Summer In New York Program

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Sending advanced students to New York to study in professional summer intensive programs is one of TAYB’s oldest programs and a tradition that continues into its third decade. The opportunity to participate in the “real dance world,” for most, their first time away from home, is a true growth experience and forges long-lasting
connections for a future in dance. They each describe the summer as “life-changing.”

Read letters from students that have participated in the summer in New York program.

READ THE MOST RECENT NEW YORK LETTERS

 

Why Support Thomas Armour Youth Ballet On Give Miami Day?

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Give Miami Day is Miami’s biggest city-wide fundraising 24-hour event with over 600 participating organizations. It is an incredible opportunity to support the causes you most believe in! Here are a couple of reasons to consider supporting Thomas Armour Youth Ballet on Give Miami Day.

Scholarship Programs

Thomas Armour Youth Ballet (TAYB) believes all children regardless of their economic background should have access to the arts. For this reason, TAYB provides scholarships based on financial need rather than giving talent-based scholarships.

Free After School and Summer Programming

Free after-school and summer programming for students ages 5-11 is a huge part of the organization. TAYB’s after-school programming is a comprehensive combination of dance and academics. Participating students receive a variety of dance classes taught by professional teachers, as well as homework assistance, and reading lessons. In the summer months, in addition to dance and reading, students also receive music and art classes!

Dance In New York City Program

Every year Thomas Armour Youth Ballet sends advanced students for a once in a lifetime experience to participate in summer dance programs in New York City. Housing costs, food, and a chaperone are provided to the students for free.

Next Steps Program

After students outgrow our after-school programming we offer them the opportunity to continue their dance training at our main site in South Miami through our Next Steps Program.

Performance Opportunity: The Nutcracker Ballet

Students from all 5 sites ages 8 and up are invited to participate in TAYB’s annual production of the Nutcracker Ballet at no cost! This opportunity allows children to experience what it is like to perform for a large audience in professional costumes on a real stage! There are four performances, one performance that is open to the general public, and three school field trip performances at affordable prices to make the Nutcracker accessible to schools all over our community. Over 6,000 school children see TAYB’s production of the Nutcracker every year.

Proud To Announce Funding From The Miami Foundation & Coral Gables Community Foundation

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Thomas Armour Youth Ballet (TAYB) is proud to announce funding from The Miami Foundation and The Coral Gables Community Foundation to support the Next Steps Program and Stomp Style music classes at our West Coconut Grove site.

The Next Steps Program was created to give students that no longer attend TAYB’s after-school program the opportunity to take more advanced classes once they’ve completed the levels the after-school program offers. Students that choose to participate in the Next Steps Program are offered a partial or full scholarship. Before the Next Steps Program, students would have to solely rely on receiving dance training from their home school or magnet school if offered or they would stop dancing completely. The Next Steps Program also provides assistance in finding transportation and one on one mentoring for college-bound students, especially those who are first in the family to advance beyond high school graduation.

TAYB has wanted to offer a music component at the satellite site summer camps. This summer TAYB will bring music to the kids through Stomp Style Music lessons. Thanks to The Coral Gables Community Foundation this amazing opportunity will be funded and provided to the children free of charge. These music classes will be just one part of a summer camp that includes dance, reading, field trips, and more.

Another big thank you to The Miami Foundation and Coral Gables Community Foundation for making these programs possible! To learn more about Thomas Armour Youth Ballet’s After School program click here.

Miss our Spring Concert? We have you covered!

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If you clicked this post you probably missed our 25th  Spring Concert. Don’t worry we have you covered! Here’s a quick little recap and the full performance video.

GUEST ARTISTS

Our guest artists were incredible! Artists included Francesca Martoccio from Colorado Ballet, Paunika Jones former dancer at Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ayla Weisz Cyr Wheel performer from The Muse in  New York and Miguel Quinones and Steven Vaughn from Open Category Dance Co.

STUDENT PERFORMANCES

Advanced student performances included pieces from our tap team, contemporary team, and our advanced ballet students.

CONCERT THEME

This year’s concert was inspired by art and culture during the 1950s through the 1980s. Rafi Maldonado choreographed a piece to tie in with the theme to music from Motown the Musical.

EXCITING FINISH!

The coda to tie the whole theme together was done to you should be dancing by the BeeGees and the crowd loved it!

Now that you have a little preview sit back and enjoy the show!

