Meet Thomas Armour Youth Ballet’s 2019 Graduating Class

We are so proud of our high school graduates and all their accomplishments! Keep reading this blog post to read all about what they will be up to after high school.

Romina Erminy – Graduated from Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH). While at DASH she participated in the RAW Miami Art Show, received the AP Scholar Award, participated in the American Mathematics Competition, became an Adobe Certified Associate, was on the Principal’s Honor Roll, graduated as a certified music theory teacher, and was a Semifinalist in national math Olympics. She was also a part of the Math Honor Society, the fashion club, National Honor Society of High School Scholars. She was accepted to the University of San Francisco with a $68,000 scholarship, University of Denver, University of the South, the University of Illinois at Chicago, New Hampshire Institute of Art with a $60,000 scholarship, and Miami Dade College.

Destiny Delancy – Graduated from New World School of the Arts High School Cumme Laude with the Superintendent’s Diploma of Distinction. She was accepted into Florida State University, Barry University, Clark AtlantaUniversity, University of the Arts, University of South Florida, Florida Agricultural and Memorial University. She will be attending New York University as a Dean’s Scholar with a full ride.

April Chinea – Graduated Cum Laude from New World School of the Arts earning the Superintendent’s Diploma of Distinction, The Dean of Dance’s Award, Dance Choreography Award, and selected to the New Modup World School of the Arts Principal’s Hall of Fame. She will be attending Florida State University to pursue a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography with a minor in Sports Management.

Dymon Smith – Graduated from New World School of the Arts High school. She was accepted into Goucher College, Point Park University, University of South Florida, New World School of the Arts College, and New York Univerisity. She will be attending New York University in the fall.

Herne Jean-Baptiste – Graduated from New World School of the Arts High school. He was accepted into Point Park University, University of the Arts, Adelphi University, New York University, Suny Purchase College, St. John University, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, and Miami-Dade College. He will be attending New York University in the fall on a full scholarship.

Yumarlis De Jesus – Graduated from New World School of the Arts. She was a posse semi-finalist and the National English Honor Society secretary. She was accepted into Barry University, Florida International University, Florida State University, Emerson College, and The New School. She will be attending Florida State University in the fall.

Sofia Naranjo – Graduated from New World School of the Arts. During her time at New World School of the Arts, she was a part of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. She was accepted into Savannah College of Art and Design and LIM College. She will be attending LIM College with an academic achievement scholarship and will major in Fashion Marketing.

Frances Hernandez – Graduated from New World School of the Arts and will be attending Florida International University this fall.

Hanna Sotolongo-Miranda – Graduated from Coral Reef Senior High School. She is a recipient of the Florida Academic Scholars Award and Blue and Gold Scholar at Florida International University. She was accepted into  Florida International University Honors Marine Biology and the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

Harmony Vides Varini – Graduated from Coral Reef Senior High School. She will be attending Florida State University beginning in the summer.

Adda Gudjandotter – graduated high school from Unidad Educativa Bilingue Delta, with the award of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. She did her junior and senior year abroad in Guayaquil, Ecuador. In the future, she plans to study international relations with a focus on international law and politics.

Mia Tellechea-Choi – Graduated from Ransom Everglades School. During her time at Ransom, she was inducted in the National Honor Society, the French Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society. She was accepted into Florida State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Denver, Bentley University, Fordham University, and Boston University. She will be attending Florida State University majoring in Marketing.

Sawyer O’Keefe – Graduated from Coral Reef Senior High. During her time at Coral Reef she was in the drama magnet program, captain of the lacrosse team sophomore through senior year, and was a part of various school organizations like Best Buddies and the multiple academic honor societies. She will be attending Duke University in the fall.

Jaysan Stinnett – Graduated from Harid Conservatory. He was accepted on a full scholarship for the summer into American Ballet Theater, School of American Ballet, Ellison Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, and Houston Ballet Theatre. He was offered a contact at Sarasota Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and Orlando Ballet.

Fernanda Alvarado – She graduated from high school early from Florida Virtual School at age 16. She was accepted into New World School of the Arts College and will be attending the dance program in the fall.

