Virtual and in-person classes available.
June 8 to July 31.
Ballet Technique, Classical Variation, Pointe Work, Character Dance and Contemporary Dance taught by internationally renowned teachers and professional artists.
Ages 9 and older.
Previous ballet training required as described below.
Summer Intensives Registration.
Classes will be conducted by Urbana Fine Arts Center Instructors Jade O'Connor, Chloe Nagle and Luciana Rezende and by guest instructors listed below.
Summer Intensive Guest Teachers:
Reida Dobi
June 8 to June 12
Ballet, Pointe and Variation.
Ballet, Pointe and Variation.
Originally from Albania, Reida Dobi studied at the Academy of Classica Dance of Tirana under the direction of master choreographer Agron Aliaj, a graduate from the Bolshoi Theatre of Ballet, Moscow.
By invitation, she enrolled in the Institute of Arts and Choreography in Tirana and worked as an instructor at the Academy of Classic Dance, teaching Variations and Partnering.
Ms. Dobi joined the Tirana State Opera and Ballet in 1990 where she quicly became a soloist, moving to pricipal dancer, earning the tiltle of Prima Ballerina with many performances in Greece, Italy, France anda Bulgaria. She has also performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York City.
She has dance pricipal roles in several ballets includin Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Raymonda and Swan Lake. Her repertoir also includes contemporary adaptations of Spartacus, Romeo and Juliet and featured spots in teh operas Don Juan and La Traviata.
Ms. Dobi has more than 15 years of teaching experience in dance schools in the United States.
She currently teaches Vaganava Technique in ballet, pointe, variations and floor barrre at Texas Ballet Theatre.
By invitation, she enrolled in the Institute of Arts and Choreography in Tirana and worked as an instructor at the Academy of Classic Dance, teaching Variations and Partnering.
Ms. Dobi joined the Tirana State Opera and Ballet in 1990 where she quicly became a soloist, moving to pricipal dancer, earning the tiltle of Prima Ballerina with many performances in Greece, Italy, France anda Bulgaria. She has also performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York City.
She has dance pricipal roles in several ballets includin Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Raymonda and Swan Lake. Her repertoir also includes contemporary adaptations of Spartacus, Romeo and Juliet and featured spots in teh operas Don Juan and La Traviata.
Ms. Dobi has more than 15 years of teaching experience in dance schools in the United States.
She currently teaches Vaganava Technique in ballet, pointe, variations and floor barrre at Texas Ballet Theatre.
Watmora Casey
June 15 to June 19
Ballet and Pointe
Ballet and Pointe
Watmora Casey is formerly a member of the Caribbean Dance Company, a student of Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York and the coach and choreographer of the five-time national champion U.S. Acrobatic Gymnastics Team.
Mr. Casey is the artistic director of Fauburg Theatre and has been recognized as outsanding teacher by various organizations like the Youth American Grand Prix and Dance Teacher Magazine to name a few. Many of his students have gone on to dance in renowned international dance companies including Alvin Ailey, The Royal Danish Ballet, and Northern Ballet in England.
Mr. Casey's students have won top honors at The Youth America Grand Prix Regional Competition qualifying for the National competition in New York.
Mr. Casey is the artistic director of Fauburg Theatre and has been recognized as outsanding teacher by various organizations like the Youth American Grand Prix and Dance Teacher Magazine to name a few. Many of his students have gone on to dance in renowned international dance companies including Alvin Ailey, The Royal Danish Ballet, and Northern Ballet in England.
Mr. Casey's students have won top honors at The Youth America Grand Prix Regional Competition qualifying for the National competition in New York.
Andrew Cribbett
June 8 to June 15
Variation
Variation
Andrew Cribbett, originally from Thomasboro, Illinois, began his dance training at the age of six. He trained with Christine Rich and Luciana Rezende at the Christine Rich Studio Dance Academy and Performing Arts Center in Savoy, IL. At the age of 16, he received a full scholarship to The Washington School of Ballet in Washington D. C. He attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts to finish his senior year of High School. Andrew has received scholarships to attend summer intensives at Washington School of Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Rock School of Ballet in Philadelphia, and Faubourg Ballet Chicago. He is a professional dancer with the Eisenhower Dance Company and a proud teacher.
Currently , Mr. Cribbett is directing a Black Box Theatre, based in Detroit.
Currently , Mr. Cribbett is directing a Black Box Theatre, based in Detroit.
