JCC Dance School Jayne Santoro, Director, 472-7461    About the Director E-mail: santoroj@jccmw.org           Valerie Abrahams, Assistant to the Director, 472-7037 E-mail: abrahamsv@jccmw.org	Join Our Email List Email:

Westchester Theatre of Dance		Modern/Tap/Jazz/Hip-Hop
Ballet		Pre-School Classes
Faculty		Dance School Newsletter
Dance Summer Intensive		Dance School Photos
Dress Code		Dance Calendar
Adult Classes

There’s a place for everyone at the JCC Dance School, one of Westchester’s most respected programs. Kids, teens and adults at all levels of training can take classes in ballet, pointe, jazz/hiphop, tap, and more, most to live musical accompaniment! Our professional faculty has performed with major dance companies in the U.S. and Europe. They are committed to a positive, supportive approach to ensure that our students develop into strong, injury-free dancers and confident individuals. The JCC Dance School’s legacy to its students is a life-long gift: an appreciation of the art of dance, body awareness, self-discipline and the knowledge to become part of an educated and appreciative dance audience. Many JCC Dance School students have gone on to careers with professional dance companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Carolina Ballet, and the Norwegian National Ballet.

CAMP:  SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE FOR TEENS Choose 2, 3, 4, or 5 weeks Monday - Friday 10:30am-4:45pm Take your training to a new level! Intermediate/advanced dancers, entering 7th grade and up, have an extraordinary opportunity to train with professionals at the JCC’s Dance Summer Intensive. Students will participate in various classes including ballet (2 levels), pointe, tap, musical theatre jazz, hip hop, pilates, yoga, nutrition, choreography/composition, and more. Healthy lunch is included! Enroll for 2, 3, 4 or 5 weeks, with an informal performance on the closing day in July. For registration information or questions about the JCC Dance Summer Intensive, contact Jayne Santoro at 914.472.3300, x320.

Westchester Theatre of Dance

Westchester Theatre of Dance (WTD) is the performance company of the JCC Dance School. Each year we invite guest choreographers and performers from New York to be a part of our dance concert. Our dancers learn the creative process of choreography from beginning to end, as well as the immeasurable experience of performing on stage. Our spring concert is a highly anticipated event in the Bendheim Performing Arts Center each year.  For more information and to buy tickets click here.

WTD Annual Performance
An annual concert for children of all ages.
Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 8:00pm
Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 2:00 & 5:00pm

Parent's Observation Week
Parents and other family members are invited to watch student in dance classes during December 5 - 10, 2011, and again May 7  -12, 2012.  Details will be announced in the Dance School Newsletter.

Private Lessons
Private dance lessons may be arranged upon request. Please contact Jayne Santoro, Dance School Director, 914-472-7461.

Performance and Dance Concert Opportunities
Opportunity for performance is offered through our Dance Outreach program during the school year for intermediate and advanced dancers. Ballet students in Levels 2 through 5 and selected jazz and tap students are encouraged to perform in our highly-regarded Westchester Theatre of Dance Annual Spring Concert. Participation is optional - no student is required to perform. There is an additional fee for production and costume expenses, for all participants.


Scholarships
Scholarships available through a grant from The Elaine Finsilver Endowment Fund, and the Maria Jones Scholarship Fund; call x320 for details.
 

Dance School Instructors

Pianists

General Information

• The Dance School has two air-conditioned studios with nonskid floors and a dressing room with lockers.
• Pianists are scheduled for most ballet classes.
• NO refunds after first class unless there is a medical reason.
• Parent observation: weeks of 12/5/11 and 5/7/12.
• Regular attendance is important. Please call x320 in case of anticipated absence.
• No jewelry or gum permitted in class.
• Classes cancelled due to inclement weather may be made up at the end of the session, or made up on another day in the same level.
• Adult single class rate is $22.00 per class.
• Payment plans must be completed by 12/31/11.
• Enrollment is ongoing. Classes may be pro-rated.


Dance Class Cards:
• 10-class card rate is $170.  (Expires 4 months from purchase date.)
• Class cards, available at the JCC front desk, are for adult classes only as indicated (see asterisked (*) class listings).
  All other adult classes require enrollment.
• No one under age 18 may use a class card.
• The Dance School is not responsible for lost or stolen cards.

Guidelines and Dress Codes 

• Ballet classes are divided into Levels. Students remain in appropriate class until the instructor determines they are ready to move to the next level.

• Students new to the school must be evaluated for placement. 