Peterson Exais – Graduated from New World School of the Arts High School. He will be attending New World School of the Arts College in the fall.

To learn more about the programs our graduates participated in click the button below.

Student Spotlight: Nami Chung-Vastine Awarded First Place at American Ballet Competition

We are so proud to highlight our student Nami Chung-Vastine. She has been dancing with Thomas Armour Youth Ballet since age 6. During her time at TAYB she has performed various roles in our Nutcracker, danced in our annual spring concert, and competed in multiple competitions representing Thomas Armour Youth Ballet. Continue reading this post to learn more about her experience and accomplishments at the American Ballet Competition.

Nami received second place in the Contemporary category with Añoranza Gitana, choreographed and coached by TAYB Ballet and Character instructor Heydi Pinero. Nami was also the recipient of the Toni Lander Marks Scholarship, an award named in honor of the late Danish ballerina and former principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater and London Festival Ballet, and director of Ballet West.  This prize was given to one dancer from across all categories of the competition and is a travel stipend for Nami to return to the American Ballet Competition in 2020.

To learn more about training at Thomas Armour Youth Ballet like Nami click here. 

Thomas Armour Youth Ballet Receives National Accredidation

We are proud to announce that Thomas Armour Youth Ballet has received accreditation, After a three-year self-evaluation process through The Accrediting Commission for Community and Precollegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS).

WHAT IS ACCPAS?

ACCPAS was created by the Council of Arts Accreditation in 2000. Their purpose is to accredit schools providing non-degree instruction in the arts to children, youth and adults.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ACCREDITED?

Accreditation validates the quality of the dance instruction at TAYB and confirms the professionalism and value of all aspects of the organization. During the evaluation process all levels of management, leadership, strategic planning, community outreach, vision, and mission are reviewed.

“The process of taking a hard, detailed look at every aspect of our organization was grueling but highly rewarding,” said Executive Artistic Director Ruth Wiesen. “To be recognized nationally for the quality of our programs and dance instruction is a source of great pride for everyone in the TAYB family.”

“Accreditation provides a framework for future planning and accountability,” said board President Daniel Lewis.  “The observations of outside evaluators and their advice will be invaluable as TAYB moves forward.”

THOMAS ARMOUR YOUTH BALLET HISTORY.

Thomas Armour Youth Ballet is the oldest school of ballet in Miami, founded as The Miami Conservatory by Thomas Armour in 1949.  What started as a scholarship program at the Conservatory for a handful of students in 1987 has grown to encompass TAYB’s main site in South Miami and four neighborhood outreach centers where nearly 1,000 students study dance, are given opportunities to perform, including in the region’s longest-running production of The Nutcracker. Students in the neighborhood centers receive reading, math, music and art instruction, as well as wrap-around services, in addition, to dance every school day and throughout the summer in an all-day camp.

THOMAS ARMOUR YOUTH BALLET’S FUTURE.

TAYB will be expanding its main location and class offerings in the fall of 2020. There will be three new dance studios and a wider variety of dance forms offered.

WHAT ELSE DOES THOMAS ARMOUR YOUTH BALLET OFFER?

In addition to accreditation from ACCPAS, TAYB is licensed as an after-school care facility by the State of Florida’s Department of Children and Families. The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs helps to fund programming in five neighborhoods. TAYB’s four after-school programs are supported by the Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County, Miami Foundation, and other foundations and individual donors.

A collage of high school and college students

TAYB middle school students on their way to success.

Thomas Armour Youth Ballet (TAYB) provides the coaching and training needed to make students competitive applicants for prestigious magnet school auditions. This year TAYB got 16 students into New World School of the Arts and 10 students into Coral Reef, Michael Krop Senior High, Robert Morgan, Zelda Glazer, and more. Keep scrolling to read about all of our student’s accomplishments this year!

Want to learn more about the training these students received? Click here to view a full list of classes offered and our schedule.

STEPHANIE BELL

Stephanie will be attending New World School of the Arts. She was also accepted into Coral Reef High School,  Miami Arts Studio at Zelda Glazer, Miami Senior High School, and Miami Arts Charter.

