Campos to host Ballet's Greatest Hits

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Lissette Campos has been enchanted with the world of dance ever since she was a little girl.

ABC News reporter Lissette Campos
will host Ballet's Greatest Hits

“When you’re a child, and you hear the music and see the costumes, it’s all very magical,” said Campos.
Campos, an Emmy Award-winning ABC News reporter, will emcee Ballet’s Greatest Hits at the Straz Center this Saturday evening. Presented by Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and the Straz Center, this gala event will feature some of the world's top professional dancers.
Growing up in Miami, Campos developed a love and admiration for dance through the two daughters of her after-school caregiver. The two girls, Mable and Maribel Modrono, were like sisters to Campos. Both danced, and Campos watched them year after year in the Nutcracker, going from the small caterpillars to Clara. Both went on to become professional dancers, including several years with the Miami City Ballet and other professional companies.
“Watching them dance on stage, I felt so special that I knew someone who could create something that is so beautiful,” said Campos.
She is excited to host this weekend’s performance of Ballet’s Greatest Hits, not only because she loves dance, but also because she sees it as a special experience for the Tampa community.
“Any time you have an organization (like YAGP) that has different options around the world, and they select your community, it’s quite prestigious,” she said. “Couple that with the fact that our community has a chance to go to one place and see the best talent from all over the world. It’s a unique opportunity.”
For Campos, dance will always hold a special place in her heart.
“This friendship I had, hearing all their stories, of the rehearsals, even the names of the positions in French, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
Her experience is a reminder that, “each of us has the ability to create something beautiful.”

Ballet's Greatest Hits will be Sat., Jan. 5, 2013 at 8 p.m. at the Straz Center. For tickets, click here.

Dig It! cast gives a preview at Children's Museum

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Thanks to the members of the cast of Dig It! who gave a preview of the upcoming show at Target Tuesday at the Glazer Children’s Museum last week.
Dig It! is an educational, family-friendly show that explores the wonders of ancient civilizations. It’s the perfect show for young children to attend and experience live theater.

Students in grades two through four have been hard at work rehearsing for the performances, which will be Feb. 28 through March 8 in the TECO Theater. 
“Dig It! is a magnificent way to introduce young ones to significant moments in archeological history,” said Ami Sallee, Patel Conservatory theater chair.
“The cast of young elementary students act, sing and dance around subjects that might seem dry or boring in a text book and breathe life into these ‘old bones.’ The show will be fun for the whole family."

The show is directed by Audrey Siegler and choreographed by Rodner Salgado. Music directors are Allison Novak and Kavan Gillespie.

At last week's preview, the students had a great time performing musical numbers from the show, including So Long Ago. They entertained children and families, and even let some of the kids join in the fun!
For tickets to the show, please visit patelconservatory.org.

Hannah Beach to join the Hamburg Ballet

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Congratulations to Next Generation Ballet (NGB) alum Hannah Beach who has recently accepted an apprentice position with the Hamburg Ballet for the fall.

Photo by Johan Persson

“I am really excited. The director, John Neumeier, is one of the best choreographers around,” said Beach, who has been taking classes at the Conservatory this week with former NGB instructors Peter Stark and Ivonne Lemus.
Beach, 17, is currently in the third year program at the Royal Ballet School (RBS) in London. She’s in town for a short break before returning to London.
“It’s so nice to come home to the family, and Mr. Peter and Ms. Ivonne. I miss them so much when I’m in classes (at RBS),” said Beach.
Beach left Next Generation Ballet at age 16 to study at RBS, where she excelled in her first year and skipped the second year of RBS’s three-year program.
Last fall, she was one of only five students chosen to perform with Royal Ballet’s professional company as part of their Corp de Ballet.
“Performing with Royal Ballet was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It’s completely changed my life,” said Beach.
She was in 21 performances of Swan Lake and 21 performances of The Nutcracker.
“It was really nerve wracking. You don’t want to mess up as a student, especially in Swan Lake....we all have to look the exact same,” said Beach.
In The Nutcracker, she got to stand out a bit more. “I was one of only eight of the Corp for the Waltz of the Flowers. It was really nice. You could definitely see me on stage.”
Of course, a demanding performance schedule takes its toll, both physically and emotionally.
“It was hard because they perform every night, but it’s worth it. Especially at the end, bowing on stage with the principal dancers,” she beamed.
Performing in The Nutcracker also meant she couldn’t come home for Christmas.
“It’s been a challenge, but Skype is very helpful,” said Felicia Beach, Hannah’s mother.
Felicia and Hannah feel that Hamburg Ballet seems like the right fit for her.
Neumeier, the company director, is internationally known for his choreography.
While many companies perform classic choreography, Hamburg Ballet exclusively performs Neumeier’s choreography, providing a rare opportunity for its dancers to be able to work with the choreographer directly.
“He has his own style. He choreographs all their ballets,” said Hannah.

Sisters Hannah, left, and Gabi, right
pursue ballet careers. Hannah will join
the Hamburg Ballet company in the
fall and Gabi will join the Royal Ballet
School.

It’s an exciting year for many of our students. Three NGB students, including Hannah’s sister Gabi, have been accepted to RBS, and NGB new artist William Dugan will join Hannah in Germany as he joins the School of the Hamburg Ballet. Gabi will attend RBS this fall.
With two young daughters overseas this fall (Gabi is only 15), it will be a big adjustment for Felicia, an accountant, and husband John, who works for Raytheon. 
“Gabi’s leaving a year younger than her sister did, that makes me anxious...But mostly we’re very thankful that the girls are having the education from Royal Ballet, and happy they’ve been able to learn from Peter and Ivonne. There’s no way they would have gotten there without them,” said Felicia. “I’ll just have to log a lot of frequent flyer miles.”
Best of luck to both Hannah and Gabi as they embark on new adventures this fall!