Kristen Fink
June 22 to July 3
Ballet, Pointe, Variation and Contemporary
Ballet, Pointe, Variation and Contemporary
Kristen Fink was trained in classical ballet, classical pas de deus, contempory dance, tap, jazz and modern dance at the Minessota Youth Ballet Academy, Minessota Ballet Theatre, Rochester Dance Company and Metropolitan Ballet.
She received both merit and talent-base scholarship and attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City, Conservatory of Music & Dance obtaining a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography with a dual emphasis in Ballet and Modern.
She has experience teaching ballet and choreographing.
Ms. Krisitn is also a certified STOTT Pilates instructior and she currently performs with Central Illinois Ballet, Peoria, IL.
She received both merit and talent-base scholarship and attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City, Conservatory of Music & Dance obtaining a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography with a dual emphasis in Ballet and Modern.
She has experience teaching ballet and choreographing.
Ms. Krisitn is also a certified STOTT Pilates instructior and she currently performs with Central Illinois Ballet, Peoria, IL.
Cameron Miller
June 29 to July 3
Ballet, Ponite, Variation and Contemporary
Ballet, Ponite, Variation and Contemporary
Cameron Miller is a professional dancer with American Midwest Ballet.
He studied Ballet, Pas de Deux, & Modern at Kansas City Ballet and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography with an emphasis in Ballet and Modern at University of Missouri—Kansas City, Conservatory of Music & Dance.
Mr. Miller has been choreographing and teaching Ballet, Pointe, Pre-Pointe and Modern Dance for several dance schools in the U.S.
He studied Ballet, Pas de Deux, & Modern at Kansas City Ballet and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography with an emphasis in Ballet and Modern at University of Missouri—Kansas City, Conservatory of Music & Dance.
Mr. Miller has been choreographing and teaching Ballet, Pointe, Pre-Pointe and Modern Dance for several dance schools in the U.S.
Altin Naska
July 6 to July 10
Ballet, Pointe and Variation
Ballet, Pointe and Variation
Mr. Naska is an internationally known, award winning choreographer, dancer, and master teacher with over three decades of performing and teaching experience in Europe and the United States. He was soloist with Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, the Istanbul City Theater in Turkey, and a soloist with Tirana State Opera and Ballet in his native Albania. Mr. Naska graduated from the Albanian Arts Conservatory and also studied choreography at the Tirana Institute of Arts. After moving to Chicago in 1999, Mr. Naska performed with the national and international tour companies Thodos Dance Chicago and Mordine & Company.
He has also been a guest in several suburban productions of “Nutcracker” and “Cinderella, choreographed for the following:
Currently, besides owning and directing Plainfield Dance Academy, Mr. Naska serves in several NFP dance organizations.
He has also been a guest in several suburban productions of “Nutcracker” and “Cinderella, choreographed for the following:
- Thodos Dance Chicago’s New Dances 2000-2003
- The Dutch National Ballet’s 2004 New Voices program
- The Joffrey Ballet dancers for Dance Chicago 2005 Choreography Project
- Stars of Dance Chicago 2006 – 2016
- Chicago Dance Theatre as the Artistic Director for 2007 season
- SPACE Conservatory for Music, Dance and Drama as co-founder and director 2005-2015.
Currently, besides owning and directing Plainfield Dance Academy, Mr. Naska serves in several NFP dance organizations.
- Co-founder and artistic director of the International Dance Embassy, a organization committed to honor and celebrate culturally diverse forms of dance through presentation, education and support of local artists.
- Executive and Artistic Director of Wheatland Dance Theater, a youth dance company affiliated with PDA with mission to foster a passion for artistic dance, to increase the community’s cultural awareness.
- Director of Cultural Exchange of Dance Chicago.
- Artistic and Touring Director of the Stars of Dance Chicago.
Olena Nalyvaico
July 6 to July 10
Ballet, Pinte and Variation
Ballet, Pinte and Variation
Olena Nalyvaico started dancing at the age of 3, at the Kyianochka Choreographic Gymnasium, a special school in her native Kyiv, where she learned diverse art disciplines. She later studied at the Kyiv Choreographic College, where she concentrated on Choreography and received a diploma with honors with a qualification as Artist of Ballet and Teacher of Professional Disciplines. Her Graduate Degree comes from the Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, where she received a Master Level in Philology. Olena is also fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian languages.
Miss Olena, as the students refer to her, has participated with numerous Professional Ballet Companies as a Soloist and Demi-Soloist all around the world, including the Kyiv National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the Royal Russian Ballet, just to name a few. She also toured around the USA and Canada with the Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker for four years. For two of those years, she was also Audition Director for the Great Russian Nutcracker Children’s Cast. She taught approximately 2,000 children in 40 cities! In addition, she was the Assistant Choreographer to Nataliya Tkachuk for the performance of Seven Deadly Sins, Mankind, and Love.