• The Dance School prides itself on the careful placement of each student into the appropriate level of dance class.

• Children in Level 2 and up usually remain in their assigned level for a minimum of two years. Students are moved into another level at the discretion of the instructor.

• All students are expected to arrive on time for class. The beginning of class is an essential part of warm-up. Lateness is also disruptive to the rest of the class. Students arriving more than 10 minutes late will only be permitted to observe.

Boys Uniform: White shirt, black tights, jazz pants or sweats; white socks, white ballet shoes.

Girls: Hair MUST be off neck and securely pinned up for ALL classes.

Creative Ballet, Tiny Toes: Pink leotard, pink tights, and pink ballet slippers. Chiffon skirts permitted.

Ballet For K: Girls: white leotard (no tutus; simple white skirts permitted, pink tights, pink ballet slippers.

Ballet Fundamentals: 6 years old. No experience necessary. Black Leotard, pink footed-tights and pink ballet slippers. No tutus or skirts.

Introduction to Classical Ballet: 7 to 10 years. No experience necessary. Light blue leotard, pink footed-tights and pink ballet slippers. No tutus or skirts. Boys: White shirt, black tights, white socks, white ballet shoes.

Level 1: 8 years old and up: One year of experience necessary. Light pink leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers. No skirts. Boys: White shirt, black tights, white socks, white ballet shoes.

Level 2: 9 years old and up: Two years of experience necessary. Navy leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers. Twice a week suggested.  Boys: White shirt, black tights, white socks and shoes.

Level 3: 10 years old and up: Placement audition is required. Hunter green leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers. Aspiring Level 4 dancers MUST come twice weekly and are strongly urged to attend at least three weeks of summer dance classes at the JCC. Boys:  Same as Level 2.

Level 4: 6th grade and up: By acceptance of instructor. Black leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers. MUST take all three technique classes weekly. Beginner pointe is introduced at the discretion of the instructor.

Level 5: 8th grade and up: By acceptance of instructor. A minimum of three technique classes and two pointe classes weekly are strongly urged at this level.  Black leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers. (Simple skirts are permitted.)

Ballet for Teens:  Black leotard, pink-footed tights and pink ballet slippers.  Simple skirts permitted.

Jazz/Hip-Hop: Black workout sweats or leggings and black T-shirt.  Any color Converse-style sneakers. Socks without shoes - NOT permitted. Girls’ hair up in ponytail.

Jazz/Hip-Hop Jr. and Sr. Workshop: By invitation only at the discretion of the instructor. Dress code: same as above.

Tap: Black leotard, tights and tap shoes.

Tap Workshop:  By invitation only, at the discretion of the instructor. Blue Jeans or Black Jazz pants, black t-shirt (no writing or graphics), girls’ hair in ponytail. Black tap shoes.

Pre-School Classes

Tiny Toes
An introduction to movement through music and rhythms; elements of ballet, modern and jazz dance steps will be used. Children will explore their creativity and the joy of self-expression through movement to music.  (For Session I, must be 3 years old by September 1, 2011. For Session II, must be 3 years old by January 1, 2012.).

Creative Ballet
A child's introduction to basic elements of dance training, including movement, rhythm and musical forms. In addition to working with creative ballet elements, more emphasis is placed on developing each child’s motor skills.

Tap/Jazz/Hip-Hop For Children and Teens

Beginner Tap
This introductory tap class will take you through warm-up, center floor, tap terminology, basics and more.  Beginner tap students usually remain in this level for two years, or advance to next level at the discretion of the instructor.

Intermediate Tap
This tap class will cover the basics and more - from simple shuffle to waltz clog to more advanced steps like shim-sham and pullbacks. At least two years’ experience is necessary. Students may advance to the next level at the discretion of the instructor.

Tap Workshop
This full year class focuses on developing tap students into performers. On an invitation-only basis, dancers are taught repertory that encompasses the history of tap dance styles. The instructor /choreographer will stage standard tap dances as well as more contemporary rhythm tap pieces, which will showcase in JCC Outreach programs and the Annual WTD Dance Concert.

Jazz/Hip-Hop 1
For the beginner student
Explores a variety of jazz/Hip-Hop dance styles, from traditional jazz technique, to contemporary music video style. Children are
moved to the next level at the discretion of the instructor.

Jazz/Hip-Hop 2
This class will explore hip-hop, traditional Jazz, Modern, and Theatre Dance styles, with emphasis on presentation, proper dance technique, discipline and of course, fun!  Students enrolling must have some prior dance experience and are urged to supplement their jazz/Hip-Hop training with a weekly ballet class.

