The Rock School

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.

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.

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:

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.

Alumni News: Zhao Wan Ting Gets 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 Congratulations!

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 and 1st place winners.

Hannah Sterling getting kissed by one of the judges as she receives her 1st place for Women’s Classical. Sterling also placed as one of the top 12 women for classical and contemporary.

Cato Berry, one of The Rock School’s junior division top 12 men & women for classical.

Alston MacGill, the junior division Grand Prix Winner and also one of the top 12 men & women for both the classical and contemporary in the junior division.

Pas de Deux partners Andrew Czerkawski and Alexandra Hartnett wait anxiously for their 2nd place ensemble award for their pas entitled, “Intenso”.

Jillian Price is awarded 1st place in the classical pre-competitive category and also placed in the top 12 men & women in the pre-competitive classical division.

Samantha Bristow takes home 2nd place for Women’s Contemporary and places in the top 12 for both women’s classical and contemporary!

Alexandra Hartnett awarded 3rd place for Women’s Classical and top 12 for both women’s classical and contemporary!

In the background, Takashi Abe receives his award for 3rd place in Men’s Classical.

Regina Montgomery hugs one of the judges as she receives her 2nd place award for Women’s Classical. Montgomery also placed in the top 12 for both the classical and contemporary divisions.

Yukihiro Tamura, awarded 2nd place for his contemporary, stands with his pas de deux partner Samantha Bristow as they receive their 1st place award for their “Pas de Deux from Harliquenade”.