In January I attended my first NUVO convention in Buffalo, NY. I had a great time taking classes from Kim McSwain, Chebar Williams, Ivan Koumaev, Ray Leeper, Travis Wall and Jessica Hendricks.
The convention is very similar to JUMP but with different faculty. NUVO is a two-day convention offering ballet, an audition class, hip hop, musical theatre and contemporary. It was amazing to work with such talented choreographers in a small class setting...we had lots of room to travel when doing the combos and because of the smaller class size, we did progressions in jazz and ballet in addition to learning combos. I had so much fun and I was chosen as a "NUVO Break-Out Artist"...yay! I am SO looking forward to the Dance Awards in New York City this summer.
Check out my video from NUVO...the combos were lots of fun - try them yourself!
In February, I went to New York City to audition for the Ailey Extension Summer Intensive. I met the beautiful and talented Paloma Herrera, Principal Ballerina at ABT and Fabrice Herrault, a Master ballet teacher. It was an awesome experience to be in the Alvin Ailey facility and dance in one of their studios. I wore my lucky #4 for the audition. I was accepted to the summer program but I've decided to attend other events this summer...can't wait to blog about those soon!!
In March, I attended the Buffalo NYCDA convention. It was my first time at NYCDA and it was a great experience. The faculty included Joe Lanteri, Suzi Taylor, Dana Wilson, Andy Pellick, Danny Wallace, Lauren Adams and Scott Jovovich. I LOVED all the combos and was honored to take class with such well-respected teachers. I was happy to be chosen as one of the "NYCDA Outstanding Dancers" in the Junior Class! It was an amazing weekend dancing alongside my friend Taylor and on-stage with Sabra Johnson!
In March I also attended JUMP Buffalo with my new studio Elite Danceworx. I love being part of the team at Elite...everyone has made me feel so welcome and part of the team. I am excited about the competition season, dancing in group numbers, my first pointe solo and a contemporary solo choreographed by Nick Lazzarini!!!
As competitions grow close, good luck to everyone with their practices and competitions!!
Before I go...congratulations to one of my mentors, Francisco Gella whose company Nuevo Contemporary School of Dance attended their first YAGP event in New York City. Congratulations to FG and all his dancers on their hard work and success!