Jazz/Hip-Hop 3
For the student with at least 3 years’ prior training. Dancers will expand on the basic techniques of jazz and hip-hop. Class will consist of an energetic warm-up and stretching, and then progress to center combinations and continue with traveling steps. It is highly recommended that jazz/Hip-Hop students take a weekly ballet class to supplement their dance training. Students are moved to the next level at the discretion of the instructor.

Jazz/Hip Hop Jr. Workshop

By invitation only, at the discretion of the instructor. Dancers will expand on warm-up, stretching, center floor work. Jr. Workshop students will also concentrate on choreography and performance which will be showcased in our Annual WTD Dance Concert and JCC outreach programs.  It is mandatory that Jr. Workshop students take a weekly ballet class to supplement their jazz training.
 

Jazz/Hip-Hop Sr. Workshop
By invitation only for the experienced jazz/hip-hop dancer. This workshop class consists of advanced warm-up and a strong concentration on choreography and performance which will be showcased in our Annual WTD Dance Concert and JCC outreach programs.  Weekly ballet class is mandatory to supplement jazz training at this level.

Jazz/Hip-Hop 4
For the jazz dancer with at least 4 years’ prior training, this class teaches classic jazz with a contemporary slant; Hip-Hop, African, Latin, Musical Theatre, Modern Dance and Ballet will be some of the influences. Class will include warm-up, stretching, center work, floor work and then progress across the floor. Students in this class are strongly urged to take a weekly ballet class to supplement their jazz training.

Ballet for Children and Teens

Beginner Ballet - Teens
It’s never too late to begin classical ballet training. For the teen/young adult interested in learning ballet basics. This class
includes barre work, stretching, and center floor. Students move to the next level at the discretion of the instructor.

Ballet for K  NEW!
This new basic class for Kindergarteners will expand basic ballet steps, positions, and movement. Successful completion of this class will prepare students for Ballet Fundamentals.

Ballet Fundamentals
Children explore a more sophisticated use of movement and imagination as they begin to learn basic ballet fundamentals. They will discover the joy of communicating ideas through movement as they develop their self-esteem and social skills.  Barre work is introduced at this level.

Introduction to Classical Ballet
Girls and boys begin formal ballet training, while learning basic ballet vocabulary and correct body placement. Students are taught strength and flexibility exercises needed for beginning levels of ballet.

Ballet: Level 1
Placement audition required for new JCC ballet students. Must have at least one year prior ballet experience. Children are moved to next level at the discretion of the instructor.

Ballet: Level 2
Must have at least two years prior ballet experience. Placement audition required for new JCC ballet students. Dancers are encouraged to enroll in two weekly classes.

Ballet:  Level 3
Placement audition required for new students. Aspiring Level 4 dancers must come twice weekly and are strongly urged to attend at least three weeks of summer dance at the JCC.

Ballet:  Intermediate Level 4
Placement audition required. Students MUST take all three technique classes for Level 4 Pointe  (see below).

Pointe:  Level 4
All three Level 4 Technique classes are required, and both Tuesday/Thursday pointe.

Ballet:  Level 5
For advanced dancers, with permission of instructor. Students must take all three Level 5 Technique classes and two Pointe classes.

Pointe:  Level 5 - Technique

Pointe:  Level 5 - Pas De Deux

Adult Dance Classes
*These classes accept class cards and single-class payment. All other adult classes require enrollment for sessions.

Advanced Beginner Ballet

Intermediate Ballet

Stretch Mat Class  NEW!
Start your morning with an invigorating, all-body s=t=r=e=t=c=h class that will get you limber, awake and ready to conquer the day! No experience necessary.

Zumba Fitness
Try the new dance sensation - ZUMBA Fitness! ZUMBA is a fusion of Latin and International music - dance themes. The routines feature aerobic/fitness interval training with a combi-nation of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. Registration required.