Miss Olena, as the students refer to her, has participated with numerous Professional Ballet Companies as a Soloist and Demi-Soloist all around the world, including the Kyiv National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the Royal Russian Ballet, just to name a few. She also toured around the USA and Canada with the Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker for four years. For two of those years, she was also Audition Director for the Great Russian Nutcracker Children’s Cast. She taught approximately 2,000 children in 40 cities! In addition, she was the Assistant Choreographer to Nataliya Tkachuk for the performance of Seven Deadly Sins, Mankind, and Love.
Natalia Moreno
July 14, 15 and 17
Ballet, Pointe and Variation
Ballet, Pointe and Variation
Natalia Moreno was born in Buenos Aires , Argentina. She started her classical training at the age of 6 under the tutelage of Josefina Serrano. At the age of ten she was encouraged to audition to the Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colon and after auditioning she was accepted. This school produces some of the finest dancers of our time, many of them are currently principal dancers in major companies around the world like the Royal Ballet (Marianela Nunez), ABT , Paris Opera Ballet among others. During that time she toured to some Argentinean provinces with the Maximiliano Guerra ballet company. After the intensive eight year program she graduated.
At the age of eighteen, and being the youngest in her category, she won the gold medal at III Certamen International de Ballet y Danza held in Buenos Aires. This competition ignited her career and the following year she was hired as soloist for the Ballet Municipal de Asuncion in Paraguay were she danced leading roles in Le Corsarie, Paquita among others. She also taught in various dance studios of the Asuncion area. After that she moved to Chile were she danced for several ballet companies such as Ballet de Camara, Ballet Raices. She also joined the prestigious Compania Ballet de Santiago where she danced all times classics like Swan Lake, Nutcracker, among others. Later she moved to the US and danced for the USA Ballet for several years, where she performed leading roles in classical and neoclassical works and toured all across the country with repertoire like Les Sylphides, Don Quixote, Giselle and Sleeping Beauty.
Her teaching philosophy is to inspire and show her passion to the younger generations. She is currently teaching various levels of ballet including pre professionals, pointe, variations, coaching for YAGP and private lessons.
At the age of eighteen, and being the youngest in her category, she won the gold medal at III Certamen International de Ballet y Danza held in Buenos Aires. This competition ignited her career and the following year she was hired as soloist for the Ballet Municipal de Asuncion in Paraguay were she danced leading roles in Le Corsarie, Paquita among others. She also taught in various dance studios of the Asuncion area. After that she moved to Chile were she danced for several ballet companies such as Ballet de Camara, Ballet Raices. She also joined the prestigious Compania Ballet de Santiago where she danced all times classics like Swan Lake, Nutcracker, among others. Later she moved to the US and danced for the USA Ballet for several years, where she performed leading roles in classical and neoclassical works and toured all across the country with repertoire like Les Sylphides, Don Quixote, Giselle and Sleeping Beauty.
Her teaching philosophy is to inspire and show her passion to the younger generations. She is currently teaching various levels of ballet including pre professionals, pointe, variations, coaching for YAGP and private lessons.
Corbin Philpips
July 16 and July 19
Ballet, Variation and Contemporary
Ballet, Variation and Contemporary
Corbin Philips is a ballet dancer and choreographer trained in Champaign, Illinois at Champaign Ballet Academy and Springer Cultural Center.
His training was complemented with summer intensives at some of the most recognized ballet schools in the U.S., including Joffrey Ballet School, Orlando Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Ballet Chicago.
Mr. Philips has in various classical ballets with the Champaign Urbana Ballet, Dance Arts Springer Cultural Center, Dance Theatre of Harlem Summer Intensive, City Ballet of Iowa and Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre.
He has also performed in original pieces choreographed by Armando Duarte, Charlotte Adams, Eloy Barragan and Shannon Alvis, at the University of Iowa, where he is currently pursuing a BFA in dance.
His choreography works have been presented at the University of Iowa and at the Dance Arts company class, with the Springer Cultural Center.
His training was complemented with summer intensives at some of the most recognized ballet schools in the U.S., including Joffrey Ballet School, Orlando Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Ballet Chicago.
Mr. Philips has in various classical ballets with the Champaign Urbana Ballet, Dance Arts Springer Cultural Center, Dance Theatre of Harlem Summer Intensive, City Ballet of Iowa and Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre.
