ballet Ensemble of Texas begins Performing Season

___________________________________________

COPPELL, TEXAS –

The Ballet Ensemble of Texas is busy preparing a full season of performances, with the first one scheduled for Saturday, September 27^th, at the Granville Performing Arts Center in Garland.  They have been invited to open the 2-day Curtain Call Dance Festival, organized by the Dallas-based Dance Council, where they will perform director Lisa Slagle’s ballet “Festive Overture” (pictured here). For information and tickets go to www.thedancecouncil.org

 Their popular version of “The Nutcracker returns  November 29^th and 30th to Coppell High School Auditorium for 3 performances, followed by 3 more performances December 6^th and 7^th at the Irving Arts Center.  They will present the North Texas premiere of well-known choreographer Twyla Tharp’s ballet “Torelli”, as well as 2 world premieres as part of their annual spring performances at the Irving Arts Center, scheduled for Feb. 21^st and 22^nd.    In March, 2009, they will represent Coppell when they perform at the Regional Dance America Southwest Festival in Houston as an Honor Company.  For more information visit their website at www.balletensembleoftexas.org

May 10, 2008

Ballet Ensemble of Texas Dancers and Choreographer awarded Scholarships

COPPELL, TEXAS –  The directors of the Coppell-based Ballet Ensemble of Texas are pleased to announce that many of their company members have received merit scholarships to various summer dance programs around the country.  The Dallas-based Dance Council has awarded Ms. Brittney Dito its largest scholarship of $1000.00 to attend the Joffrey Midwest Workshop in Michigan in June. She also received a full scholarship to attend the Joffrey New York Workshop in July.  Other Dance Council scholarship recipients were Meredith McDonald, and Rebecca McManis.  Ms. Emily Brideau received a $500.00 scholarship from the Regional Dance America organization, which she will use to attend the Alvin Ailey Workshop in New York City this summer.  Ms. Madilyn Hill received a full scholarship to attend the University of Oklahoma Summer Wind workshop, and Ms. Abbie Feller received a partial scholarship to attend the American Ballet Theatre workshop in Orange County, California.  Receiving scholarships to the Glenda Brown Choreography Project were Coppell residents Madeline Sogar and Kelly Marshall.  Ms. Julia Nicholson and Ms. Sidney Moore received scholarships to attend the Joffrey Workshop Texas in San Antonio.  Company choreographer Darrell Cleveland received a full scholarship to attend the Regional Dance America Choreography Conference in Seattle in June.  His ballet “Grace Under Fire” was selected to be performed at the recent Regional Dance America festival in Richardson, performed by the Ballet Ensemble of Texas, and is pictured here. 

Troupes dance away the weekend at Eisemann Center

12:00 AM CDT on Tuesday, April 15, 2008

By MARGARET PUTNAM / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

RICHARDSON – For three days, the Eisemann Center and the Renaissance Hotel were abuzz with master classes, lectures and performances as some 600 dancers in 25 companies descended for the annual Regional Dance America/Southwest Festival.

 The festival culminated Sunday night at the Eisemann Center with the gala performance, and if I were the betting type, my money on who is most likely to emerge as a star would go to Dallas Ballet Company's 16-year old Julia Cinquemani. As a dancer, she has everything one could hope for: elegant legs and feet, subtle presence, silky control. Next year: American Ballet Theatre.

Of the 12 works, six stood out. One was funny, three somber, one bordered on the surreal and, thankfully, one was a frolic.

The comedy came from BalletForte's Scherzo. Dancers lose their place in line, someone gets slapped, a short man leaps into the arms of a tall woman, and everyone ends up in a heap. At the center of the mishaps, Jeiron Wong plays a "Who me?" character with perfect timing, a Bugs Bunny in tights.

The moody and modern cast a spell in Midland Festival Ballet's Outside of Time, City Ballet of Houston's Elegy and Ballet Ensemble of Texas' Grace Under Fire. Clean and expressive dancing met the demands of imaginative choreography.

A bench, two red and three black umbrellas, 15 dancers in white dress and a dimly lit stage created an ambience of mystery with a hint of the surreal in Kingwood Dance Theatre's Moments of a Rainy Day.

The conceit behind Dallas Ballet Company's Hommage à la Russe was to celebrate Russia's 200th birthday, but the music, dress and daring dancing said otherwise. It was Hungarian Gypsy all the way.

Margaret Putnam is a Richardson-based writer who covers dance.