Flashdance cast member helps you learn How to Survive a Dance and Music Audition

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Join Flashdance cast member Holly Ann Butler tonight at an audition workshop at the Patel Conservatory in Tampa.
The workshop, How to Survive a Dance and Music Audition, is last of our three-part audition workshop series.

Butler is currently on tour with Flashdance, now playing at the Straz Center through Feb. 24.
This is your chance to work with a seasoned professional whose credits include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway and the National Tours of Shrek the Musical and Jersey Boys.
At the upcoming workshop, you’ll learn how to pick an audition song that suits your voice, how to handle choreography for a dance audition and how to assemble an audition book. Students will then be led through a mock audition and receive feedback on their performance.
How to Survive a Dance and Music AuditionFri., Feb. 22, 2013Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center, TampaCost: $50
To register online, click here, or for more information or to register by phone, call 813-222-1002.
The Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center offers classes in dance, music and theater. We are located in downtown Tampa, so please allow plenty of time to park and sign-in.

Campos to host Ballet's Greatest Hits

To contact us Click HERE
Lissette Campos has been enchanted with the world of dance ever since she was a little girl.

ABC News reporter Lissette Campos
will host Ballet's Greatest Hits

“When you’re a child, and you hear the music and see the costumes, it’s all very magical,” said Campos.
Campos, an Emmy Award-winning ABC News reporter, will emcee Ballet’s Greatest Hits at the Straz Center this Saturday evening. Presented by Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and the Straz Center, this gala event will feature some of the world's top professional dancers.
Growing up in Miami, Campos developed a love and admiration for dance through the two daughters of her after-school caregiver. The two girls, Mable and Maribel Modrono, were like sisters to Campos. Both danced, and Campos watched them year after year in the Nutcracker, going from the small caterpillars to Clara. Both went on to become professional dancers, including several years with the Miami City Ballet and other professional companies.
“Watching them dance on stage, I felt so special that I knew someone who could create something that is so beautiful,” said Campos.
She is excited to host this weekend’s performance of Ballet’s Greatest Hits, not only because she loves dance, but also because she sees it as a special experience for the Tampa community.
“Any time you have an organization (like YAGP) that has different options around the world, and they select your community, it’s quite prestigious,” she said. “Couple that with the fact that our community has a chance to go to one place and see the best talent from all over the world. It’s a unique opportunity.”
For Campos, dance will always hold a special place in her heart.
“This friendship I had, hearing all their stories, of the rehearsals, even the names of the positions in French, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
Her experience is a reminder that, “each of us has the ability to create something beautiful.”

Ballet's Greatest Hits will be Sat., Jan. 5, 2013 at 8 p.m. at the Straz Center. For tickets, click here.

Dig It! cast gives a preview at Children's Museum

To contact us Click HERE


Thanks to the members of the cast of Dig It! who gave a preview of the upcoming show at Target Tuesday at the Glazer Children’s Museum last week.
Dig It! is an educational, family-friendly show that explores the wonders of ancient civilizations. It’s the perfect show for young children to attend and experience live theater.

Students in grades two through four have been hard at work rehearsing for the performances, which will be Feb. 28 through March 8 in the TECO Theater. 
“Dig It! is a magnificent way to introduce young ones to significant moments in archeological history,” said Ami Sallee, Patel Conservatory theater chair.
“The cast of young elementary students act, sing and dance around subjects that might seem dry or boring in a text book and breathe life into these ‘old bones.’ The show will be fun for the whole family."

The show is directed by Audrey Siegler and choreographed by Rodner Salgado. Music directors are Allison Novak and Kavan Gillespie.

At last week's preview, the students had a great time performing musical numbers from the show, including So Long Ago. They entertained children and families, and even let some of the kids join in the fun!
For tickets to the show, please visit patelconservatory.org.

Campos to host Ballet's Greatest Hits

To contact us Click HERE
Lissette Campos has been enchanted with the world of dance ever since she was a little girl.

ABC News reporter Lissette Campos
will host Ballet's Greatest Hits

“When you’re a child, and you hear the music and see the costumes, it’s all very magical,” said Campos.
Campos, an Emmy Award-winning ABC News reporter, will emcee Ballet’s Greatest Hits at the Straz Center this Saturday evening. Presented by Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and the Straz Center, this gala event will feature some of the world's top professional dancers.
Growing up in Miami, Campos developed a love and admiration for dance through the two daughters of her after-school caregiver. The two girls, Mable and Maribel Modrono, were like sisters to Campos. Both danced, and Campos watched them year after year in the Nutcracker, going from the small caterpillars to Clara. Both went on to become professional dancers, including several years with the Miami City Ballet and other professional companies.
“Watching them dance on stage, I felt so special that I knew someone who could create something that is so beautiful,” said Campos.
She is excited to host this weekend’s performance of Ballet’s Greatest Hits, not only because she loves dance, but also because she sees it as a special experience for the Tampa community.
“Any time you have an organization (like YAGP) that has different options around the world, and they select your community, it’s quite prestigious,” she said. “Couple that with the fact that our community has a chance to go to one place and see the best talent from all over the world. It’s a unique opportunity.”
For Campos, dance will always hold a special place in her heart.
“This friendship I had, hearing all their stories, of the rehearsals, even the names of the positions in French, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
Her experience is a reminder that, “each of us has the ability to create something beautiful.”

Ballet's Greatest Hits will be Sat., Jan. 5, 2013 at 8 p.m. at the Straz Center. For tickets, click here.