Volume V1I To the Pointe: Issue 1 th 2016-17 10 Anniversary Edition

Pages 2-3 Louisville Academy of Dance and River City Ballet 10th Anniversary Interview Of Miss Kristen, By Brooke Jarm Kristen Wenrick, Director Pages 4-7 www.LADBALLET.COM Alumni Stories www.RIVERCITYBALLET-KY.ORG 502-425-7454

Pages 8-10 LAD Students

Pages 11 Photo Memories

Page 12 Interview with LAD’s Newest Faculty

Page 13 Wendy Whelan at LAD

Page 14 Special Events

Page 15 Nutcracker Tea

Page 16 LAD Dancers Share Their Dance

Experiences

2 LAD’s own Brooke Jarm interviews Miss Kristen about her journey, ten years as a Director of LAD.

Louisville Academy of Dance first opened its doors in the fall of 2007. Retired professional dancer, Kristen Wenrick, started this studio with hopes of providing good technical training for young aspiring dancers. Ten years later, that goal has not changed and students are being provided the training needed to reach professional companies. Two dancers have been with LAD for all ten years, Lexi Brown and Stephanie Dolan. Now a part of River City Ballet, the youth performing ballet company, these dancers are definitely worth recognizing! “I have to say that the past ten years have had their share of joys, challenges and hard work. Every year there is a new class that needs to be taken through each level and meticulously taught the many details of the art from that happen at each stage of development. The faculty is constantly fine-tuning this process and is very satisfied with the level of dancers that are produced at our school. It is a joy to see the students develop not only their technique, but also their appreciation for the art form. This love, appreciation and discipline will serve them well in all the endeavors that they will encounter in whatever their future brings. It’s a privilege to make a difference in young people’s lives.” I had the privilege to interview Miss Kristen and this is what she had to say about ten years of LAD! What was your vision for LAD? Was it a dream of yours to have your own studio? “When I retired from dancing professionally 14 years ago, I took more interest in teaching. Up until that time, I never dreamed of owning a dance school. I taught mostly upper levels in various dance schools and colleges. I started to feel more and more that a lot of what I was doing was addressing gaps in the students’ training or finessing technique that wasn’t taught correctly to begin with. I felt that much of what was missing from the students’ training was what would keep them from having a chance to dance professionally or get a college scholarship for dance and I was making a difference for them too late in their training. I wanted to make that difference in the students’ training early on and that didn’t mean just teaching younger students, because then I would have just a few classes to influence. Instead, I wanted to develop a school and a curriculum that would be stronger from beginning to end. Much of what influenced my curriculum took place at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. They have world-class training and true rock-solid curriculum. I am always learning more (that’s the nice thing about being a perpetual student - as professional dancers always are) and improving things from year to year. 3

How many people were enrolled in the first year? “The first year we opened the dance critic gave me a nice article in the paper – he had known me from the years I danced at . That helped get the ball rolling, along with students that I had already been teaching locally and word of mouth. I think we opened with around 40 students at the start of the first year (mostly older students), but it more than doubled by the end of that school year. It has never been my goal to have a big studio. I focus on quality rather than quantity. Obviously, you need some quantity to pay the bills, but I appreciate having smaller classes so we can do what we do well and give all the students the attention they deserve.” How has LAD changed over the years? “I’m noticing that the quality of the dancers is improving from year to year. At this stage, we’re seeing more and more students that have trained with us from a younger age.” What has been/is your favorite part of owning your own studio? “My favorite part of owning a dance studio and working with students is seeing them grow not only as dancers but also into young adults.” Now that it has been ten years, what do you see coming in the next ten years? “We’ve accomplished so much in our first 10 years. We currently have alumni in professional ballet companies and colleges with premier dance programs. We have an established non-profit organization, River City Ballet, whose performances have received attention and are sought after by other organizations in the community. I am looking forward to the next ten years of growing and seeing what they bring!” Not only is Miss Kristen excited for the future of LAD, but also we dancers as we continue a tradition through her tutelage, striving to perfect the art of classical ballet!

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Louisville Academy of Dance Alumni Share Fond Memories

“I am very thankful for my time at LAD and the foundation it gave me. Ms. Kristen's teaching and technique, along with the instruction of other teachers she brought in, have been extremely influential in making me into the dancer I am today. I would not be where I am without the personal corrections I received or the challenging classes. The performance opportunities at LAD also provided a place for me to grow artistically and in my love for dancing. I loved being able to dance excerpts from full length classical ballets, even though LAD is a small studio. I believe God led me to LAD in order to develop the strong foundation in ballet technique that I needed in order to join the Christian company, Ballet Magnificat. After spending the past two years as a trainee with Ballet Magnificat, I was promoted to their professional touring company in June as an apprentice. I am currently touring with them around the US and internationally performing original ballets and teaching workshops, while sharing the love and the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Kinsey Jarm, Apprentice with Ballet Magnificat (2016)

“I started taking dance classes at LAD my sophomore year of high school, and it was one of the best decisions I could have made for my dance career. I came in not knowing what was what about ballet, and was often at first very frustrated after classes because the standard was so high. The teachers, my colleagues, and the overall atmosphere at LAD made me grow beyond what I thought I was capable of in classical ballet. Kristen Wenrick did not let any student just slide through without working him or her to their greatest potential. I think it speaks volumes that the faculty can encourage so much growth in the span of two years. I have fond memories of my fellow dancers and I hanging out during snack snack breaks, making frozen yogurt runs, and even attending an occasional concert together.” Lilly Payne, Studying at Dominican University of California LINES BFA (2016) 5

“One of my fondest memories would have to be buying/ being fit for my first pair of pointe shoes with Miss Kristen and taking my first pointe class. So grateful for all of the teachers at LAD over the years, for cultivating my love and creating my foundation for ballet. I wouldn't have wanted to do it anywhere else! “

Claire Donovan, Studying Ballet and Exercise Science at IU (2016)

“I was very fortunate to be able to train at LAD from its inaugural year until 2011. Learning from so many exceptional teachers as well as performing with RCB was instrumental to my growth as a student and was my first opportunity to get a glance of what being a professional dancer entailed. I met some amazing fellow dancers, some of whom I’m still very good friends with to this day! Having so many of my teachers