Photo credits from left to right:
1. Photo by Mark Andrews Images.
2. Ashley Bouder teaching Ballet in the City class at Saratoga City Ballet. Photo by April Singleton.
3. NYCB Dancer Megan LeCrone teaching Ballet in the City class at Saratoga City Ballet. Photo by April Singleton.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — For the second year, Saratoga City Ballet will host a summer filled with ballet activities for all ages.
“This summer we have a bunch of programs and we do have programs for ages three to adult. For the first time this year we’re doing the story book ballet camp,” said Traci Jersen, President of the Saratoga City Ballet Board.
For young dancers ages three to six the program called Storybook Ballet will provide the young dancers to engage in stories such as Coppelia and Sleeping Beauty through the art of dance. The course is taught by the founder of Story Dance Studios, Jen Manino.
“Jen does a whole program where she’s reading the story to them. She uses props, she does a craft around the ballet, has the music from the ballet, has some older students demonstrating some steps for the kids, making tutus - It’s not just about the dance itself, it’s about teaching them the story,” said Jersen.
In addition, there will be a variety of classes for all levels, for ages seven through adult. The master classes will be taught by an Ohio-based not-for-profit company called Ballet in the City. Their objective is to introduce ballet to cities throughout the country. This year New York City Ballet (NYCB) principal dancers Megan Lacrone, Ashley Bouder, Sarah Merns, and Harrison Ball will be teaching.
NYCB will not only have their dancers teaching courses, they will be performing at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) for the NYCB Gala on July 20.
“Ballet in the City is also going to the ballet gala this year which they did last year… Ballet in the City has choreographed a piece that our dancers will be dancing in,” said Jersen. “Different dance programs across the capitol region on the lawn party will be dancing. It’s a really great opportunity for students of dance throughout the community to participate in the ballet gala.”
For any questions on taking part in this artistic opportunity, visit saratogacityballet.com.
