What A Summer: Thomas Armour Youth Ballet’s Outreach Summer Camps 2017

They came, they saw, they danced. Another summer camp season has passed, leaving behind a plethora of memories and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

We welcomed over 250 campers across our four outreach sites this past summer and for the first time ever offered music, art, spoken word, and cooking classes! Of course, with 8 hour days, the kids were still able to participate in reading and dance classes- which by the way,  included Bollywood, Salsa, Flamenco and Musical Theater, Hip-Hop, and West African in addition to ballet, modern, and tap.

Thomas Armour Youth Ballet’s amazing staff went above and beyond to make sure the kids were not too bummed about the reading…. Ms. Deborah turned her classroom into the setting of “The Hideout” novel by Peg Kehret which made her classroom look like a hotel room, enchanting all the students. On some days, they took the books outside and read under a tree while drinking cold lemonade… oh to be 10 again….

As if that wasn’t exciting enough, students participated in field trips to an African Drumming Workshop, the Frost Science Museum, Key Biscayne Nature Center, and Seminole Theater.

Non-field trip days were exciting too though! Campers received visits from Gabie’s Bus, Oral Health Institute, and YES Institute throughout the 8 weeks.

We are so happy with the success of our camps and beyond thrilled about all the memories and friendships that were made all while improving reading scores, gaining life skills, and DANCING.

Still, want to hear more about the summer camp we had this year? Check out the video below!

 

 

Student Spotlight: Monica Delgado Receives Scholarship to Kirov Academy of Ballet

Monica Delgado has been a student with us since she was eleven years old and we are so incredibly proud of how much she has grown as a dancer. Monica competed in the World Ballet Competition in Orlando, Florida this year and this is what she had to say about her experience……

The World Ballet Competition was truly an amazing experience.  All the hard work and preparation has made me a stronger dancer. I met wonderful artists from all around the world and had amazing masterclasses, every day. I was very happy at the end of the competition to receive a year-round and Summer scholarship from the Kirov Academy of Ballet. I want to thank TAYB, staff, parents, students, and most of all Rosario Suarez, for coaching and believing in me every step of the way. I will be going to Cuba, this Summer, to take classes at The Cuban National Ballet,  and with the training, I have received at TAYB, I know I will be confident and well prepared to work with one of the world’s best ballet companies.
Thank you!
Monica Delgado
Would you like to receive the same intensive ballet training Monica has? Learn more about serious training at Armour Dance Theatre.

 

Broadway, Tap, and Contemporary at Miami’s Oldest Ballet School.

New year new classes…. We know you are all excited to sign up so we won’t keep you waiting!

TAP CLASSES

We are bringing new classes this school year, beginning with Tap. Classes start at 5 years of age all the way to advanced tappers. Students in the intermediate and advanced classes will have the opportunity to audition for our Elite Tap Team. Students accepted into the Tap Team will perform at various events and at our annual spring concert. Classes will be taught by the very talented Natasha Williams.

CONTEMPORARY CLASSES

The second class we are bringing in is Contemporary. We will be offering classes for beginners through advanced students. Students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of movements much different from ballet to diversify their repertoire. This class will help students be prepared for any material that might be thrown their way in future auditions. Students in the advanced Contemporary class will have the opportunity to audition for the Contemporary team that performs at various events and at our annual spring concert. Contemporary classes will be taught by Stephanie Fuentes, a former dancer with Martha Graham’s second company in New York, and Kelly Robotham, a former company member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Company.

BROADWAY CLASSES

Last but not least we will be bringing in a Broadway-style Jazz class. This class will not only expose students to another dance form but will also teach them choreography from major Broadway musicals. Read more here. Leonardo Alvarez will be teaching our Broadway-style class. Leo has worked with A Christmas Carol Madison Square Garden, The Video Music Awards with Iggy Azalea, and Disney Orlando.

Like the sound of these classes? Click here to sign up.

Get A Chance To See Our 2017 Spring Concert!

Every year our youth ballet presents a spring concert with excerpts from classical ballets, modern pieces, tap pieces performed by our Tap Team, and original work performed by TAYB Alumni. This year we are giving everyone the opportunity to watch the performance on YouTube and hope you will join us for next year’s spring concert!