ISRAELI FOLK DANCING
Learn the latest dances and old favorites. Instruction, requests and open session. A great way to exercise and have fun!
Tuesdays, September 6 - June 19, 2012
7:45-10:00pm
Uri Aqua, Instructor
No classes:  12/20, 12/27, 2/21, 4/3

ARGENTINE TANGO
Learn the basics of Argentine tango and how to navigate the dance floor with ease.
6 Wednesdays, April 18 - May 23, 2012
7:45-9:00pm
Kathy Cressent & Carlos Sampelayo, Instructors
Pre-registration:  $102 for series, $25 single class

For more information on any adult dance classes, contact Jayne Santoro, 914-472-7461

Faculty

About the Director, Jayne Santoro
914.472.3300 ext. 320
As Director of Performing Arts for the JCC of Mid-Westchester, Jayne manages the JCC’s Dance School, Theatre School, Bendheim Performing Arts Center, and the JCC’s dance company: Westchester Theatre of Dance. Jayne received her classical ballet training at the American Ballet Theatre School in New York City. Her performance experience was with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company, as well as New York regional companies. She has more than 30 years’ experience teaching ballet throughout Westchester and Rockland counties. She founded the JCC’s Ballet Outreach Program, which performs for seniors and children. In addition to directing the JCC’s Performing Arts departments, Jayne continues to enjoy teaching all levels of ballet to children and adults.

 

Valerie Abrahams, Assistant to the Director 
914-472-3300, x349     
Valerie is a writer/editor and journalist who loves desktop publishing, performing arts and cooking. After earning a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School, Valerie worked ten years for various publications in Japan and in New York City. She has worked part-time at the JCC since 1996.

Dance School Instructors:
Catherine Barribal
Catherine received her early dance training at Ballet Etudes in Conn., and the Royal Ballet School in London., Staten Island Ballet as a dancer and then ballet mistress for the company.  She has performed with Connecticut Ballet Theatre, the Alexander Roy Ballet Theatre in London, and has guested with companies in the U.S. and Europe. She has been teaching ballet to adults and children for more than 17 years. She is presently Artistic Director of her own company, Classics Dance Theatre, and continues a busy teaching schedule in Connecticut and New York.

Rita Howerton
Rita spent four years at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, obtaining an M.A. in English Literature. While there, she continued to pursue her life-long passion for the arts, specifically dance, by teaching ballet and hip-hop to students at the University of Edinburgh’s National Centre for Dance, DanceBase. She also choreographed and performed in several large-scale charity events there, helping to raise thousands of dollars for cancer research. Most recently, Rita has participated in modern dance projects with artists such as Jonathan Burnett and Maria Colaco, while teaching at dance studios in Westchester. She lives in NYC, and in her free time, she plays drums in a band with her brother.

Violeta Katz
Violeta began studying ballet at age 12 with the Bourmans in New Jersey. At age 15, she received a dance scholarship to the Center Ballet of Buffalo and studied under Kathleen Crofton. Violeta also worked with Anna-Marie Holmes, David Holmes and Bronislava Nijinska, who restaged two ballets, “Les Biches” and Brahams Variations, both presented at Jacob’s Pillow in the Berkshires. In addition, she studied at ABT and the Joffrey under William Griffith. Violeta continues to enhance her teaching techniques by attending teachers’ workshops. She earned her Certification to teach ABT’s Primary to Level 3 syllabus and Certification in The Leap’n Learn program geared toward ages 3-6, teaching creative movement and ballet. She also attended teachers’ workshops at American Academy of Ballet. Violeta has been teaching in Connecticut for the past ten years.

Kerri LuBell
Kerri specializes in Creative Movement and dance for young children. She has taught at the Pleasantville Y, Young at Art and the Northern Westchester Center for the Arts. She has danced with the Potpourri Dancers, the Wendy Biller Dance Co. and studied in New York with Andre Eglevsky, David Howard & Alexandra Alland. She is a graduate of the Academy of Dramatic Arts. 

Michelle Lucci
Michelle comes to the JCC Dance School with an extensive classical and contemporary dance background. She danced with the Royal Winnepeg Ballet, and was Principal Ballerina for the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Milwaukee Ballet. She is best known for her performances in Swan Lake and Giselle. She recently completed a seven-year tour as Dance Captain for the Phantom of the Opera touring company. At the JCC, Michelle teaches Adult morning ballet classes.

Stephanie Knox Madera
Stephanie trained in modern dance and ballet at Idyllwild Arts Academy, New World School of the Arts, Miami City Ballet, DancePlace at the North Carolina Dance Theater, and Dance Space Center in New York City. She has performed and toured throughout the US, and choreographed and taught ballet and modern in schools and dance companies from North Carolina to Colorado, and most recently throughout Westchester County in New York. She joined the JCC Dance School faculty in 2005.