JAIYA BURCHNELL

Jaiya will be attending Dr. Michael Krop High School. She was also accepted into Northwestern, and William H. Turner Technical Arts High School.

KAYLA CABRERRA

Kayla will be attending Miami Arts Studio at Zelda Glazer. She was also accepted into Law Enforcement Officers Memorial High School.

MIRANDA CARNASE

Miranda will be attending New World School of the Arts. She was also accepted into Coral Reef High School, Miami Arts Charter, Terra, and Miami Arts Studio Zelda Glazer. She is also made the Principal’s Honor Roll, received an award for perfect attendance, and the values matter award.

SOFIA CHANG-TREJOS

Sofia will be attending New World School of the Arts next year. She was also accepted into Sunset High School, Miami Arts Charter, and Miami Arts Studio at Zelda Glazer.

JOYCE FERNANDEZ

Joyce will be attending New World School of the Arts.

LETICIA GARCIA

Leticia will be attending Coral Reef High School. She was also accepted into Miami Arts Studio at Zelda Glazer and Law Enforcement Memorial High School.

SOFIA YAYA HERNANDEZ

Sofia will be attending New World School of the Arts. She was also accepted into Miami Arts Studio at Zelda Glazer and Coral Reef High School.

EMILIE KAISER

Emilie will be attending New World School of the Arts.

KAYLA KERRIGAN

Kayla was accepted into all schools she applied for. She will be attending New World School of the Arts.  Additional accomplishments she’s made this year are making the junior honor roll, becoming student council president, maintaining perfect attendance, and receiving the values matter award for honesty.

NATAIZYA LAGUERRE

Natazia will be attending Dr. Michael Krop Senior High School.

KIARA LASTER

Kiara will be attending Coral Reef High School.

EMMA MARRERO

Emma will be attending International Studies Preparatory Academy but was also accepted into Miami Senior High School, Coral Gables Senior High School.

JOHN MOBLEY

John will be attending New World School of the Arts.

PALOMA ORTEGA

Paloma will be attending Miami Arts Studio at Zelda Glazer for Musical Theater.

ISABELLA PARA 

Isabella was accepted into the Law Program at Coral Reef High School.

KORTNIE RAY 

Law Enforcement Memorial High.

ANIAH SMITH

Anaiya will be attending Coral Reef for the Law Program.

ALEXANDER SOKOLOV

Alexander will be attending New World School of the arts.

SATINE SORENSEN

Satine will be attending New World School of the Arts for Musical Theater.

LARISSA SOUKI

Larissa will be attending New World School of the Arts.

KACEY THOMAS

Kacey will be attending New World School of the Arts.

JAZLYN VALDES

Jazlyn will be attending New World School of the Arts. She was also accepted into Coral Reef, Miami Arts Charter, Zelda Glazer Miami Arts Studio, Arthur Polly May Conservatory of Arts, and Law Enforcement Memorial High.

Master Class With Dancers From Ballet Hispanico

Last week, students at Robert Russa Moton Elementary had the amazing opportunity to be part of a workshop led by Ballet Hispanico Company members.

The workshop was a great change of pace during a week of testing, and a great experience for young artists who not only learned about communicating through movement but also got a glimpse into what it is like to be a traveling performing dancer. Ballet Hispanico is known for their work in communities and the dancers who came to Robert Russa Moton Elementary to work with the students showed a great deal of love and passion for working with young kids. We are grateful to have been able to bring such a wonderful group of professional artists to work with our students.

The workshop was made possible by South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center in collaboration with Thomas Armour Youth Ballet.

If you would like to learn more about Thomas Armour Youth Ballet’s programming please click here.

Spring Concert Blog Series: Aesha Ash

2019’S SPRING CONCERT

In preparation for our Spring Concert on April 6th and 7th, we’ve chosen the graceful Aesha Ash as the next artist of the 1980s to present to spotlight.

ARTIST DESCRIPTION

Aesha Ash started dancing at the age of 5 years old in Rochester, NY because her older sister wanted to dance. Her sister moved on to cheerleading, but Aesha fell in love with jazz and tap, dreaming of performing on Broadway. As she got older, she excelled in competitions, but they caused her a lot of anxiety. When she decided to move away from competing, she found her love for ballet.