 

Our Connect Miami Project At After School Program In Little Haiti

It was a time where students, parents, and staff, worked together on a community project, in a way that was different for everyone. We worked on creating a “sawdust alfombra” meaning a carpet made from sawdust. In several countries, this is an Easter tradition as communities would work together to create a colorful display on specific streets. These are judged for competition (design, colors, how elaborate, creativity) in some Central American countries during “The Holy Week” of Easter bringing many to watch and admire these carpets that sometimes take up many blocks.

At Morningside, we began by coloring the sawdust with food coloring. However, that was insufficient, so we added paint and or dye, to get more vibrant colors. Some little ones added too much water and were saddened when they realized we were not making soup. Sadly, they had to wait a day or two to allow the sun to dry it up. After that, all groups were listening and trying to follow directions to avoid messing up.

When colors were reached that satisfied each group, we put them out to dry in the sun. Days later, instead of using the ground where school children traveled, we built frames so that we could move them after completion. We have three classes and within each class, we had smaller groups of 3-4 students. Then they were charged with a theme and whatever they chose to contribute to that theme, they will design a cardboard mold that the sawdust will go in. Eventually, the PreK-1st grade students used shapes to create a robot or scarecrow, depending on your angle when viewing.

The 2nd – 3rd-grade students depicted a floral arch used as the background for beautiful pictures or a variation of pinwheels if you’re looking from a side angle.

Finally, the 4th-5th grade students had much more to sort out because there were many “chiefs and no Indians.” Eventually, they designed a colorful sign with the letters: TAYB. The landscape surrounding it merged many colors to exhibit the diversity and unity among them; yet, their freedom to innovate. The last box was an abstract design to complete our carpet.

There were happy times and frustrating moments; clean areas and messy, dirty workstations; Ms. Deborah had a lot of dirty clothes while Ms. Judith did not enjoy sawdust in her hair and face. Mr. Jacques’s fingers stiffened from stapling cardboard shapes and Mr. Bernard sunburnt from building the frames. Ms. Jeanette was snapping pictures while monitoring those argumentative moments when group members were trying to abandon one group for another that looked more successful at that moment. Finally, Ms. Dashon, created the banner by having all students, parents, and staff, trace one hand and decorate it, promoting that connection.

Several parents helped along the way in various ways and everyone had fun. The best part was the big smile when that finished product was displayed.  Almost daily, some students are asking when will we do it again while others suggested, let’s do it for Christmas. Regardless of the next time, clearly, our sawdust creations conceived memories that will linger for ages, big and small, proudly show off to any person entering the premises of TAYB Morningside.

 

Ransom Everglades Graduate Overcomes Tragedy With Help of School by Kyra Gurney at the Miami Herald

Mya Wright is a shining example of the adage that it takes a village to raise a child. In Mya’s case, that village is Ransom Everglades School, Where the 17-year-old graduated on Friday after seven years marked both by tragedy and by her determination to succeed no matter what. Read more. 

La temporada para ‘El Cascanueces’ By Olga Connor, El Nuevo Herald

Esta primera semana de diciembre comienza a presentarse en todo Estados Unidos el espectáculo favorito de niños y mayores de la época navideña, El Cascanueces. Read more. 

Un Cascanueces Multitudinario, Desenvuelto y Divertido by Orlando Taquechel, El Nuevo Herald

Para comenzar, hay que reconocer el impresionante poder de convocatoria de Thomas Armour Youth Ballet (TAYB). Las inclemencias del tiempo no fueron obstáculo para que la función del ballet Cascanueces que tuvo lugar el sábado pasado en el Miami-Dade County Auditorium experimentara un lleno completo. Read more. 

The Thomas Armour Youth Ballet’s Nutcracker By Guillermo Perez, Artburst

The December holidays are approaching and along with them, as sure as thicker waists and thinner wallets, The Nutcracker. Big-scaled or modest, all local or propped up by imported talent, there’s a production of America’s most popular ballet to suit any taste. But please don’t take the predictable assortment for granted or chuckle too readily at insider jokes: Who quipped that every Christmas just finds us another Nutcracker closer to death? Going to watch this dance is one of our few artistic and cultural rituals, which not only keeps studios busy and theaters full but also bolsters time-tested values. Read more. 

Dance Legend Arthur Mitchell Tours Miami’s Dance Community by Nadege Green, WLRN/Herald News

Dance icon Arthur Mitchell is sitting in the dance studio at Dr. Michael Krop Senior Highschool in Notheast Miami-Dade. He’s 81 year’s old. And even seated, he has the presence of a dancer. Read More.