WATCH 2017 CONCERT

5 Things You Need To Know About South Miami’s Ballet Summer Intensive

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Deciding on a summer intensive for your young dancer can be a daunting task! Some intensives can provide very little information regarding their class offering and class size, and these are important factors when deciding where your child will invest their time this summer.  After all, you want them to receive REAL dance training. If you are looking for a summer intensive with great classical training Thomas Armour Youth Ballet (TAYB) has you covered!

#1 A variety of classes are offered.

TAYB offers a variety of classes in the summer to expose students to dance genres that may not be familiar with. For the 2018 summer intensive contemporary, jazz, and tap will be offered in addition to all classical ballet classes every day.

#2 Classcal ballet training.

A focus for the summer intensive is definitely offering a variety of dance genres but TAYB also takes pride in its very classical approach. Classical ballet classes are scheduled for every single day of the intensive with a focus on technique, pointe, and variations.

#3 Classes are taught by well-trained faculty, not by children.

All classes at TAYB are taught by highly trained professionals. All ballet classes are taught by our two head ballet teachers Rosario Suarez and Mariana Alvarez that have both danced professionally and have taught for more than 20 years.

#4 Drop-in classes

Students that participate in the intensive are not required to take classes all summer long. TAYB allows families to choose a customized schedule that works for them. This way your child can train but also go on that family vacation you have planned!

#5 Classes are kept small

Summer intensive classes are kept much smaller than other summer intensive class sizes. By keeping the classes small teachers are able to pay attention to each student and give individualized feedback.

LEARN MORE

Emotional Literacy and Meditation – Another way TAYB prepares students to succeed in life.

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Meditation is a hot topic of conversation in today’s world. We are quickly learning of the benefits it brings both at a neurological and emotional level, as well as the positive long-term impact it can have in someone’s life. That is why the practice is becoming more and more common at schools and programs such as TAYB’s After School & Summer Camp programs.

Schools like The Robert W. Coleman Elementary School in Baltimore, MD have been using mindful meditation as an alternative to detention for the past few years. They report that in the last year, they have seen zero suspensions and no suspensions so far this year. And they are not alone, other schools using mindful meditation have shown a dramatic decrease in suspensions, bullying, and fighting as well as an increase in attendance and performance.

Unfortunately, students from underserved neighborhoods don’t always have access to these “in trend” wellness activities as quickly or as consistently as their peers from more fortunate circumstances do. Because we want to level the playing field and ensure all students are ready to face life’s challenges with emotional soundness and an arsenal of tools for dealing with life’s curveballs, TAYB brought in the evidence-based Triumph Program to its Satellite Sites last summer.

As their website explains, “Triumph is a systematic, consistent and simple program that was designed with students and teachers in mind. Triumph takes into consideration the multiple responsibilities educators have, and gives an effortless, easy to use program with limitless benefits for the students and teachers. Designed to help students become goal-oriented, empowered, centered, creative, and socially responsible members of society. It includes a set of tools and strategies to help students get in touch with their unlimited potential to create the extraordinary life they deserve”

Through affirmation and calming 5-minute audios that are easy to implement, students (and staff) are able to settle their mind, find the power within, and rewire their brain with positive phrases and reassuring statements regarding their own self-worth, intelligence, and power!

In under one year of implementing this program at the satellite sites, we are already seeing results! Students from the Morningside K-8 Academy site participated in the filming of a promo video for the program and were interviewed by triumph’s founder Beatriz.

Students were asked questions such as “How do you think the audio helps you”, and “What is your favorite part of the audio” and their answers were amazing and inspiring! Students claimed they are able to manage their emotions, are able to get rid of jitters before tests by recalling the messages in the audio, and are even inspiring their parents to take up meditation!

We are so excited for what is to come as we continue to explore the impact that Triumph and like-minded programs can do on our students and cannot wait to share the promo video with you once it is published!

Click here to learn more about what we do at our outreach after school programs and summer camps.

 

 

What will you see at our Spring Concert?

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Every year Thomas Armour Youth Ballet (TAYB) presents a Spring Concert at New World School of the Arts. The tradition dates back 25 years and we are excited for this year’s lineup!

While our name might make you think otherwise, the concert is not just ballet, but rather a combination of different dance genres and styles!

Want a sneak peek of what you might see if you go? Look no further!

Lively performances from the Tap Team!

TAYB began a tap team in 2011 to give our most advanced and talented tap students the opportunity to perform and perfect their skills.

Excerpts from classical ballets.