That love, however, came with the pain of both overt and implicit expressions of racism. Aesha was a black girl in the predominantly white world of ballet in a suburban area, which made her a target for ridicule. At the age of 14, she moved to New York City to dance at the School of American Ballet which led to her entry to the New York City Ballet. While dancing with them, her father and sister both died of cancer.

Aesha Ash posing for the Swan Dreams Project.

BODY OF WORK

Aesha Ash showing girls in her hometown of Rochester her pointe.

Aesha Ash showing girls in her hometown of Rochester her pointe.

Aesha attended the School of American Ballet, then was corps de ballet in the New York City Ballet. She then went on to become a soloist with the Béjart Ballet in Switzerland for two years before returning to the US, joining the Alonzo King LINES Ballet in San Francisco. She performed with Alonzo King LINES Ballet for three years until her retirement in 2008. Over the course of her dance career, she had a documentary made about her and performed as a dance double in feature films.

 

IMPACT

After her retirement from dancing, Aesha wanted to use her platform to expose young African American girls to ballet. She did so by creating the Swan Dreams Project, a photography series of Ash dancing in low-income neighborhoods and the reactions of locals. According to the Swan Dreams Project’s mission, “Through the use of imagery and my career as a ballet dancer, I want to help change the demoralized, objectified and caricatured images of African-American women by showing the world that beauty is not reserved for any particular race or socio-economic background.” In response to the adversity she faced in the ballet world as a black young woman, the Swan Dreams Project was created to challenge the stereotype of what a ballet dancer looks like.


For more information about TAYB’s Annual Spring Concert click here. 

 

 

 

 

Spring Concert Blog Series: Prince

2019’S SPRING CONCERT

In preparation for our Spring Concert on April 6th and 7th, we’ve chosen Prince Rogers Nelson as the next artist of the 1980s to present to the spotlight.

Prince for V Magazine in 2013.

ARTIST PROFILE

Prince is known for his flamboyant style and emotional ballads. Both of his parents were musicians and he wrote his first song at seven years old. He grew up extremely poor, once saying in an interview that as a child he would stand outside of McDonald’s just to smell the food; at the time of his death in 2016, his net worth was around $200 million.

Prince released his debut album at 19 years old, on which he played all 27 instruments. His philosophy toward music was unique. He disliked working on a piece for too long and constantly wanted to move forward in his music. He claimed to record a new song every day, resulting in an impressive breadth of work.

BODY OF WORK

Prince performing Purple Rain

Prince released a total of 39 albums in his lifetime and one posthumous album. He was a musical force to be reckoned with. In addition to those released albums, there are rumored to be 50 full-length albums of unreleased music in a vault at his private residential compound, Paisely Park.

While he produced the majority of his work as a solo artist, he formed several short-lived bands throughout his career. As a skilled instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, and writer, his work extended to tens of other artists aside from his own impressive discography.

IMPACT

Many artists cite Prince as an influence. He helped shape the sound of 80’s funk through his use of synthesizers and drum machines. Over 50 hit songs by other artists credit him as a songwriter, and he wrote even more under at least four pseudonyms.

It can be argued that Prince’s style was as influential as his music; his outfits and makeup disrupted gender norms and expectations. His style was so key to his artistic persona that he employed ten live-in tailors at Paisely Park. After his death, figures from musical artists to then-president Barrack Obama expressed their admiration and sympathy for the late performer.


For more information about TAYB’s Annual Spring Concert click here. 

 

Alumnus Jasmine Ward’s Performance On The Ellen Show

Jasmine Ward was a student at Thomas Armour Youth Ballet for a decade. Receiving training at the school and participating in annual productions of the Nutcracker. We are proud to highlight all her successes. Read more to see what she’s up to now!

TRAINING BACKGROUND

I grew up training at the Thomas Armour Youth Ballet while also attending New World School of the Arts and performing in the annual Nutcrackers. I then graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis and attended various summer intensives, including ABT New York, Joffrey Chicago, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

RECENT PROJECTS

Since moving to New York two years ago, I’ve danced with the New York Theatre Ballet, Brooklyn Ballet, and Ballet Next. I’ve also played Pecola Breedlove in the Arden Theatre’s Company’s production of “Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye”. I audition often and take dance, voice, and acting classes.

