UPCOMING: URBAN DANCE/ EXTREME MOVEMENT IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCE!
The Rock School is thrilled to announce that the first Urban Dance/ Extreme Movement In-Studio Performance will take place at the end of Parent Observation Week (Jan. 23 - Jan. 28, 2012).
Parents, students, friends, family and interested parties are welcome to join us on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 12:30-1:30pm in Studio B (4th floor), for an opportunity to observe UDEM class material, see special performances by Rock School students and instructor Vincent Johnson, and a special guest appearance by prominent hip-hop performer, Tyger B.
This performance is an exclusive opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes in The Rock School studios. If you are interested in attending this performance, please RSVP to the Facebook event by clicking here.
MORE ABOUT URBAN DANCE/ EXTREME MOVEMENT
The Rock School for Dance Education is expanding their breadth of programs with The Rock Dance Project. Known for impeccable ballet training, The Rock School is shaking things up with the emergence of new dance classes and concentrations. Directors Bojan Spassoff and Stephanie Wolf Spassoff are working with Philadelphia native and movement expert, Vince Johnson to create a program unlike any other.
Johnson is no stranger to The Rock School. The Philadelphia native began his professional dance career in high school, working his way into principle roles under the guidance of Rennie Harris at The Pure Movement Institute. While earning his B.A. at Villanova University, Johnsons took up instructing hip-hop classes at Rock West. Upon sitting and chatting with Johnson in the ‘R’ Café, it is hard to imagine how someone who has had great success, performed on the stage, danced in corporate and industrial arenas, and even pioneered his own performance company could be so laid back and modest. His kind and down-to-earth nature is contagious and his passion for dance is evident the moment he starts discussing the new Urban Dance/ Extreme Movement class at The Rock School.
“The Urban Dance class is truly unique to our program at Rock. The class is so different and has such potential to create a significant impact because it provides a diverse range of people with a platform to dance,” Johnson boasts.
According to the martial arts, acrobatics, and movement master, hip-hop encompasses many factors that most people never consider. The Urban Dance class is continually evolving and developing as the class grows in popularity and The Rock School directors work with Johnson to develop a curriculum and instate benchmarks for student progress. The class offers students a disciplined but free-spirited platform to experiment with a wide range of movement styles, draw from different sources of inspiration, implement elements of acrobatics and martial arts, as well as work with improvisation and theatrical techniques.
“I want to teach my students more than just how to regurgitate steps. Since the class is really it’s own entity, I can create an atmosphere and lessons to promote free expression with refinement and control. For me, teaching the students in my class how to build physical and mental awareness, improve their perceptions of time and space, and understand movement is most important,” Johnson professes.
In order to create the unique atmosphere in the studio, Johnson draws from his experiences with hip-hop, movement, conceptual art and even ballet. The Urban Dance/ Extreme Movement class is relevant in our setting and provides students with the opportunity for more inventive, confident, atypical performance art. Whether performing, instructing, or reflecting, Johnson follows the philosophy that “dance is like a tool or a piece of fabric that is meant to become part of a much larger body of work, beyond the literal.”
The Urban Dance/ Extreme Movement class offers students a gateway to express themselves healthily and confidently. Since the class covers such a broad repertoire of skills, Johnson hopes that students will be able to gain new abilities and discover deep talents within themselves, self-awareness, and confidence that can be carried into aspects of their lives outside of the studio.
For more information about Vince Johnson and Urban Dance/ Extreme Movement class schedules and programming, please visit the program website or email The Rock School at rdp@therockschool.net.
Rock School Students Make a Splash
Our diverse and talented group of dancers is usually spotted doing pirouettes across the stage or studying hard in the Rock Center RAPA classrooms. However, everyone can use a break now and then for some fun in the sun. Board Chairman, Caro Rock, and Board Vice Chairman, Bob Rock, hosted the Rock School’s annual pool party for students and staff last September.
Caro and Bob graciously open their house to welcome the Rock School students every year in an effort to ease the new performers into the rigorous program, meet the kids, and to allow the students to have some fun together out of the studio. The couple has been hosting the party for almost 10 years and is always amazed by the energy, the passion and the drive that the students exhibit. The young performers are so dedicated to fulfilling their dreams and the Rocks love to do what they can to help the students achieve their goals.
“Bob and I were delighted to host the Rock School conservatory group, over 50 strong, at our home this September for a pool party! It is always a treat to meet students from all over the world who come to the Rock School to receive the highest quality dance instruction around! We make it a point to ask each one where they are from and where they heard about the Rock School. It seems the School’s excellent reputation for both talented faculty and superior training is what attracts these dancers the most,” Caro Rock remarks.”