He has also performed in original pieces choreographed by Armando Duarte, Charlotte Adams, Eloy Barragan and Shannon Alvis, at the University of Iowa, where he is currently pursuing a BFA in dance.
His choreography works have been presented at the University of Iowa and at the Dance Arts company class, with the Springer Cultural Center.
Jaylen Clay
Contemporary (July 9)
Ballet, Pointe and Variation (July 20 to 31)
Ballet, Pointe and Variation (July 20 to 31)
Native of Atlanta, GA, Jaylen De’ Angelo Clay dances and also makes dance, theatre, and performance art. An award-winning fellow and creative artist, he has been invested in engaging diverse communities abroad and in the U.S. Clay enjoys collaborating with various interdisciplinary artists of color. His directing, performing, and teaching speak to the expanse of black contemporary art; utilizing techniques drawn from the African diaspora, disability and queer culture, post-modern, and conceptual social forms. Clay is a newly recipient of the Mary Jane Neer and Live Mas Scholarship, which are prestigious awards given for excellence in academic achievement and leadership.
Clay is a graduate of Alabama State University and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He trains in ballet, modern, jazz, ballroom, hip hop, West African, heels, step, and tap dance. In college, he performed works by Robert Battle, Gary Jeter, Michael Medcalf, Dinita and Kyle Clark, Endalyn Taylor, DeShona Pepper Robertson, and Sidra Bell.
Clay is a graduate of Alabama State University and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He trains in ballet, modern, jazz, ballroom, hip hop, West African, heels, step, and tap dance. In college, he performed works by Robert Battle, Gary Jeter, Michael Medcalf, Dinita and Kyle Clark, Endalyn Taylor, DeShona Pepper Robertson, and Sidra Bell.
Ashley Thopiah
Ballet and Pointe
June 8 to July 31
June 8 to July 31
Ashley Thopiah began her dance training at the Christine rich Studio Dance Academy and continued on to earn her BFA in Dance Performance from Butler University. She has experience in classical ballets and contemporary works including corps roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, Cinderella, and George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments. She has also been selected to perform principle roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and La Bayadère. She has competed in The Youth American Grand Prix, performed at Dance Chicago, and has spent her summers training at Bolshoi Ballet Academy, State Street Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. As a choreographer, Ashley has set work on students at Butler University, which has been performed both nationally and internationally. Ashley’s choreography blends both modern and Bharatanatyam, a form of classical Indian dance, to express two distinct but intertwined aspects of her identity. Ashley is currently a professional dancer with the Oakland Ballet Company.
Richard Smith
Character Dance
June 8 to July 31
June 8 to July 31
Mr. Smith began studying tap in his youth. He began his ballet training at age 18 under the careful tutelage of Rebekah Von Rathonyi at Cornerstone Academy for Performing Arts. Over the years he has danced roles in many of Ms. Von Rathonyi’s ballets including Jonathan Harker in Dracula, Spanish, Russian, and Italian principle in The Nutcracker, and multiple principal roles in various pieces he performed with the school and the fledgling Central Illinois Ballet. During a two year hiatus he performed as a featured dancer and actor in many Community Theater productions in the Peoria area including Older Billy in Billy Elliot and Harry Beaton in Brigadoon. He recently returned to Central Illinois Ballet, now Downstate Illinois’ only professional ballet company, where he has performed many more principal roles including Prince Ivan in Ms. Von Rathonyi’s The Firebird, John Darling in Peter Pan, and in three original pieces made for collaborations with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Smith has also danced as a guest artist with ballet schools in Chicago and Upstate New York. He is very happy to be back at CIB and working with Ms. Luciana and her wonderful school! He dedicates this performance and all future performances to his mentor, Ms. Rebekah, and her mento
Ages: 9 to 12
Minimum of two years of ballet experience, at a rate of three days per week required.
Classes held virtually until further notice.
|
HALF DAY: 9:00 to 12:00
$ 105.00 per week SINGLE DAY (HALF DAY) $ 35.00 per half day |
SCHEDULE:
9:00 to 9:30 Warm Up 9:30 to 11:00 Ballet 11 to 11:15 Snack & Recess 11:15 to 12:00 Character Dance (MON & WED), Contemporary Dance or Floor Barre (TUE & THU), Pre-Pointe (FRI) |
WHAT TO WEAR:
Warm up, Ballet and Pre-Pointe:
Ballet slippers for ballet classes.
Ballet attire for all dance classes.
Contemporary Dance:
Bare foot or ballet slippers, as per teacher's choice.
