Fall 2013 Spring Performances Celebrate HARID’s 25th Anniversary The HARID Conservatory pulled out all the stops to celebrate its 25th Anniversary during its annual Spring Performances at the Countess de Hoernle Theater last May 24–26. The students were joined on stage by a number of guest-artist alumni, making for a wonderfully exciting weekend of high- caliber dance. The performances commemorated Alex Srb © Alex the hundreds of talented young artists who have passed through the Conservatory’s doors over the years, and underscored the significant contribution HARID continues to make to the world of professional dance. Alex Srb © Alex The program opened with both the adagio and pas Guest alumnus Cavan Conley (Class of 2012) performing ‘Flower de trois from Paquita, exquisitely staged by Svetlana Festival in Genzano’ during HARID’s 25th Anniversary Spring Osiyeva and Victoria Schneider respectively. These Performances. classical standards challenged the students’ stamina, precision, and purity of style. Seniors Vanessa Lai and John Abenanty were elegant in the adagio’s pas de deux, flanked by a technically sound and well-rehearsed corps de ballet. The Hungarian Czardas from the third act of Swan Lake was Bertha Valentin’s contribution to this anniversary program. With its seductive music by Tchaikovsky and lush turquoise, velvet costuming, the Czardas was a Alex Srb © Alex fitting showcase for the HARID students to demonstrate the quality of character dance instruction they receive from Valentin. Next on the program was Flower Festival in Genzano, a delightful work from the Bournonville tradition that was coached by Osiyeva. It was a pleasure to have Jia Sun (Class of 2011) and Cavan Conley (2012) featured on the program as guest artists in this piece. They gave a crisp presentation of this pas de deux, with the understated nuance required by the reserved Bournonville style. Marie Tender also gave a lovely performance as the leading lady in this ballet (on Friday and Saturday) that was enhanced by her technical accomplishment and coquettish charm. Following Flower Festival, Victoria Schneider’s staging of the beautiful waltz from Act I of Swan Lake challenged the HARID students with intricate ensemble work which they performed in near-perfect unison. Friday and Saturday’s programs brought back to the stage two alumni who are currently dancing with the Joffrey Ballet Chicago: Mahallia Ward and Matthew Adamczyk. Alex Srb © Alex The dancers performed Wayne McGregor’s dynamic pas de deux, Infra, in contemporary costumes and under stark lighting. Sunday’s program featured Mark Godden’s IN THIS ISSUE arrestingly beautiful pas de deux from As Above, So Below, set to Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” and danced 1 25th Anniversary effortlessly by HARID alumna and principal dancer Spring Performances Amanda Green and her partner Tristan Debrowney, both 2 In Memoriam of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Judy Antoon Mark Godden’s newest original work for HARID, Beautiful 3 Winter Performances Dreamer, closed this memorable anniversary program. Inspired by the 1928 silent film “The Man Who Laughs”, Coming dancers John Abenanty and Hannah Wood carried the 3 Welcome new Staff action in this work—a tale of a blind ballerina and a and Faculty Members disfigured choreographer. Godden’s unique sense of humor and his clever use of props and lighting helped 4 2014 Summer School Srb Alex © make the piece engaging and fun. Auditions A scene from Mark Godden’s most-recent work 4 Annual Fund created for HARID, ‘Beautiful Dreamer’. Alumni Reunion Celebrates 25th Anniversary Last May, concurrent with the Spring Performances, HARID hosted a 25th anniversary alumni reunion. Thirty former students, some of whom brought their spouses and children with them, attended the weekend of activities and fun. On Friday afternoon (May 24), a welcoming reception was held in HARID’s library. The alumni were then invited to attend the opening-night dance performance. Saturday morning was spent reminiscing on the campus and, for those brave enough to do so, taking ballet class with faculty member Victoria Schneider. Following the matinee performance, HARID hosted an alumni dinner at Villagio Ristorante in Mizner Park where numerous toasts were made and many old friendships were renewed. On Sunday, HARID’s food-service providers John and Peggy Daidone treated the alumni to a delicious brunch in the Russo Hall dining room. Alumni Jia Sun, Dara Holmes, and Mahallia Ward catch up during HARID’s 25th The faculty and staff were delighted and thrilled by the alumni’s enthusiastic response to the reunion. anniversary alumni reunion dinner It was an enjoyable and memorable event. In Memoriam–Judy Antoon On May 31, the HARID community lost a committed employee and a dear friend. Judy Antoon worked at HARID for eighteen years. She was an effective administrator and a wonderful colleague. Outside of work, Judy enjoyed kayaking and attending various music festivals. She loved the Blues. Judy