DANCE ALLIANCE

The Dance Alliance is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization of choreographers, dancers, dance advocates, teachers, students, and lovers of dance. It was founded in 1978 and incorporated in 1988 and embraces the greater Capital District-Saratoga region in upstate New York. For over 45 years, the Dance Alliance has sponsored programs and performances in ballet, modern, ethnic, jazz, tap, and body work. The organization collaborates with dance schools, area colleges, and performing arts organizations to encourage participation in an appreciation for the art of dance.

Through its efforts, leading dance artists conduct master classes, special performances, discussions and public forums on various aspects of dance. The Dance Alliance co-sponsors events with the National Museum of Dance, Skidmore College, Emma Willard School, Russell Sage College, The Egg, and Proctor’s Theatre.

Please browse the website for information about membership benefits, events, scholarships, and much more!

NEWS ~ 2024 Pat & Sven Peterson Dance Summer Scholarships available!

Pat & Sven Peterson

We are pleased to announce the Pat & Sven Peterson Dance Scholarship for the Summer of 2025 will assist students who will be attending a dance program or workshop with up to $700.

Please complete the online application form at www.dancealliance.org/scholarship by May 3, 2024.

Summer 2023 six deserving recipients received a $400 scholarship to attend Summer Dance Programs:

Anna Overholt @offrey Ballet School; Caleb Ballantine @ Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

Allison Bach @ Saratoga City Ballet & Nacre Dance; Loren Stark @ Boston Ballet

Sophia Aluck @ Boston Ballet; Tara Sweeney @ Boston Ballet

Group Nights NYCB @ SPAC

SPAC GROUP NIGHTS TO SEE NYCB

PROJECT PARTNERSHIP GRANT FUNDING

The Dance Alliance provides support to local dance organizations and members to assist in the implementation of projects that increase dance literacy in New York’s Capital region and encourage activities that bring dance to the community at large. The deadline for Project Partnershop Funding application submission is March 31, 2025. Recipients will be determined by April 30, 2025. More information and application at https://www.dancealliance.org/project-partnership/

March 2025 Newsletter

Dear Dance Friends,

The dance world has exploded with amazing offerings beginning this month – many free and open to varying populations including those ages 50+!

In addition, your Dance Alliance membership was never more valuable with discounts to our Group Night at SPAC to see NYCB on TWO different occasions, the opportunity to dance with two members of NYCB in an Essentials Workshop at SOTA, and the unveiling of a new and improved Project Partnership Grant application available now online.

So read on….and, as always, vive la danse,

Mary Anne Fantauzzi, Dance Alliance president

Pilobolus Creative Movement Exploration

Wednesday, March 19 | 10:10 AM – 12:00 PM
Skidmore College, Dance Department
Free Workshop for Adults 50+

Join Pilobolus, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and the Skidmore College Dance Department for a unique, community-driven dance experience. This special workshop marks the beginning of a multi-year initiative designed to develop creative movement programming that fosters connection, creativity, and well-being.

Inspired by Pilobolus’s signature approach to movement, this engaging session invites participants to explore creative problem-solving, experimentation, and teamwork in a fun, energetic environment. Led by Pilobolus Teaching Artists, you’ll:

Unlock your creativity and experience the joy of movement in a playful, group-driven workshop.
Collaborate with others to create original material and discover new ways to express yourself through movement.
Engage in meaningful discussion following the movement session, sharing reflections and feedback to help shape this wellness-focused initiative.

This pilot workshop welcomes all experience levels, inviting adults 50+ to learn alongside Skidmore Dance students in an open and inclusive environment.

Parking & Directions: Follow signs for the Williamson Sports Center/Dance Center on Skidmore’s campus. Parking is located in front of the building and no parking tag is required for guests. Check in will be in the entrance to the Sports Center (not the new Tennis and Wellness Center).What to bring: Wear comfortable clothing you can move in and bring bare feet or lightweight shoes.Arrival time: Please arrive at least 15 mins before the start of the workshop to park, check in, and get settled.

FREE MASTER CLASS WITH FLAMENCO VIVO

Date and Time: Tuesday, March 5th from 6:15-7:30pm

Location: The SPAC School of the Arts

This is a hands-on workshop with instruction in rhythmic handclaps (palmas), arm movements (braceo), body posturing (marcaje), and footwork (taconeo) tailored to the participants experience level. The class is supportive and fun, and flamenco technique is woven into a short choreography. By the end of the class the participants will be able to “perform” a simple choreographed dance.

Recommended Attire: Clothes that are comfortable and easy to move around in. Women: shoe with a sturdy wide heel (up to approximately 2 inches high). Ideally, women should wear a full skirt with some weight to it, well below the knee but above the ankle. Men should wear a comfortable (but not baggy) shirt and pants, and any sturdy shoe or boot with a bit of a heel (about 1 inch).

AGELESS DANCER BALLET BARRE & BALANCE RETURNS:

Dance Alliance received a substantial grant in 2020 to create a ballet program specifically for adults ages 50+. Each week, an admirable professional dancer featured in Betti Franceschi’s book Ageless Dancers would be featured as inspiration. This class returns to the SPAC School of the Arts for 8 weeks beginning Wednesday March 12 from 12:45-1:45. The hybrid class will be offered simultaneously in person and on ZOOM. Register at https://www.hisawyer.com/marketplace/activity-set/1131488 for in person and https://spac.org/events/the-ageless-dancer-ballet-barre-balance-online/ for virtual.