It all began with just classical ballet at Thomas Armour Youth Ballet. Classical works are not the full concert anymore but TAYB makes sure to include at least one piece of classical ballet in the concert.

Excerpts from classical ballets.

It all began with just classical ballet at Thomas Armour Youth Ballet. Classical works are not the full concert anymore but TAYB makes sure to include at least one piece of classical ballet in the concert.

Performances from several guest artists.

Many TAYB Alumni go on to perform in professional companies or have careers in dance choreography. Every year TAYB alumni are invited to perform as guest artists in the spring concert. Guest artists have included members of the Martha Graham Company, former Alvin Ailey Company members, dancers from Colorado Ballet, and much more.

The Spring Concert always has a theme from a point in history.

This year’s concert theme is 1950 – 1980. To stick with the theme the 2018 concert will present a Motown ballet and original choreography done to music from movies in the time period by our lead ballet teachers Mariana Alvarez and Rosario Suarez.

Exciting performances by our new Contemporary Team.

TAYB’s fairly new Contemporary Team began about two years ago and now they perform at TAYB’s annual spring concert. The idea for the Contemporary Team is the same as the Tap Team. All pieces performed by the contemporary team will be choreographed by Stephanie Fuentes, former Martha Graham II member.

Now that you know more about the concert you must want your tickets! This concert is at a very intimate venue so make sure to be the first to get them.

5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Going On Pointe

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Ever wonder what it’s like for ballerina’s to go on pointe? Here are five facts about getting those beautiful satin shoes and what it takes to glide across the stage in them!

#1

Pointe shoes are not like street shoes, you can’t just go in and ask for a size 7! Point shoes come in a variety of brands, widths, vamp heights, and most brands have a completely different sizing chart. Pointe shoe fittings can take up to an hour to find the perfect pair.

#2

Even though the pointe shoes are on, it doesn’t mean you can dance on them right away! A common misunderstanding is that once the pointe shoes are on, you automatically know how to dance on them because of prior training. This is completely false! Beginning pointe is like starting all over again. Students start from the beginning learning the basics just with their pointe shoes on. Classes will consist of lots of relevé and élevés at the barre.

#3

Getting pointe shoes takes a lot of preparation. Dancers going on point have to prepare their dance bags with adhesive tape to prevent blisters, nail clippers, needles, and thread to sew ribbons and elastic, rubbing alcohol, and blister pads.

#4

The shoes aren’t the only thing worn when using pointe shoes. In addition to the shoes, most students use toe pads at least when they are first learning how to maneuver the shoes. After years of practice, some dancers choose to continue to use the pads and some decide to ditch the pads altogether.

#5

Students need to have years of training prior to beginning pointe. Most students begin point around 11 or 12 years old if they began training at age 7 or 8.

Learn to dance on them if you dare!

After learning these facts are you up for the challenge of dancing on pointe? Register for classes today.

REGISTER

Have you been backstage at the Nutcracker? Check this out.

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To get everyone through post Nutcracker blues, we decided to give you a peek into the backstage magic of our favorite annual tradition and share few facts that you may not know about!

  • TAYB’s Nutcracker is the longest-running and most diverse production of the Nutcracker in Miami.
  • TAYB welcomes over 10,000 school children every year during the morning week-day performances.
  •  Students from all five sites and the New World School of the Arts begin the audition and rehearsal process all the way in August.

This production of The Nutcracker is no ordinary production of the holiday classic it actually has a mission behind it. Now you know a little about the production and you probably want to see it in action behind the scenes!

Before we show you behind the scenes you should know that students from all five TAYB sites and New World School of the Arts begin the audition and rehearsal process all the way in August.

Now we are backstage! Clowns and Mice backstage getting makeup done and waiting patiently to put on their costumes.

After all the anticipation the curtain finally goes up!

Mice from Nutcracker junior cast watching the senior dancers in the wings.

Snowflakes from senior cast watching principal dancers playing the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier.

A view from Clara and the Nutcracker Prince from the wings during the magical snow scene.

A view of the Harlequin Dolls from backstage.

Clowns getting final corrections from the director right before going on stage for the second act.

Our guest artists Siriu Liu and Rodrigo Almares from Cincinnati Ballet performing the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

To get updates about the Nutcracker and future performances click here.

