January 2012
2 posts
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UPCOMING: URBAN DANCE/ EXTREME MOVEMENT IN-STUDIO...
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...
November 2011
1 post
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...
June 2011
2 posts
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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...
May 2011
4 posts
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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...
12 tags
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...
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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...
11 tags
Photos: Dynamics of Dance at The Philadelphia...
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...
April 2011
5 posts
18 tags
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...
9 tags
Haverford School Boys take Ballet at The Rock...
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...
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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:
...
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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.
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In the News: Lauren Carfolite named YAGP 2011...
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:
March 2011
7 posts
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Alumni News: Zhao Wan Ting Gets a Corps Contract...
Former Rock School student Zhao Wan Ting, originally from Beijing Academy, now with San Francisco Ballet School has just been offered a Corps contract with San Francisco Ballet!
From a parent, “The list went up as to who is being given SFB Corps contracts for next season and Wan Ting’s name is on it.”
Photos of Wan Ting while she was here with us in Philadelphia:
Merde, and...
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Alumni News: Isaac Hernandez moving up at San...
Former Rock School student Isaac Hernandez is quickly moving up in the company at San Francisco Ballet.
Press: “Isaac Hernandez as Franz in Coppelia”
A sudden cast change in the current performances of Coppelia with San Francisco Ballet placed Isaac Hernandez as Franz opposite Vanessa Zahorian as Swanhilda March 24. By coincidence both dancers were at the Jackson Competition in 2006...
8 tags
The Rock School at the Philadelphia Flower Show
The night before the Philadelphia Flower Show opening, Rock School dancers performed during the Black Tie preview for members of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society and other Flower Show VIP’s.
Our students performed a Can Can ensemble and an original pas to Edith Piaf’s La Vie En Rose to match the 2011 Flower Show theme of “Springtime in Paris”. Rock dancers...
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Resident Outing: Curtis Institute Student Recital
We took our resident students out for the evening to attend the 52nd student recital offered by the Curtis Institute on Wednesday, March 2 at 8p.m. in the Field Concert Hall. Our students experienced an evening filled with Camille Saint-Saëns, Luigi Boccherini, Franz Liszt, Max Bruch, and Karl Pilss. It was an opportunity to see the talented young musicians at the Curtis Institute, but we also...
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The Rock School and Haverford School Exchange
The Rock School and the Haverford School hold an exchange of students and academic ideals twice every year. During the first leg of the bi-annual exchange, Rock School academic students (RAPA) in addition to numerous other Rock dancers visit the Haverford School and perform on stage for the entire school. The performance ranges from classical ballet to contemporary dance with original...
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In the News: Derek Dunn guest performs at the 8th...
Derek Dunn, a dancer and student with The Rock School since 2010, was asked to perform at the Atlanta Ballet Fest, an affiliate of Dance Fest Incorporated. The Festival ran from March 11-13th, and Dunn was scheduled as the main guest performer. Congratulations Derek for all your hard work.
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In the News: Derek Dunn invited to perform in YAGP...
Rock Dancer Derek Dunn was invited to perform during YAGP’s first ever workshop entitled, “How Judges Judge” that was held at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. The workshop was recorded and is available to watch online here. Derek performed choreography by YAGP’s very first Grand Prix winner in 2000, Ashley Canterna.
February 2011
3 posts
6 tags
RockReach: Chester Community Charter School...
Check out these talented 1st Graders from Chester Community Charter School! These students know all of the vocabulary and the movements that go along with what is written on the board behind them!
*Please Click on the Photo to enlarge
Photo by proud RockReach Residency teacher Christina Patchell, who teaches these first graders ballet and dance on a weekly basis! Mrs. Patchell is a faculty...
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New Bern Ballet Students!
Congratulations!
We can’t wait to see you during our 2011 Summer Ballet Intensive!
These 4 New Bern Ballet students ages 9-12 in New Bern, North Carolina auditioned at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts on January 23rd for The Rock School’s 2011 Summer Ballet Intensive! Students auditioning during The Rock School’s 18 city national audition tour find out...
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Resident Assistant Bridget on Who Wants to be a...
We let our students leave class early to watch their RA Bridget win it big on Who Wants to be a Millionaire! Bridget filmed for the show back in October, but she wasn’t allowed to say a thing until the show aired on January 25th.
It was a nice break in the day for our students and staff. Congratulations Bridget!