HOW SHE WAS SELECTED FOR FUTURE’S MUSIC VIDEO

I was recommended for the Future music video as a result of the people I’ve met while auditioning. All we knew was that the music video was for a major hip-hop artist. It wasn’t until we were on the location that it was revealed it was for Future.

EXPERIENCE ON THE ELLEN SHOW

The Ellen Show was unexpected. I received a call just one day before flying to LA, and after arriving, the other dancer and I had little time to prepare as we were going to shoot the following day. However, the performance was based on the music video, so we had an idea of what to expect and fortunately, we both kept our costumes. The day of, we had a very short rehearsal, then the cameras started rolling. It all went by very fast, but I enjoy every second of it!

Jasmine is currently working on more projects that we look forward to sharing soon!

To learn more about what our TAYB alumni are up to click here to view our Alumni Update.

 

Spring Concert Blog Series: Basquiat

2019’S SPRING CONCERT

Thomas Armour Youth Ballet is excited to announce that this year’s Spring Concert will be themed in the period of the 1980s to the present! Our Spring Concert will be on April 6th and 7th this year. To prepare for the Spring Concert, we will be publishing a series of blog posts spotlighting different artists of the era.

Self-portrait Basquiat completed in 1983.

ARTIST PROFILE

Jean-Michel Basquiat started as a street graffiti artist in Brooklyn. His parents began taking him to art museums at a young age. As a result, Basquiat came to admire Picasso and Warhol, whose influences are evident in his work. He began selling sweaters and postcards featuring his artwork around New York. As a self-taught artist, his style is raw and emotive. His work is also fiercely political. In his works, he critiqued consumerism and systems of racism.

BODY OF WORK

Untitled (Top Left), Fishing (Top Right), and Grillo (Bottom)

Basquiat incorporated a lot of skulls in his work in a characteristic crayon-like style. He also completed several self-portraits. In his career as an artist, he produced over 1,500 drawings and around 600 paintings.

IMPACT

Basquiat rose to fame with the Neo-Expressionist wave. Much of his work surrounded the exploration of black identity. Not having the representation of royalty to draw from that white Europeans do, he included the motif of a crown in his works to emphasize the power of everyday black people.

One of the goals of his work was to bring black bodies to the visible forefront of the Western cultural canon. He succeeded in doing so, both in his works and in becoming an artistic legend himself.

For more information about TAYB’s Annual Spring Concert click here. 

Why Our Nutcracker Is The Best Holiday Tradition

With so many holiday performances and activities in Miami, it can be hard to choose the best way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Our Nutcracker performance is tried and true! Going on its 42nd year, there are several reasons to choose Thomas Armour Youth Ballet’s magical Nutcracker production.

A White Christmas in Miami

Let our amazing set pieces take you on a journey to a place where it gets below 75 on Christmas Day! From the towering Christmas tree to a magical, snowy forest, it will feel like a real Winter Wonderland. Our show features all-new set pieces and original costuming that create an unforgettable experience.

The Nutcracker Inspires

The Nutcracker has captured the imagination of countless children. Toys come to life and there’s a world made of sweets. But the magic of the Nutcracker goes beyond its story for many dancers, it’s the first production they ever participate in. This cornerstone holiday performance has inspired little dancers for decades!

The Sounds of the Holidays

The Nutcracker wasn’t popular or performed in the US until the 1940s, but its music was world-famous soon after its composition in 1892. The enchanting sound of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is synonymous with Christmas. In addition to the classic sounds of Christmas, hear music inspired by cultures from around the world.

We Capture the Spirit of Christmas Every Year

The Nutcracker opens with a big holiday party, but Christmas is about more than parties and presents. At its core, the Nutcracker is a story about goodwill and compassion. When Clara discovers what Drosselmeier has done to the Nutcracker Prince, she vows to help break the curse.

If you still don’t believe that this is the best holiday experience in Miami, join us in the Miami Dade Auditorium and see it for yourself! Click here to purchase tickets for our performance on Saturday, December 1st.