As the Philadelphia air turns crisp and dancers are hard at work in preparation for up-coming events, such as Nutcracker 1776 to be performed in early December, hopefully these sunny memories will brighten up their day.
Rock students, Kelia Ideishi, Lucas Bilbro, and Jake Casey enjoy some refreshments and a poolside chat. “The annual pool party is great. It’s fun to meet the new students and mingle. Usually we are all so focused on school and ballet, so it’s nice to relax and hang out with each other outside of the studio,” says Rock School junior, Kelia Ideishi.
The Rock School Board Chairman, Caro Rock, welcomes Lauren Carfolite and other students to her home for a fun afternoon of fun in the sun.
Friends in the classroom, in the studio, and in front of the camera, Abigail Kurdin and Cecilia Hoffmann stop to pose before taking a dip in the pool.
The Rock School students and staff take a moment in between tasty food, outdoor activities, and swimming games to gather in celebration of the start of a new school year that is sure to be full of learning, practice, and great performances.
The Rock School introduces a new class beginning Fall 2011: Urban Dance | Extreme Movement, a part of Rock Dance Project. This video is a sneak peek of what to expect from the new program. This new program won’t affect current classical ballet students, but is simply an addition to The Rock School’s dance offerings and another option for our students.
VISIT therockschool.org/rdp for more information about class schedule & tuition.
URBAN DANCE carries the spirit and technique of Hip Hop, while taking influence and incorporating other dance styles and accompanying genres of
music. It is a bridge between the many places that dance is found in a
bustling city whether on screen, stage, in the street, house or club. Familiar styles and techniques can be mixed or transformed, even new dance forms created.
EXTREME MOVEMENT encompasses skills from sports that involve tremendous feats with the body, primarily without apparatus. Extreme Movement focuses on skills from martial arts
tricking, capoeira, free running, break dance and tumbling. Skills and maneuvers from these disciplines are incorporated uniquely into dance choreography and performance.
URBAN DANCE | EXTREME MOVEMENT is part of ROCK DANCE PROJECT, which creates opportunities for individuals with different education and specialities to perform and learn together, while also providing an excellent starting point for new comers in the experience of dance and athletics.
QUESTIONS? Please email us at RDP@therockschool.net with any inquiries specific to our Urban Dance | Extreme Movement class or Rock Dance Project.
Dance instruction in Urban Dance | Extreme Movement brought to you by Philadelphia’s own Vince Johnson.
Congratulations 2011 Rock School RAPA Seniors!
The Rock School’s RAPA graduation (academic) will be held on the evening of Wednesday, June 8th, at 7 p.m. in Studio A. This year, four seniors will graduate: Alex Hartnett, Jess Frazier, Tory Muth, and Victoria Starbuck. They will perform dance solos, speak at the podium about their Rock School experiences, and receive diplomas from Rock School directors Bo and Stephanie Spassoff. A catered reception will follow in the R Café.
Alexandra Hartnett
2011 RAPA Graduate
Next Step: Ballet Arizona
Jessica Frazier
2011 RAPA Graduate
Next Step: SUNY Purchase College
Tory Muth
2011 RAPA Graduate
Next Step: George Washington University
Victoria Starbuck
2011 RAPA Graduate
Next Step: University of the Arts
Photos: Artistic Advisor - Violette Verdy
As a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, Violette Verdy danced in more than 25 starring roles and was the favorite of great choreographers George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and many more.
Verdy has made leaps and bounds with her buoyant style and grace. She was the very first female artistic director of the Paris Opera Ballet and among her countless honors and accomplishments, she holds the title of Chevalier (Knight) in France’s National Order of the Legion of Honor, France’s Highest decoration, awarded to her in June of 2009.
It is no doubt that Violette Verdy is one of the premier ballerinas of our time, and The Rock School is honored to have such a maestro of classical ballet as its Artistic Advisor.
Enjoy some photos of Violette Verdy teaching the upper level students at The Rock School.
(from left to right) President & Director - Bojan Spassoff, Director - Stephanie Spassoff, Artistic Advisor - Violette Verdy, Artistic Faculty - Natasha Zeiger
Want to see even more photos of Violette Verdy teaching at The Rock School? Check out The Rock School’s Flickr Page, by clicking here.