January 2011
6 posts
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Taylor Stanley: Polyphonia Debut with NYCB
Congratulations to former Rock School student Taylor Stanley! He will be making his debut in Christopher Wheeldon’s “Polyphonia” with New York City Ballet tonight!
You might remember when Stanley came to visit us during our 2010 Summer intensive.
Taylor started dancing with The Rock School when he was 3 years old at the Rock School West in West Chester. Then in 2007 he...
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2011 YAGP PA Semi-Finals: Award Ceremony
Thank you to Valerie Lines for the wonderful photos!
The Rock School directors, Bo and Stephanie Spassoff, accepting the “Outstanding School Award” for the 6th unprecedented year in a row at Youth America Grand Prix.
(from left to right) Takashi Abe, Andrew Czerkawski and Yukihiro Tamura accepting their awards for Men’s Classical, which The Rock School swept with 3rd, 2nd...
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The Results are in: YAGP PA Semi-Finals
Congratulations to all of our talented dancers!
CLASSICAL
WOMEN
1ST - Hannah Sterling
2ND - Regina Montgomery
3RD - Alexandra Hartnett
MEN
1ST - Yukihiro Tamura
2ND - Andrew Czerkawski
3RD - Takashi Abe
TOP 12 WOMEN
Samantha Bristow
Lauren Carfolite
Alexandra Hartnett
Regina Montgomery
Miho Morita
Hannah Sterling
CONTEMPORARY
WOMEN
2ND - Samantha Bristow
...
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In the News: Alexandra Receives Award from the...
The Young Arts Program of the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts has awarded Alexandra Hartnett, seven year Rock School Student and Class of 2011 Rock Academic Student (RAPA), an Honorable Mention Level Award in the Dance/Ballet category.
The Young Arts Program is a national organization that recognizes and supports America’s most talented 17-18 year olds in the visual,...
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In the News: Derek & Esteban in 2010 USAIBC Flier
*Click to Enlarge!
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In the News: Rock Student Returns from Radio City...
Madeleine Garner has danced with us at The Rock School for two years, and we’re happy to share that Ms. Garner danced and toured with The Radio City Christmas Spectacular over the holiday season.
Ms. Garner’s mother emailed The Rock School to keep us updated: HI! We are back in PA after a successful run w/ The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Over a hundred shows during an eight...
December 2010
2 posts
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Dynamics of Dance: Nutcracker preview for...
Today, RockReach will be bringing the Nutcracker to over 200 inner-city students from three different schools. Our dancers will be performing segments of our Nutcracker 1776 at the Julia de Burgos school for students from the Fairhill School, the Pan-American school and JDB’s own students. These schools will get a special performance, just like the 2000 students we had come to our...
7 tags
November 2010
1 post
4 tags
Miguel Leaves for Atlanta Ballet
We are proud to announce that Miguel Montoya will be joining Atlanta Ballet! Miguel has been dancing with The Rock School since 2008, when he came from Columbia to Philadelphia to study ballet under a full scholarship. Miguel will be sorely missed!
We’ve watched Miguel grow and work hard over the years and he has been a positive influence and presence at Rock Center.
Today we...
October 2010
6 posts
6 tags
Swoop's Coming to Nutcracker 1776 at the Merriam...
Swoop (The Official mascot of the Philadelphia Eagles) is scheduled to make an appearance at Merriam Theater during our first Nutcracker 1776 performance.
Friday, December 3rd’s production is a special, invite only performance of Nutcracker 1776 for Philadelphia Youth. This will be Swoop’s second year coming to The Rock School’s Nutcracker 1776!
Check out Nutcracker 1776...
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Matthew Powell back in our studios
We’re happy to have Matthew Powell as a part of our permanent guest faculty here at The Rock School. Powell focuses on every minute detail of our dancer’s technique to help them grow and improve. Enjoy some photos of Matthew teaching our men’s class below:
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Photos: Disney Auditions at The Rock School!
Our studios were packed with aspiring Disney performers. Congratulations! We hope to see you next year!
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Yaqshaan Medan's Jazz/Contemporary Class
Every Saturday from 12:30 - 2:00pm Yaqshaan Medan teaches our new Jazz/Contemporary class. The class has open enrollment until June and is available for adults and teens 13+ with or without prior dance experience. Check out our Adult Classes Page on The Rock School’s website for more information.
Mr. Medan is a wonderful choreographer and teacher that gives our ballet students and...
