Local Dance School Faculty And Students Excel At National Dance Workshop
Posted
Staff Report-
CHICAGO – Faculty and students from Debra Collier's School of Dance in Warsaw attended the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters’ annual Ballet Forum, Dance and More, Training School and Convention, held at the Doubletree Chicago in Oak Brook, Ill. Studio owner and CNADM President Debra Collier, MDE, all of her faculty members and students ranging from novice to advanced, attended the various workshops to improve their skills in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and modern dance. The attendees received instruction from a faculty of renowned dance professionals. The week was filled with special activities to celebrate the organization’s 100th anniversary. More than 450 people gathered to celebrate the anniversary at the Centennial Banquet. The banquet opened with a special performance by Dance and More students, including five DCSD students, choreographed by Jeremy Plummer. Plummer, a Chicago-based choreographer, CEO of C5, a dance and aerial acrobatics company, and former DCSD student was also the choreographer for a video of students performing at various Chicago landmarks. The commemorative video was shot in summer 2011 and debuted at the banquet. Students attending the CNADM Ballet Forum presented newly commissioned pieces at the Ballet Gala. DCSD students Grace Robison, Abby Gibson and Annie Petro were each selected for special variations for the performance. Robison was also selected as a Merit Scholarship Honorable Mention for her work and performance as part of the Forum. DCSD faculty member Alexis Laureano became a member of CNADM after successfully completing written and demonstrative testing in ballet, tap and jazz. “As dance educators, we take seriously our responsibility for the proper development of each of our students. Attending the CNADM workshops enables us to learn the newest teaching techniques, theories, dance styles and choreography,” said studio owner Debra Collier. “I am proud of the accomplishments of our staff and their focus of advancing their skills as educators.” Members of Class Act Dance Troupe, a non-profit dance company affiliated with the studio, also participated in the CNADM student competition. Senior troupe members Stephanie Anderson, Alexis Laureano, Sarah Mills and Grace Robison placed first, as well as first place over-all, with the jazz piece “Someone Like You”, choreographed by Kristina Collier. Laureano and Mills also received first place for their duet “Shameless” choreographed by Plummer. For additional information, contact the studio at 574-267-7055 or visit collierdance.com