DANCING THROUGH TIME: CONNECTIONS THROUGH CHOREOGRAPHY RETURNS:

Dancing Through Time: Connections Through Choreography will focus on the roots of modern/contemporary and tap dance in America. Each class will begin with a virtual biography of the week’s featured artist followed by a one-hour exploratory movement class in the styles of Graham, Cunningham, Taylor, Tune, and others. No experience needed!

Here are the class topics by date:

3/11 Tommy Tune
3/18 Isadora Duncan
3/25 Martha Graham
4/1 Anna Sokolow
4/8 Paul Taylor
4/22 Merce Cunningham (Part 1)
4/29 Merce Cunningham (Part 2)
5/6 Trisha Brown

2025 NYCB Children/Teen Auditions – Coppélia @SPAC

CASTING CALL!
New York City Ballet is seeking 36 local children and teens for dancing roles in “Coppélia” by George Balanchine & Alexandra Danilova, after Petipa.
The full-length ballet will be performed during NYCB’s 2025 summer residency at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

AUDITION DATE/TIME
Sunday, March 9th
Audition for ages 14-18 will commence at 10:00am (Check-in no earlier than 9:00am)
Audition for ages 9-13 will commence at 10:30am (Check-in no earlier than 9:30am)

LOCATION
SPAC School of the Arts
(located behind the National Museum of Dance)
99 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING ROLES
– 24 Girls (9-13 years old) between 4 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 1 inch tall
*Applicants must be at least 9 years old by Sept 1, 2025 and have at least 2 years of ballet training. Understudies will also be cast.

In addition, there will be roles in Coppélia for:
– 6 young ladies (14-18 years old) between 5 feet, 2 inches and 5 feet, 7 inches tall
– 6 young men, (14-18 years old) who are 5 feet, 5 inches tall or taller.
*These applicants should have at least two years of dance training.

DANCERS MUST BE REGISTERED BY THURSDAY, MARCH 6, IN ORDER TO AUDITION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 9.

PROJECT PARTNERSHIP GRANT DEADLINE IS MARCH 31, 2025

SPAC GROUP NIGHTS TO SEE NYCB

Dance Alliance will be hosting two discounted group nights to see NYCB at SPAC:
Thursday, July 10th at 7:30pm Coppelia (Balanchine)
Saturday, July 12th at 7:30pm Four Seasons (Robbins), Stravinsky Violin Concerto (Balanchine), Mystic Familiar (Peck)

WHAT A DEAL FOR DANCE ALLIANCE MEMBERS and their guests!
Seats are located in the 2nd row of Section 15 center balcony!
Member price $70 (one at this price per membership) and non-member price is $75. (Originally $101.75!!!)

Ten tickets per performance have been reserved! (more can be ordered if needed)
Reservation must include at least one Dance Alliance member per order.

See link below to join or renew online! Adults ages 65+ annual membership is only $6; Individuals $12!
https://www.dancealliance.org/membership/join/

IN ADDITION: Dance Alliance members who purchase a ticket to the Thursday night performance will be able to take a free Ballet Essentials class with 2 NYCB dancers at SOTA on 2/10 pre-show from 5:15-6:30pm. Only 10 spots for Dance Alliance members have been reserved – first come first served! (anyone may register on their own once the link is public but space is limited!)

Come enjoy the performance with fellow area dance lovers! Mail a check made out to Dance Alliance and a self addressed stamped envelope along with name, number of tickets (Member and non-member) for specified performance date or Ballet Essentials class, email address, phone number, USPS mailing address to: Gail Tassarotti, 52 Marriner Avenue, Albany NY 12205 Deadline for ticket orders: postmarked 3/15/25.

SHARON SPRINGS DANCE FESTIVAL

SAVE THE DATE! The Sharon Springs Dance Festival presented by Klinkhart Hall Arts Center will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025. This year’s featured company will be Gballoi West African Dance and Drum ensemble. African dance classes will be offered for kids thru adults as well as a community drumming class. Additional dance classes will be offered on Saturday 10-5 pm. The African Dance and Drum Ensemble will perform at 7 pm. All events take place at Sharon Springs Central School and are free. Go to www.klinkhart.org for upcoming information. Plan to spend the day in historic Sharon Springs, enjoy dinner before the show or even spend the weekend!

NACRE DANCE GROUP SEEKS STUDENT DANCERS FOR SIP, SAVOR & SWIRL PERFORMANCE

Nacre Dance Group is offering a unique performance opportunity for local student dancers (ages 13 and up) to take the stage at the highly anticipated Sip, Savor & Swirl event on August 16, 2025, at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, NY.

This one-of-a-kind event merges the art of dance with the elegance of wine, as choreographers create original works inspired by specific wines, bringing them to life through movement. Selected dancers will perform in two pieces, including works choreographed by Kelly Guerrero, last year’s runner-up, and Beth Fecteau, Nacre Dance Group’s Artistic Director.

Rehearsal Commitment: Dancers must be available for an intensive rehearsal period from August 11-15, from 10 AM – 4 PM, at Saratoga City Ballet studios. Given the short preparation time, full availability for rehearsals is required. A dress rehearsal will take place on August 16, prior to the evening performance at 7:30 PM.

Application & Fee: Interested dancers must submit their application by May 30, 2025. A $400 participation fee is required for selected dancers. To apply, visit: https://www.nacredance.org/sipsavorswirl.

CALENDAR NEWS:

Dance With the Dancers Virtual – Monday, March 31^st NYCB soloist Brittany Pollack open ballet class, 10:45-12:00.

Dance With the Dancers Virtual – Monday, April 28^th Grand Rapids Ballet dancer Sam Epstein open ballet class, 10:45-12:00

Dance Alliance member fee $18; non-members $20.

Payment is through PayPal (Totbtri@aol.com). Include contact information and email to receive the link.