DANJ News Now and Then
Click to view our latest print ad ==> DANJ September 2011
Whitney's music inspired many of us. Her art touched many of us in the dance world -- as you can see from this moving interpretation of "I Will Always Love You" choreographed by Angelica Stiskin and danced by Taylor Shelly.
Our DANJ dancers performed in the 'Stand Up To Cancer' dance concert to help raise money for this important cause. The performance was held on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 5PM at the Mount Olive HS Performing Arts Center.
Chaz Buzan led a packed master class at the inaugural session of "Master Class Fridays." Over 30 dancers ranging in age from 12 to 19 from many NY Metro dance studios joined together for his inspiring class. Everyone left looking forward to Chaz's next visit.
Our certified Zumba instructors, Reena and Bhavna, led a fun-filled trial class. We are in the process of compiling your replies regarding preferred days and times. We will be communicating shortly with additional information
Jess was in town on October 4th, 2011 with the SYTYCD tour at the Prudential Center. Jess has been a mentor to many of our I'm Broadway Bound students. He joined our cast of Bye-Bye-Birdie during the Summer Stars Program hosted by Sandy Taylor and Danny Arnold.
DANJ was invited to perform in the 2nd annual "Another Impression" benefit dance concert at Symphony Space in NYC. DANJ's National Overall Champion routine, "Heavy Heart", was presented, as was "Odile", choreographed by a member of our student faculty, Amelia Lowe. Another Impression was the second annual fundraising event for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The concert featured industry leading studios and artists such as The Phoenix Project Dance Theater, Chaz Buzan, Peter Mazurowski (Billy Elliot), Juliette Allen Angelo (Mary Poppins, Billy Elliot), Alicia Monaco and Co. and many others.
Summer Stars, DANJ's summer Broadway Bound program finished off the summer season with a powerful performance of Grease. The cast was joined by Juliette Allen Angelo, Broadway cast member of Mary Poppins and Billy Elliot and one of DANJ's Broadway Bound mentors. Congratulations to everyone involved. Stay tuned for photos and video (anyone with photos or video they would like us to post should email or bring them to the studio).
Summer Stars, DANJ's summer Broadway Bound program kicked off the season with a stunning performance of Bye-Bye-Birdie. The cast was joined by Jess LeProtto, Broadway cast member of Bye-Bye-Birdie and one of DANJ's Broadway Bound mentors. Congratulations to everyone involved. Stay tuned for photos and video (anyone with photos or video they would like us to post should email or bring them to the studio).
Tap master class workshops were conducted for intermediate and advanced level tappers. Each workshop consist of three 1-hour classes. The classes covered many elements and styles of tap including: Rhythm TAP, Theatre TAP, Tricks & Slides, Improvisation and Tap History. Tap the Map's world class faculty for these sessions was: Anthony Russo, Jumaane Taylor, Chris Erk and Jason Luks.
So You Think You Can Dance executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe proposed that July 31 be declared "NATIONAL DANCE DAY." His goal was to “prove that the ‘Power of Dance’ can MOVE an entire Country!” He asked everyone, "young and old," to "get up off the couch and put on your dancing shoes on July 31st." "Individuals, families, organizations and communities from across the nation" were invited to come together through their creative expression in dance. Nigel's goals are to continue to generate national awareness for dance, a medium of expression and storytelling which, through shows like So You Think You Can Dance, has proven its value in bringing individuals from all walks of life together through a positive platform that has no boundaries and cultivates imagination and passion. Most importantly, the day was intended to promote health and wellness nationwide.
So You Think You Can Dance’s Hip Hop choreographers, Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo, created a short Dizzy Feet Foundation dance routine specifically for Dance Day. To support SYTYCD's call to all Americans, The Dance Academy of North Jersey hosted a special event for dancers of all ages to come and learn the Hip-Hop routine.
DANJ Sponsors "Impressions: An Evening of Dance" to benefit The American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation
The Dance Academy of North Jersey was one of the principal sponsors of the evening. The back page of the program displayed the following Synergy Dance Alliance announcement (SDA is a DANJ affiliate):
On Thursday, August 26, 2010, Joelle Cosentino, in association with Milk and Champagne Productions, presented: "Impressions: An Evening of Dance" at Symphony Space in Manhattan. The show featured Complexions Contemporary Ballet performing excerpts from "On Holiday", featuring the music of Billie Holiday, Chaz Buzan Dancing in National Choreographer award winner's Joelle Cosentino's new piece "The Light" (Amber Perkins School of the Arts Winner - 2010 American Dance Awards) and many more. Each piece in the show was dedicated to someone the dance community has lost to cancer or is battling the disease currently. The line up of performances included our own Jason Luks - shown below dancing to "I Think I'm In Love."
DANJ is proud to offer Master Classes with Teddy Forance. Teddy has performed with Cirque du Soleil, toured internationally with Bad Boys of Dance, choreographed music videos, assisted choreographer Mia Michaels on Fox TV's "So You Think You Can Dance," danced in a motion-capture sequence for the "Shrek" movie and toured with Janet Jackson.
The Dance Academy of North Jersey is proud to announce its sponsorship of this exciting new program being introduced by the Jefferson Township Recreation Department in collaboration with Performing Hearts. Starting this summer, DANJ will host classes and provide instructors. The classes will include creative rhythm movement to Broadway music and pop-chart favorites. Styles will include elements of ballet, jazz and percussive dance and the use of props. Read the online AIM story published June 11, 2010.
On Saturday, June 5th, Jefferson Township's Mayor Russell Felter joined Sandy and Elaine to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking The Dance Academy of North Jersey's Grand Re-Opening. The event also featured the official launch of DANJ's sponsorship of the Jefferson Township's Performing Hearts Challenger Dance program (visit www.performinghearts.com for more information). The mayor toured our updated facilities including our new student lounge and remodeled parent waiting area.