CARLISLE, PA  (December 20, 2011) - The internationally recognized ballet school and performing company, Central Pennsylvania  Youth Ballet, is pleased to announce its newest choreographic  initiative, FirstSteps, CPYB Student Choreographic Workshop.

FirstSteps further enriches the training of CPYB dancers beyond the traditional student/performer boundaries. The workshop takes place from January 12-20, culminating with public performances showcasing the choreographers' created works. Public performances are at 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday, January 21, at CPYB Warehouse Studios in Carlisle. Tickets are $5 and can be obtained by calling 717.245.1190.

CPYB Founding Artistic Director Marcia Dale Weary and Laszlo Berdo, FirstSteps Director, selected five choreographers from an impressive pool of proposals submitted by CPYB students. Proposals detailed musical selection, dancers needed for the work, and a description of the type of work.

"I want students to come into this workshop with a blank slate, to explore their creativity," says Berdo, CPYB principal faculty and former Boston Ballet principal dancer. "Who knows what young talent will be recognized!"

During the nine-day workshop, students will develop an understanding of the choreographic creative process and will work with dancers in a leadership role. In addition, Pennsylvania Ballet and Carlisle Project founder Barbara Weisberger, a long-time advocate for young choreographers, will return to Carlisle to lend her insights and expertise during the program.

"Choreography is beyond technique and fine dancing," states Ms. Weisberger. "It's about how we use technique as a pathway to artistry and performance."

CEO and Resident Choreographer Alan Hineline states, "Once you go to the other side and are in the front of the room, you start to recognize the infinite possibilities within dance. You begin to understand how artistic directors, teachers and choreographers see you and what the expectations are."

The FirstSteps choreographers are:

  • Avalon Demetri, originally from Mendocino, Ca., has been training at CPYB for three years. She has danced in CPYB productions including George Balanchine's Serenade, George Balanchine's The NutcrackerTM, and Laszlo Berdo's Swan Lake. In addition to ballet, Avalon enjoys reading and sewing.
  • Justine Essis Gildea has been studying at CPYB for eight years. Age 15, Justine is a sophomore at Cumberland Valley High School where she is an Honor Roll student and a member of the It Takes One (ITO) Club. Justine has danced roles in CPYB productions including George Balanchine's Serenade, Raymonda Variations, and George Balanchine's The NutcrackerTM; Alan Hineline's Hansel and Gretel and Roseland Pictures; and Laszlo Berdo's Swan Lake and Carnival of the Animals. She enjoys art, traveling, psychology, cooking and participating in her church youth group. She also loves spending time with friends and family.
  • Alexander Manning has been training at CPYB for one year. Age 17, he is a senior at Carlisle High School. Alexander has danced in CPYB productions including George Balanchine's Serenade and George Balanchine's The NutcrackerTM; Alan Hineline's Roseland Pictures; Laszlo Berdo's Swan Lake and Carnival of the Animals; and Sean Lavery's Twinkliana. His interests outside of dance are going back to his home in State College, Pa., and traveling with his family.
  • John ("JQ") Powers, originally from San Francisco, Ca., is in his second year at CPYB. Age 15, he is a sophomore at Stanford University Online High School. He has danced in CPYB productions including George Balanchine's The NutcrackerTM, Alan Hineline's Roseland Pictures, and Laszlo Berdo's Swan Lake and Carnival of the Animals. In addition to dance, JQ's interests include Russian, food, music, rock climbing and nature.
  • Nadezhda Vostrikov is returning to CPYB after dancing professionally for five years - two years at Boston Ballet and three years at Alberta Ballet. She was a CPYB student for three years prior to her return. Nadezhda has danced in CPYB productions including George Balanchine's Divertimento No. 15, Who Cares? and George Balanchine's The NutcrackerTM; as well as Alan Hineline's Hansel and Gretel and Coppélia. She has also danced in La Fille Mal Gardee, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Alice in Wonderland, Don Quixote, and The Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

 

FirstSteps, CPYB Student Choreographic Workshop
CPYB Warehouse Studios, Carlisle
3 and 5 p.m. Saturday, January 21
Tickets: $5/person; call 717.245.1190