September is already behind us, and the new school year is underway at Dancing Arts Center! Students returned to the studios beginning on September 6th, ready to embark on another year of dancing, performance opportunities, and all the effort, fun, and growth that these bring. And as we move into the fall season, we’re thrilled to bring back some favorite social activities for our students, like bring-a-friend week and Halloween dress-up week.
Earlier this year, Dancing Arts Center students presented their Student Concert, for which they worked with faculty advisors to choreograph their own pieces and select music and costumes, and then performed for family and friends via livestream from Studio A. More advanced students travelled to Worcester to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) regional competition, where Level 3 dancer Brooke Holden was recognized in the top twelve out of over 150 dancers in the pre-competitive category. DAC finished off the spring and welcomed summer with our first production of the ballet Coppélia at nearby Ashland High School.
DAC studios were open through the summer with intensives and programs for all ages, including our second annual Open/Adult intensive with special guest faculty, DAC alum, and American Ballet Theater company dancer Jacob Clerico. At summer’s end, DAC said a fond farewell – or perhaps “see you later” to talented student Clementine “Coco” Perrott, who was accepted to and is now attending Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. While DAC will miss everything about Coco, we are so proud of her for having the courage to take this opportunity and pursue her dance dreams.
The month of September was a busy one for Dancing Arts Center students and staff making connections in our community and preparing for upcoming performances. We attended the first-ever Bellforge Dance Festival event held in Medfield and returned to Celebrate Holliston at Goodwill Park where DAC students – including some of our Open/Adult division students! – performed excerpts from Coppélia, Don Quixote, and The Nutcracker. Meanwhile, Main Division students have already been working with faculty to select and begin rehearsing their pieces for Youth American Grand Prix .
Finally, Dancing Arts Center is thrilled to announce that we’ll be returning once again to the historic Norwood Theater with our eighth production of The Nutcracker! Casting is underway and rehearsals are beginning, so mark your calendars for the weekend of December 16-18th. We hope to see you there!