March 28, 2008

COPPELL, TEXAS – Ballet Ensemble of Texas to Host Regional Dance America Festival

The Ballet Ensemble of Texas will soon be performing and also hosting at the Regional Dance of America Southwest Festival in Richardson at the Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts.  The Coppell-based company will be performing a premiere by company Director Lisa Slagle Nicholson, “Festive Overture”  (pictured here), as well as works by company choreographers Darrell Cleveland and Tammie Reinsch.  There will be 3 nights of performances at the Eisemann Center’s Hill Performance Hall April 11, 12 and 13 at 7:30 each night, and in addition to the Ballet Ensemble of Texas will feature 24 other regional dance companies from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.   The last time this Regional Festival was in the Dallas area was in 1973, and is considered to be one of the dance events of the year for North Texas.  Tickets for the performances are $25.00 for Adults, and $20.00 for Students and Seniors, and can be purchased by calling the Eisemann Center Box Office at (972) 744-4560 or by going to www.eisemanncenter.com .  For more information on the Festival visit the website at www.rdasouthwest2008.org or call the Ballet Ensemble of Texas at (972) 745-0199.

February 6^th, 2008

Ballet Academy of Texas Dancer Receives Top Honor at Youth America Grand Prix - COPPELL, TEXAS –

Youth America Grand Prix, an international ballet competition for students ages 9 – 19, held their Semi-Final competition for the Southwestern area of the United States last weekend at the Irving Arts Center.  More than 200 dancers attended from all over the United States.  Ballet Academy of Texas student Brittney Dito, (age 14), received the Youth Grand Prix award for receiving the highest scores in both the Contemporary and Classical Dance categories for her age division.  She will compete at the New York Finals in April, which brings the top young dancers from all over the world to New York for 3 days of competitions and classes.  The Ballet Academy also performed well in the Ensembles competition, where they entered 4 large Ensemble pieces.  All 4 dances placed in the top 12 of Ensembles, with “No Pressure”, the unique choreography of Academy staff member Tammie Reinsch, receiving a 3^rd place honor.

'Firebird' burns brightly

DANCE REVIEW: Young lead meets challenge of demanding role

Monday, April 2, 2007

By MARGARET PUTNAM / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

IRVING – Wonders never cease. Ballet Ensemble of Texas proved that even a 14-year-old can create magic in the demanding role of the Firebird. The Ballet Ensemble of Texas showed hard-to-match skill in

The Firebird on Sunday at Irving's Carpenter Hall. Sunday afternoon at Carpenter Hall, this student company met every challenge with an aplomb and technical skill few other youthful groups could match.

The program opened with Gerald Arpino's neo-classic Reflections, a pretty affair but without much bite. It featured 10 girls in tiny pale blue dress and three men, who in solos, duets and trios performed seven variations on a theme. They offered a textbook example of precisely executed bourees, little beats of the feet, hops on pointe and balances in arabesque.

The one compelling variation came in Variation VI, where Lee Scoggins began a series of turns that reversed at a 90-degree angle. On the other side of the stage, Jennie Hyland emerged, walking backward. When she turned to him, her initial caution changed to curiosity, and soon the couple engaged in a touching pas de deux.

Reflections was no match for The Firebird, a Russian fairy tale about a Firebird with magical powers. First created by Mikhail Fokine for Ballets Russes in Paris in 1910, it was a sensation then, with a dynamic score by Igor Stravinsky. Sunday's version was that of George Skibine, the late artistic director of Dallas Ballet and former star of Ballets Russes, and was restaged by Thom Clower.

The Firebird opens with the Prince, Ivan Tsarevich (Paul Adams, 17) lying asleep in the forest. Soon he awakes, and in darts the Firebird (14-year-old Meredith McDonald) with big, bold leaps. Once he captures her, she frantically tries to escape, trembling as he holds her tightly, her body stretched forward and arms fluttering. When she manages to escape his grasp, it is her exotic beauty that wins her release.

The mood lifts to a sunny garden where Princess Tsarevna the Beautiful (Emily Dixon, 18) and maidens in blue and violet filmy dress flutter like delicate flowers.

And then violence erupts as monsters in wings and capes storm the stage and swarm over the Prince. Tye Love makes a truly terrifying evil magician, but he ends up slithering and crawling when the Firebird comes to rescue the Prince.

The end is simple and moving, with the Firebird touching the shoulder of the newly married Prince. She lets go and balances on one leg in arabesque as though to announce her magical power.

As the Firebird, Ms. McDonald captured the essence of the role's mysterious nature with a wonderful mix of large, flashing jumps and steely legwork.

Margaret Putnam is a Richardson-based freelance writer.