was also a talented artist. She enjoyed painting and sculpture, and was particularly gifted with stained glass. One of her paintings—a strikingly colorful abstract work—hangs unidentified in the foyer of the Duncan Theater in Lake Worth. Despite her debilitating illness, Judy remained active and, for the most part, unshakable until the end of her life. She managed to attend HARID’s 25th Anniversary Spring Performance on May 25, just a day before it was determined that she required hospice care. Judy was one tough lady. Judy loved HARID. She devoted long hours to keeping the school up and running, and she always followed the students’ progress and the alumni’s achievements with great pride. Her good work and enduring spirit will be remembered by everyone at HARID. Student Body Represents Eight Countries Forty-four talented students are enrolled at HARID this year. They come from thirteen states across the U.S. (California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia), and from Brazil, Canada, China, Ecuador, Italy, Japan, and New Zealand. Students Recognized with Assistance Awards The Ruth Nelson Kraft Awards Foundation continues to provide generous support for HARID’s students. Earlier this fall, Mackenzi Drozdz from Illinois, Meng Fan from China, Emily Fennell from Maryland, Maia Kaimakliotis from Florida, and Hayden Slaff from New Jersey, were recognized with Ruth Kraft Awards. Since 2001, The Rudolf Nureyev Dance Foundation has funded Education Fellowships for selected HARID students. This year, Rudolf Nureyev Education Fellowships have been awarded to Emily Fennell, a sophomore from Maryland, and Andrea Fabbri, a junior from Italy. Emily and Andrea join a group of distinguished alumni who are former Fellowship recipients, including Bridgett Zehr (HARID Class of 2002), a principal dancer with English National Ballet; Amanda Green (2003), a principal dancer with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet; Matthew Adamczyk (2003), a leading dancer with the Joffrey Ballet Chicago; Megan Zimny Kaftira (2004), a soloist with the Dutch National Ballet; and Adam Emily Fennell and Andrea Fabbri Still (2006), a soloist with Colorado Ballet. Page 2 | Fall 2013 | The HARID Conservatory | 561.997.2677 | www.harid.edu | [email protected] Winter Performances Coming HARID Welcomes New staff December 14 and 15 and faculty Members HARID’s Winter Performances are scheduled on December 14 HARID is pleased to welcome Angela Biermann as the and 15 at the Countess de Hoernle Theater. Both performances Conservatory’s new business manager. Ms. Biermann recently will begin at 3:00 p.m. moved to South Florida from Sedona, Arizona, where she This year’s program will include Classical Divertissements, lived for eighteen years. She has a bachelor-of-science staged by faculty member Svetlana Osiyeva; Krakowiak, a degree in business administration and economics from Saint Polish character dance, staged by Bertha Valentin; a modern- Mary’s College of California Moraga. Ms. Biermann was the dance premiere choreographed by Danielle Armstrong; and administrative assistant of Sedona Red Rock High School for HARID’s holiday tradition, The Nutcracker, Act II. nine years and served as executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northern Arizona. She has additional accounting Tickets are $28 and $22 (half price for children and full-time experience from other work performed in several corporate students), and are available at 2285 Potomac Road in Boca positions, including her own construction company. Raton (9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. weekdays) or by telephone at 561- 998-8038. You can also purchase your tickets on line at www. After teaching on an interim basis last spring and summer, harid.edu/performances. The Countess de Hoernle Theater Donald Tolj has joined HARID’s faculty this term as a full-time is located on the campus of Spanish River Community High ballet teacher. Mr. Tolj has a bachelor-of-arts degree in dance School, 5100 Jog Road, just north of Yamato Road. from the University of Maryland. As a dancer, he performed professionally with Cincinnati Ballet, Maryland Ballet, Please join us for HARID’s Winter Performances! Richmond Ballet, and Southern Ballet Theatre. He has served on the faculty at the Virginia Governor’s School at Richmond University, and at the Elmhurst School for Dance (Birmingham Royal Ballet). At HARID, Mr. Tolj is teaching the intermediate class (Level 2), along with the men’s and partnering classes. Mariana Raya has been promoted to the position of residence and student services manager. Previously—since 2008—she worked at HARID as a residence supervisor, during which time she developed a number of successful programs and activities for the students. Mariana has a bachelor-of-arts degree in communications in media and cultural studies from Florida Atlantic University. Two new academic mentors have also joined HARID this year. They supervise and assist the students each morning in the Conservatory’s Learning Center.