Character Dance Classes:
Character Shoes:
Color: Pink or Tan.
Two types:
Adult "Prima" Leather Teaching Shoes
Leather Grecian Teaching Sandal
Available at:
Discount Dance Supply
Austins Sportswear
Ballet bun required for all classes.
Warm up, Ballet and Pre-Pointe:
Ballet slippers for ballet classes.
Ballet attire for all dance classes.
Contemporary Dance:
Bare foot or ballet slippers, as per teacher's choice.
Character Dance Classes:
Character Shoes:
Color: Pink or Tan.
Two types:
Adult "Prima" Leather Teaching Shoes
Leather Grecian Teaching Sandal
Available at:
Discount Dance Supply
Austins Sportswear
Ballet bun required for all classes.
Ages 13 and older
Minimum of three years of ballet experience, at a rate of three days per week required.
Previous pointe work training required for pointe class.
Previous pointe work training required for pointe class.
Classes held virtually until further notice.
|
PER CLASS
Ballet, Variation and Contemporary: $25.00 Pointe: $20.00 PER WEEK Ballet, Variation and Contemporary: $110.00 Pointe: $95.00 SUMMER INTENSIVE (includes all classes) All Classes PER WEEK: $260.00 |
PM Schedule:
12:30 - 2:00 PM: Ballet 2:15 - 3:00 PM: Pointe 3:00 - 4:30 PM: Variation (M,W & F) or Contemporary (Tu & Th) |
WHAT TO WEAR:
Warm up, Ballet and Pre-Pointe:
Ballet slippers for ballet classes.
Ballet attire for all dance classes.
Contemporary Dance:
Bare foot or ballet slippers, as per teacher's choice.
Pointe:
Pointe Shoes
Available at:
Discount Dance Supply
Austins Sportswear
Ballet bun required for all classes.
Warm up, Ballet and Pre-Pointe:
Ballet slippers for ballet classes.
Ballet attire for all dance classes.
Contemporary Dance:
Bare foot or ballet slippers, as per teacher's choice.
Pointe:
Pointe Shoes
Available at:
Discount Dance Supply
Austins Sportswear
Ballet bun required for all classes.
Summer Intensive Classes
Morning Classes - Ages 9 to 12
Warm Up and Stretch:
Great option to start the day and get the body ready for dance classes.
Students are given exercises for straight and stretch of their muscles.
Most of the class is done on a yoga mat.
Ballet:
Barre and center ballet combinations.
This class is design for students with at least two years of structured ballet training at a rate of three days per week.
Character Dance:
Stylized representation of a traditional folk or national dance.
Character dance is a specific subdivision of classical dance and is integral to much of the classical ballet repertoire.
Students will learn basic principles, basic exercises and basic steps of character dance.
Contemporary Dance:
Genre of dance performance that developed during the mid twentieth century and has since grown to become one of the dominant genres for formally trained dancers throughout the world. Its style combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet.
Pre- Pointe:
30 minutes class with exercises focus on knee and ankle strengthening.
Offered to ballet students who are not yet on pointe to further develop and strengthen the muscles necessary to go en pointe.
Pre-pointe classes also allow teachers to assess readiness, offering an atmosphere for proper evaluation of important skills.
Floor Barre:
Ballet exercises done with the body placed horizontally on the floor. All exercises are focused on flexibility and strenght.
Afternoon Classes - Ages 13 and Older
Ballet:
For students with more than three years of ballet experience at a rate of three to six days per week.
Regular ballet technique class conducted by internationally renowned guest teachers.
Pointe:
For students with more than one year of pointe work experience, at a rate of three to six days per week.
Barre and center exercises.
Pointe shoes required.
Variation:
Solo dance from repertoire ballet.
Each week there will be a different variation, chosen by the teacher.
Contemporary Dance:
Genre of dance performance that developed during the mid twentieth century and has since grown to become one of the dominant genres for formally trained dancers throughout the world. Its style combines elements of severaldance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet.
For students with more than three years of ballet experience at a rate of three to six days per week.
Regular ballet technique class conducted by internationally renowned guest teachers.
Pointe:
For students with more than one year of pointe work experience, at a rate of three to six days per week.
Barre and center exercises.
Pointe shoes required.
Variation:
Solo dance from repertoire ballet.
Each week there will be a different variation, chosen by the teacher.
Contemporary Dance:
Genre of dance performance that developed during the mid twentieth century and has since grown to become one of the dominant genres for formally trained dancers throughout the world. Its style combines elements of severaldance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet.