Ballet's Greatest Hits, featuring Alina Cojocaru

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The lineup of dancers performing in Ballet’s Greatest Hits is a who’s who of today’s ballet world.

Presented by Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and the Straz Center, the show will feature soloists and principal dancers from the world’s most well known ballet companies.
Today’s featured performer from the show is Alina Cojocaru, principal dancer with the Royal Ballet of London.

Photo from alinacojocaru.com

Born in Bucharest, Romania, Alina trained in Kiev, Ukraine for seven years before joining the Royal Ballet School in 1997.
She returned to Kiev where she joined the Kiev Ballet as a principal dancer. A year later, she joined the Royal Ballet Company (November, 1999) and at the end of the season she was promoted to Soloist.
In April 2001, she was promoted to the rank of principal dancer after her performance of Giselle. While a member of the Royal Ballet she continues to perform as a guest artist with companies worldwide.
Over the last few years, Alina has organized galas in Romania and in London (Hospice of Hope). In February, 2012 she premiered Alina Cojocaru - Dream Project, in Tokyo, Japan, which she directed and staged, while performing alongside friends and colleagues from the Tokyo Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, ENB and Royal Ballet.
Don't miss Alina Cojocaru in:
Ballet's Greatest HitsJan. 5, 2013at the Straz Center, Tampa
Tickets to the show make great Christmas gifts!

Ballet's Greatest Hits, featuring Alina Cojocaru

To contact us Click HERE
The lineup of dancers performing in Ballet’s Greatest Hits is a who’s who of today’s ballet world.

Presented by Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and the Straz Center, the show will feature soloists and principal dancers from the world’s most well known ballet companies.
Today’s featured performer from the show is Alina Cojocaru, principal dancer with the Royal Ballet of London.

Photo from alinacojocaru.com

Born in Bucharest, Romania, Alina trained in Kiev, Ukraine for seven years before joining the Royal Ballet School in 1997.
She returned to Kiev where she joined the Kiev Ballet as a principal dancer. A year later, she joined the Royal Ballet Company (November, 1999) and at the end of the season she was promoted to Soloist.
In April 2001, she was promoted to the rank of principal dancer after her performance of Giselle. While a member of the Royal Ballet she continues to perform as a guest artist with companies worldwide.
Over the last few years, Alina has organized galas in Romania and in London (Hospice of Hope). In February, 2012 she premiered Alina Cojocaru - Dream Project, in Tokyo, Japan, which she directed and staged, while performing alongside friends and colleagues from the Tokyo Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, ENB and Royal Ballet.
Don't miss Alina Cojocaru in:
Ballet's Greatest HitsJan. 5, 2013at the Straz Center, Tampa
Tickets to the show make great Christmas gifts!

Field trip show gets kids thinking about bullying

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Last week, students from two local elementary schools laughed and looked in awe as Tony Brent made a ball disappear right from a student’s hand.
Brent got the kids’ attention by performing card tricks and making things appear and disappear. But more important than his magic was his message.
With Brent’s one-man show PIP-Squeak, part of our field trip performance series, he spoke to kids about bullying.
“I try to get them thinking about what they would do in a bullying situation,” said Brent before the show.
Using comedy, magic and role-playing, he engaged the students and tried to help them understand how their words and actions can affect others.
In one such gesture, he asked a student volunteer to crumple up a piece of paper. And after it’s scrunched and wrinkled and tattered, he asked the student to apologize to it. Despite the student’s apology and attempt to flatten the paper back to its original state, the paper clearly was different, damaged.
“I’m trying to leave them with a mental picture about bullying. I try to be funny in it, but still have the message in there...Hopefully the visual will stick with them longer," he said.
Brent and Next Generation Ballet dancer William Dugan were interviewed by local news stations. They spoke about how important it is for parents to talk to their kids about bullying and for students to get help and reach out to a parent or counselor if they feel like they’re being bullied.

For the upcoming field trip performance schedule, please click here. Make a day of it by adding a workshop and tour with our Day at the Straz.

Dance Workshops feature two days of dance classes!

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The Patel Conservatory announces two days of dance workshops!

The Patel Conservatory offers an array of dance classes for students of all ages and abilities.  With our upcoming workshops, you can try several classes and instructors.
Patel Conservatory Dance WorkshopsSat., Dec. 15 from 2:30 to 6 p.m.andSun., Dec. 16 from 1:30 to 5 p.m.
at the Patel Conservatory
at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa
1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa, FL 33602
Strengthen your core muscles with ballet, or learn some new moves in hip-hop. With sample classes in contemporary, jazz, ballet, tap and hip-hop, you can try them all and find the best fit for you!
The workshops will be led by professional Patel Conservatory instructors, and are open to beginners as well as experienced dancers from grade four through adults.
Our dance classes are for students of all ages and allow you to progress at your own pace in a nurturing environment. If you enjoy your workshop experience, you can sign up for one class, or take various classes with the flexibility of a dance class card.
The cost for both Saturday and Sunday’s workshops is $50. Or attend just one day for $30. College students receive a 50% discount.
All participants receive a complimentary ticket to An Evening of Dance on Saturday evening, as well as an invitation to a free pre-show pizza social.
An Evening of Dance will feature dancers from various dance classes at the Patel Conservatory.
Come dance with us, and enjoy dinner and a show on us!
Reserve your spot now! Register online by clicking on one of the links below:
Saturday and Sunday, Grades 4 to 8Saturday only, Grades 4 to 8Sunday only, Grades 4 to 8Saturday and Sunday, Grade 9 through AdultSaturday only, Grade 9 through AdultSunday only, Grade 9 through Adult
For additional information, or to register over the phone, please call 813-222-1002.

Spotlight on Pat Adams

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Pat Adams, second from left, plays Father Silberhaus in
The Nutcracker

Dance has always been a part of Pat Adams’ life.
“My mother was a tap dancer and a tap dance teacher...she used to teach me and my sisters in our house when I was a kid,” said Pat.
The 73-year-old retired psychotherapist has been taking tap classes at the Patel Conservatory for about five years.
For the third year in a row, he’ll also play the role of Father Silberhaus in The Nutcracker  at the Straz Center next month.
Having grown up dancing, he always enjoyed various types of dance. Throughout the years, he and his wife have taken ballroom lessons, square dancing and folk dancing.
When his mom took up clogging in her retirement years, Pat joined her. They clogged together for about 15 years until his mom died at age 88.
“After my mother died, I didn’t tap or clog for quite a while. My wife thought that I should get involved with some kind of group,” said Pat.
That’s when he found the tap classes at the Patel Conservatory. 
“I just find it (the Conservatory) a very dynamic place. The faculty are very dedicated, very professional and enthusiastic,” he said. Tap instructor Susan Downey “challenges us with new stuff all the time. She acts like she’s getting me ready for Broadway...she pushes you.”
A wonderful aspect of being involved at the Conservatory is working with all types of people, from adults of all ages in his tap classes, to the talented Next Generation Ballet dancers in the cast of The Nutcracker.
“I enjoy performing, and I’m just amazed at these Next Generation Ballet dancers. These young dancers are just incredible. I enjoy being involved with (the show) and bringing it together as a performance...it’s exciting to be around all that energy and ability and talent.”
Dance has helped Pat stay young in mind, body and spirit.
“I like the feel of dancing, of moving to music. It’s good to keep your brain and body trying new things,” he said. “It keeps you alive and in the world.”
The Nutcracker will run Dec. 22 and 23, 2012 at the Straz Center.
Pat will also perform along with dancers from several Patel Conservatory dance classes in An Evening of Dance on Dec. 15, 2012 in the TECO Theater.

Meet the cast: Kiss Me, Kate

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Congratulations to the wonderful cast of Kiss Me, Kate for a great show over the weekend. If you didn't get a chance to see it, don't fret, you have four more chances this weekend!

Kiss Me, Kate runs through Nov. 17, 2013. Click here for tickets.
Get to know some of our cast and how the performing arts has touched their lives.
******

Rodner Salgado

Rodner Salgado, 23, North Tampagraduate of the University of Tampa
Role: Bill Calhoun
What is exciting to you about the show? All the dancing.
Other classes taken at the conservatoryTap and Hip Hop
How long have you been a part of the Patel Conservatory?One year
How has studying the performing arts been beneficial to you?It has taught me about myself and the world.
The Patel Conservatory has opened many doors for me since I began as an intern over the summer, 2012. Since then, I have been in a staged reading of A Midsummer Nights Dream and currently in the outstanding production of Kiss Me, Kate. I love the Patel Conservatory because it's a creative and safe environment where kids of all ages learn to express and communicate through the art of performance.
*******Brad Roberts, 18, of Palm HarborUniversity of Tampa
Role: Harry/Baptista
What is exciting to you about the show? The show within a show aspect!
Other classes taken at the conservatoryMusical theater classes.
How long have you been a part of the Patel Conservatory?Three years
Why did you decide to study the performing arts?It’s been my passion since I was little!
How has studying the performing arts been beneficial to you?
What do you think is interesting about yourself?I have perfect pitch. I was adopted at three months. And I’ve performed in a national tour.
Other commentsI have made so many friends through this show. I didn't know much about the play itself when I first went into the production, but it is by far one of the most energetic and fun shows that I have ever been a part of!
*******Bernard McNicol, 21, of TampaUniversity of Tampa
Role: Ensemble
What is exciting to you about the show? First Cole Porter musical! (and Kristen getting spanked)
Why did you decide to study the performing arts?I haven’t found anything else as satisfying
How has studying the performing arts been beneficial to you?It’s helped me identify myself as an individual.
What do you think is interesting about yourself?I try to connect with as many people as I can.
******

Emily Schultz

Emily Schultz, 13, of Harbour Island
Role: Ensemble, dance trio
What is exciting to you about the show? The music is so much fun and I love to sing, dance and act. Also the cast and crew are fun to work with.
Other classes taken at the conservatoryBallet, Contemporary, Tap and Theater
How long have you been a part of the Patel Conservatory?One year
Why did you decide to study the performing arts?I love to perform.
How has studying the performing arts been beneficial to you?I have been given the role of Clara in The Nutcracker because I can act.
What do you think is interesting about yourself?I skipped 7th grade...and I have read Harry Potter at least nine times.

Free youth orchestra performance tonight!

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Students, parents and guests, if you're planning to be at the Conservatory this evening, please stop by the library for a sneak peek of the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra's (PCYO) fall concert.
Advanced students in the Patel Conservatory Composer’s Orchestra will perform in an informal concert in the Chairmen’s Library tonight, Oct. 15, 2012, at 8 :15 p.m.
The performance will include works written exclusively for PCYO by conductor Stephen P. Brown.
The concert is free and open to all guests. All student musicians and private lesson students interested in PCYO are encouraged to attend.
The PCYO fall concert will be Dec. 10, 2012 in the TECO Theater. For more information about PCYO, please click here.