Myers Dance Center, Northeast Ballet See Continued Success
SARATOGA SPRINGS – For the last four years, Darlene Myers has taught dance to students from the Saratoga area through her studio, Myers Dance Center. Offering classical ballet, pointe, jazz, modern and pas de deux classes – Myers’ studio is a training ground for both aspiring and accomplished dancers; however, Myers’ reach extends beyond the Spa City.
Myers, a Saratoga County native, opened her first dance studio in Schenectady in 1985 after coming home from her professional dance career with Pennsylvania Ballet. Upon returning to Saratoga, she taught dance classes at SUNY and Union College, but decided to open her own school of dance.
“What I was missing was creating young dancers from scratch,” said Myers. “I was working with dancers who had come from schools of their own from all over the country, of course, who had come to SUNY and Union…I wanted to start with young students.”
After starting the school and finding success as a studio owner and teacher, Myers started her own ballet company, which she named the Northeast Ballet Company. The company has been serving the Capital District since 1990 and has been the resident company of the historic Proctor’s Theater since 1991. Fast forward 20 years later, Myers decided to expand her school in Saratoga Springs, which opened in 2011.
While the Northeast Ballet Company is known for their annual sold-out productions of the Nutcracker, performed at Proctor’s during the holiday season, along with their performances at the Hall of Springs and SPAC – to name a few – the company is currently rehearsing for a performance with a more contemporary feel to it.
Their upcoming performance, “Before & Beyond Dance Concert,” takes place Saturday, April 11 at 8 p.m. in the GE Theatre at Proctor’s.
“It’s been very different for the dancers, they’ve grown a great deal and it’s been very good for them,” said Myers. “I’m pleased that my Board of Directors has allowed me to do this. It has really expanded the company and that’s really what I wanted to do because we’re known for our Nutcracker, but I want us to be known for other things, too…so this is my foyer into that. I want to be able to do a spring show that showcases other kinds of movement.”
The concert features contemporary dance works created by guest choreographers Matt Pardo, Ruben Graciani and Alexandra Lindsay. On the program will also be a new collaborative work co-created by Myers herself and Richard Lovrich, a master of the written word and photographic fame.
“It’s new music, it’s a new story, its new movement,” said Myers. “It’s been very exciting for all of us.”
While Myers has been busy preparing for the Before & Beyond Dance Concert, her work doesn't stop once the curtains have closed; she will begin preparations for the Myers Dance Recital for her students and the Myers Ballet School Summer Intensive.
Myers is accepting new students at both of her studios. For more information, visit myersnortheast.org. To purchase tickets for the Before & Beyond Dance Concert, visit proctors.org.
