May 2012
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The Rock School Presents The 2012 Annual Showcase
Join us for an evening of extraordinary dance as The Rock School presents the annual showcase Baroque Dances on June 6th at 7pm. The Showcase is an opportunity to see all of the school’s dancers, creative movement to pre-professional. Mark your calendar, and join us for an evening of spectacular ballet and our new program Urban Dance / Extreme Movement!
Tickets are available for purchase...
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Sleeping Beauty Maho Mashimo to Awaken Bangkok...
Rock School alumna, Maho Mashimo, is to star as Princess Aurora in Rising Star Dance Studio’s production of Sleeping Beauty in Bangkok, Thailand! Maho Mashimo will be performing along side of her prince, Chitpon Pleansiri and a surprise cameo by Snow White, played by Yuko Nakamura. This delightful rendition of the classical fairy tale ballet, Sleeping Beauty is choreographed by Rising...
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April 2012
6 posts
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Upcoming Events to Look Forward to at The Rock...
With Springtime already here and Summer quickly approaching, The Rock School is preparing for so many exciting events. Here’s a look at some of the performances, and competitions happening in the upcoming months.
Youth America Grand Prix NYC Finals are just around the corner. YAGP in-studio previews are being held here at The Rock School!
Wednesday, April 18th, 6:00pm
Saturday, April...
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March 2012
4 posts
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February 2012
5 posts
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Rock Center is looking good!
The Rock School has recently displayed new signage around the building! Large-scale posters featuring some of our breath-taking dancers can be seen outside the elevator on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors of Rock Center. With so many amazing and talented students, The Rock School is proud to watch their hard work in and out of the studio. The Rock School could not be more pleased to display the...
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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...
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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...
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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
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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...
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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...
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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
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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!