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Elizabeth teaches a different kind of Men's Class
Check out photos from last week’s Men’s class taught by our lovely assistant to the directors, Elizabeth.
Her class borrowed techniques from Yoga, Pilates and basic strength training to condition our male dancers. The students enjoyed experiencing a different kind of Men’s Class, where they got to contribute their own components to one large variation the class worked on as a...
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In the News: Beckanne and Wan Ting in October's...
**UPDATE
Wan Ting also made the cover of Discount Dance Supply’s Holiday catalog!
September 2010
8 posts
6 tags
Nutcracker 1776 season
Here’s a photo from our Nutcracker 1776 placement auditions that were last Saturday, September 25th. These are our students from Levels 3-6.
Just a reminder that students in Pre-Ballet and Levels 1-2x will have their Nutcracker 1776 placements during their regular scheduled classes.
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FREE trial class this Saturday, October 2nd!
Are you an adult or a teenager that’s at least 13 years of age?
Come to our FREE trial class, this Saturday, Oct. 2nd ONLY, for our Open Jazz/Contemporary Class.
The Jazz/Contemporary Class will be every Saturday, 12:30-2:00pm in Studio D on the 4th Floor.
If you enjoy the class and would like to come back next week, enrollment is open year-round. The class is taught by innovative...
5 tags
Photos: Daniel Ulbricht Back in The Rock School...
The Rock School’s permanent guest teacher Daniel Ulbricht of New York City Ballet returned this morning to teach our students. It is always a treat to have Mr. Ulbricht in our studios. His perfect technique and grace are impressive, but as our students discovered this morning, his corrections are always small and simple. He’s fortified in our students that the most minute movements...
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Exciting News and Updates
Former student Taylor Stanley was on the cover of Dance Spirit Magazine this month where he is recognized as a hard working apprentice for New York City Ballet.
The new R Café with Chef Sean Ford is in full swing with a brand new menu for our students and an a la carte menu for visitors and parents. Please refer to the R Café page on our website for more information.
We have a NEW CLASS!...
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Business as Usual
We’re in our third week of dance and academic classes at The Rock School, and we’re happy to welcome back familiar faces from years past and our summer intensive program. We’re also excited to welcome our new students to our studios and classrooms.
Our Directors Bo and Stephanie Spassoff are back in the studios teaching and making corrections.
Our RAPA students broke up...
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Behind the Scenes of the Summer Intensive Program:...
Below are photos from some of our rehearsals and classes where our students and faculty are hard at work to perfect every technique, variation and step.
*Click to Enlarge
Faculty teacher Sarah Cooper demonstrates for her students
Director Stephanie Spassoff helps her students perfect their technique
Ballet Mistress Mariaelena Ruiz demonstrates and laughs with her students
The...
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Photos: The Rock School's Annual End of Summer...
Every year, The Rock School gives its Summer Intensive students and parents the opportunity to join us on a dinner cruise to reward everyone for all their hard work and dedication throughout the summer. On the boat, students can enjoy dinner, dancing and photo ops on the deck at sunset.
The evening is usually a fun-filled array of memories, both joyful and sad, as everyone must say their...
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Photos: The Rock School Summer Intensive...
As a final recap of our summer intensive program, here are some photos from our performances at the Mann Center and the Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP).
**Click to Enlarge
The Mann Center
The Girard Academic Music Program
August 2010
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Rhapsody of Rock: Mann Center
Don’t forget! We have another FREE performance this afternoon at the GAMP (22nd and Ritner). More details here - http://www.therockschool.org/node/286
*Click on photos to enlarge
Our performance at the Mann Center for their Young Peoples’ Concert Series was a complete success! Thank you to the Mann Center for a wonderful venue. We hope everyone and their families will join us...
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The Final Week
We’re in our final week of our summer intensive program at The Rock School. Check out our final group photos below. *Click to enlarge
Our upper level students, levels 4-6
All of our summer intensive students in our final 2 weeks, levels 2-6
Levels 2-3X
There’s still more to look forward to in our final week.
This morning, we had an exciting performance at the Mann...
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Matthew Powell
Matthew Powell was a wonderful addition to The Rock School’s guest faculty for the summer intensive program. He was attentive to all of our students and a pleasure to have at Rock Center in and out of the studio.
At the age of sixteen, Matthew Powell relocated from Shepherdstown, West Virginia to New York City to train on scholarship at the School of American Ballet, the...