Arleigh Rothenberg
While earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Television-Radio with a concentration in Video Production from Ithaca College, Arleigh founded the Ithaca College Tap Dance Club, and conceived and co-directed the Finger Lakes Tap Dance Festival. Arleigh was recently selected to perform in new choreographic works by Derick Grant, Jason Samuels Smith, and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards in the American Tap Dance Foundation’s 2009 “Sound Check” performance series, and Michelle Dorrance’s piece in the 2009 Symphony Space Showcase. As a member of The Mann Arts Dance Group, Arleigh has performed at the world famous Apollo Theatre in “Taste of Broadway” and the 20th Annual Tap Extravaganza. Other performance credits include Tap City’s 2009 “Main Event” with Mazel Toes, “On Tap” at Joe’s Pub, “They Don’t Sing About Love No More” at New World Stages, and Tap City’s 2008 “Tap and Song” with C3, a NY Tap Cooperative, and in “Old Man Time” by Ernest "Brownie" Brown and Reggio McLaughlin. Arleigh is also a member of Boston Tap Company, and Artistic Director of CANDOR, the tap dance company she has established. She currently teaches at schools in the tri-state area, and at Wagner College.

Flavio Salazar
Flavio is a native of Colombia, began his dance studies at the Colombian Institute of Classical Ballet (Incolballet). He joined Ballet de Cali in 1985, before joining the faculty of Incolballet upon his certification by the National Ballet of Cuba to teach methodology and pedagogy of ballet technique. In 1990, he studied at the Houston Ballet Academy as a full scholarship student, and later joined Ballet Arizona in 1992. In 1993, Salazar was invited to join the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). During his thirteen-year career with ABT, Salazar danced nearly every ballet in ABT's repertoire, before retiring from the company in July of 2006. Salazar's teaching experience extends from his early years of professional dancing in Colombia. He has taught classes at ABT II, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, the ABT Summer Intensive, the Alvin Ailey School, and Ballet Tech, among others.

Karen Schneider
Karen has taught ballroom and popular social dances for wedding couples, senior citizens and adult education classes throughout Westchester County. Originally trained in tap, jazz and African jazz, she began a ballroom career in 1998 with performances at NYC’s Copacabana, Wainwright House in Rye, and has earned 1st and 2nd place in past Fred Astaire TriStar DanceSport Championships competitions. Karen and her dance partner Frank Elia have taught classes at Stardust Dance Weekends in the Catskills. Karen also choreographed The Cubist Works of Pablo Picasso at Yonkers International Baccalaureate World School and at the Grinton I. Will Library. With partner Carlos Sampelayo, she headed the dance division of the ‘Creative Aging’ senior citizen program produced by Lifetime Arts, Inc., in Yonkers. With dance partner Andrew Abrams, she created a dance program at the Health & Recreation Department of Lyndhurst, New Jersey.

Carolos Sampelayo
Carlos’s fascination with tango emerged during his childhood in Venezuela. He began to study ballroom after relocating to the U.S., then started Argentine Tango lessons in 1985 with teachers from Forever Tango and Tango Argentino. He was recently named “Best Argentine Tango Teacher in Westchester,” where he performs and teaches group and private dance lessons, and hosts his own milongas (dance parties) every weekend. On Wednesdays, he teaches Tango at the JCC Dance School with Kathy Cressent.

Justin Sherwood
Justin Sherwood – Justin trained in London, England, with the Royal Ballet School and Rambert Contemporary Ballet School. He began touring internationally with several classical and contemporary companies from Holland to Hong Kong. Justin has choreographed for national and international opera and ballet companies, and is noted as the first American Choreographer for the Albanian National Opera and Ballet Company. Currently he dances with Metropolitan Opera, and has performed several seasons with JCC’s Westchester Theatre of Dance.

Laura Solow
Laura is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University Theatre and Dance department. Since she began teaching Zumba workshops in Westchester in 2006, she has received enthusiastic reviews in several publications and will be featured in the June 2008 issue of  "Best of Westchester" for her Zumba classes at the JCC.

Mimi Wallace
Mimi trained at Bentley-Stone School in Chicago and San Francisco Ballet School, joining SFB at age 13. She later trained at School of American Ballet in NYC with Oboukoff, Vladimiroff, Doubroska and Balanchine. She has performed in the US, Europe, Russia and the Far East. Mimi has appeared in more than a dozen Broadway musicals including Annie, in which she assisted choreographer Peter Gennaro. Her teaching credentials include San Francisco Ballet School, Wilson Morelli School in NY and the JCC of Mid-Westchester. She directed NWCA’s Dance School for 20 years, and its ballet performing company, Dance Messengers.