 

Thomas Armour Youth’s Tap Team Ballet Goes To Their First Tap Festival

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It was an event to remember filled with tap dancing, prizes, smiles, and fun! The Thomas Armour Youth Ballet Tap Team got to attend their first tap festival. The event is called the So-Flo Tap Festival and it is held in Lake Worth, Florida. The festival is produced by the studio owner of That’s Dancing, Andrea Lamaina, and one of the faculty members, Nicole Smith. This festival has been happening annually for the past four years. Faculty members have included, Derick Grant, Jason Samuels Smith, Dormeshia Sumbry Edwards, Ayodele Casel, Maud Arnold, Lee Howard, and more.

This years festival faculty included the legendary Dianne Walker, Melinda Sullivan, Aaron Tolson, Gabriel Winns Ortiz, Debbi Dee, Thommie Retter, and a bonus class by up and coming tapper Sydney Burtis.

Dianne Walker danced with Leon Collins, Jimmy Slyde, Ralph Brown, Buster Brown, Lon Chaney, Chuck Green, Bunny Briggs, and Savion Glover as part of the “Hoofers Line.” Dianne was featured in both the original Paris production and the two-year Broadway run of Claudio Segovia and Hector Orezzoli’s musical Black and Blue. You can see Dianne, as one of the Shim Sham girls, in the movie Tap starring Gregory Hines.

Melinda Sullivan was the first tap dancer to make the Top 10 of So You Think You Can Dance. She was also the first tap all-star in Season 10. Melinda is the recipient of the 2012 Capezio Award for Choreographic Excellence, and she was named among the “25 to Watch” in Dance Magazine.

Aaron Tolson is a national spokesperson for dancewear company SoDanca, a consultant and writer for Dance Spirit Magazine, a Professor of Dance at Plymouth State University and the Boston Conservatory, as well as the assistant choreographer, co-creator, and assistant producer of the acclaimed stage production, Imagine Tap!.

Gabriel Winns Ortiz toured with the critically acclaimed stage show Tap Kids and continues to perform and teach with them, both nationally and internationally. Gabriel now lives in New York City and has worked with many dance companies, including Dorrance Dance, Rumba Tap, and SwingFX.

Debbie Dee is recognized as a Master Teacher in Japan, France, South America, and Canada. Debbi has performed professionally as a Soloist on Broadway, Lincoln Center, Las Vegas, USO shows, and Nightclubs, as well as performing on television and in movies.

Thommie Retter had a three and a half year run on Broadway with, Billy Elliot The Musical. Thommie has students in a variety of Broadway shows including; Matilda The Musical, Annie The Musical, Kinky Boots The Musical, The Assembled Parties, Newsies, Fly, and the US touring company of Billy Elliot The Musical.

Sydney Burtis is a young tapper, 17 years old. She is a Young Arts finalist for 2017. When Sydney was younger she performed in the national Broadway tour of Billy Elliot. You can also see her in the tap documentary Tap World by Chloe and Maud Arnold. Sydney produced the first-ever Orlando Tap Festival this year.

The festival ran for two days, three classes on Friday night and four classes on Saturday. The festival has three different levels. Intermediate/Advanced, Advanced, and Pre-Professional. The younger tap team members, Isabella Carratala, Nami Chung-Vastine, and Amanda Leslie took the Intermediate/Advanced track while Aminah and Naimah Angrand, Destiny Delancy, Victoria Smith, and Tap Team director Natasha Williams took the Pre-Professional track.

One of the best moments of the festival was when Natasha and the Senior members of the Tap Team performed 53, a famous Leon Collins dance, for Dianne Walker. Natasha met Dianne back in 2010 at a Jacob’s Pillow audition in Miami. Natasha was accepted into the first-ever tap program. This was when Natasha took her knowledge of tap to a new level. At this festival, she learned Routine 2, another classic dance that was choreographed by Leon Collins. Later that same year Natasha attended the Boston Tap Festival where Dianne taught 53. Natasha passed these dances along with others to her students. It was a proud moment to have such a legend as Dianne see history being passed down and preserved.

Many awards were given out at the So-Flo Tap Festival. The Tap Team was award ten $100 certificates from Capezio. Destiny Delancy was chosen by Melinda Sullivan to receive a custom pair of Capezio k360 tap shoes. Aminah Angrand was chosen by Debbi Dee to receive a full scholarship to next year’s festival.

The Tap Team plans to attend this festival every year! Students from That’s Dancing will be joining the Tap Team this year for our annual Halloween Show on Sunday, October 29th.

For more information about that Tap Team Halloween Show contact Natasha at natasha.williams.tap@gmail.com