Photos: Dynamics of Dance at Andrew Jackson School
The Rock School’s outreach program, RockReach, visits participating schools throughout the metropolitan area to demonstrate and present classical ballet and contemporary dance. RockReach calls these school visits “Dynamics of Dance,” during which student dancers from The Rock School get to share their love for dance with young students all over the city of Philadelphia. Rock School Faculty member Gabriele Guma lead the dancers through barre work and warm ups in front of the students at the Gesu School. Guma also explained some of the history of ballet to the young audience and opened the floor for a Q&A after The Rock School students performed. Enjoy photos from The Rock School’s visit to Andrew Jackson School below:
Photos: Dynamics of Dance at Gesu School
The Rock School’s outreach program, RockReach, visits participating schools throughout the metropolitan area to demonstrate and present classical ballet and contemporary dance. RockReach calls these school visits “Dynamics of Dance,” during which student dancers from The Rock School get to share their love for dance with young students all over the city of Philadelphia.
Rock School Faculty member Gabriele Guma lead the dancers through barre work and warm ups in front of the students at the Gesu School. Guma also explained some of the history of ballet to the young audience and opened the floor for a Q&A after The Rock School students performed.
Photos: Dynamics of Dance at The Philadelphia School
The Rock School’s outreach program, RockReach, visits participating schools throughout the metropolitan area to demonstrate and present classical ballet and contemporary dance. RockReach calls these school visits “Dynamics of Dance,” during which student dancers from The Rock School get to share their love for dance with young students all over the city of Philadelphia.
Rock School Faculty member Gabriele Guma lead the dancers through barre work and warm ups in front of the students at the Philadelphia School. Guma also explained some of the history of ballet to the young audience and opened the floor for a Q&A after The Rock School students performed.
Enjoy some photos from The Rock School’s visit to The Philadelphia School:
Want to see more photos? Check out The Rock School’s flickr page for more photos.
Curtis Institute Rehearsal
In preparation for our 20th Annual Gala Benefit, this Saturday, April 30th, The Rock School sat in during a Curtis Institute Rehearsal last week. For the third consecutive year, The Rock School and the Curtis Institute will be collaborating an original composition with original choreography that will be showcased at the annual Rock School Benefit.
Curtis student Gabriella Smith has composed a dramatic piece featuring two percussionists and two grand pianos! Rock School faculty and Rock West Ballet Mistress Jennifer Wheat has created beautiful choreography for our dancers to follow that will accompany Smith’s music.
Stay tuned. Later this week, the Curtis musicians and composer Gabriella Smith will be rehearsing in The Rock School studios with our dancers and choreographer Jennifer Wheat.
Please enjoy photos from the Curtis/ Rock School collaboration rehearsal below:
Composer - Gabriella Smith turns the pages for one of her pianists
Haverford School Boys take Ballet at The Rock School!
The Rock School and the Haverford School have a student exchange for a day twice a year. This video features part II of our exchange when the Haverford School boys learn what it takes to be a ballet dancer.
During part I, The Rock School paid the Haverford School a visit and performed on the stage of Centennial Hall. After the performance, students from both schools were paired up for the day to experience the differences and similarities between a ballet conservatory school and a prepatory all boys school.
Guest Teacher: Sergio Torrado
Sergio Torrado is a regular guest teacher here at The Rock School! You may recognize Mr. Torrado from his role in the oscar nominated film Black Swan that won Natalie Portman an academy award for best actress. Mr. Torrado played the black swan aside Ms. Portman.
Enjoy some photos of Mr. Torrado teaching our students in our studios:
Since the beginning of his professional career, Mr. Torrado has danced lead roles in classic ballets both in Spain and in the United States, including Basilio in Don Quixote, Albretch in Giselle, and the pas de trios in Swan Lake. Torrado’s Balanchine works include Sanguinic in The Four Temperaments, Allegro Brillante, Ballo Della Regina, Serenade, Emeralds in Jewels, and the Prince and Snow King in The Nutcracker. He has also performed in many ballets by contemporary choreographers like Peter Martins’s The Waltz Project, Hans Van Manen’s Grosse Fugue, and others by Helgi Tomasson, Christopher Wheeldon, Jerome Robbins, Yuri Possokhov and Mark Morris. Mr. Torrado has received several awards, including First Prize in the 1st International Competition of Zaragoza in Spain in 1997, Silver Medal at the 3rd International Competition of Havana, Cuba, and The Promising Young Dancer Award at the Dance Festival of Vignale, Italy. In June 2003, he performed the pas de deux from Giselle and the Grand Pas in Classic at the Gala for Stars from San Francisco.
Announcement: Spring Break April 18th - 25th
Just a reminder that The Rock School will be CLOSED from Monday, April 18 - Monday, April 25th, 2011. All Classes and Rehearsals will resume on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011.
In the News: Lauren Carfolite named YAGP 2011 Grishko Model Search Winner!
Congratulations to Rock School dancer Lauren Carfolite! Lauren not only made it to the final round during YAGP NYC Finals, she was also just named the YAGP 2011 Grishko Model Search Winner!Below are some photos that Grishko has posted to their twitter feed:
