June 2010
METROPOLITAN BALLET COMPANY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR LISA COLLINS VIDNOVIC RECEIVES 16TH ANNUAL IMAGINE AWARD FROM EDUCATING COMMUNITIES FOR PARENTING
Educating Communities for Parenting (ECP) Imagine Awards, Thursday, June 3, 2010, The Union League, Philadelphia, PA.
Photo credit – E.A. Kennedy, III
Left to right: Ellwood Elementary School 2nd grade teacher Marianne Quendenfeld with students Adira Harris, Taylor Fleming, Daniel Liberis, Quadir Robinson; Lisa Collins Vidnovic; Mary Cope Scattergood, accepting award for her mother and ECP founder, Sara Park Scattergood; Anita Kulick, President ECP; ECP Teen Ambassadors: Sequoya Taylor, Leah White, Lauren Branconi, Octavia Abney, Diane Batts, Barbie Vasquez, Kelisha McGee, Shanice Walker, and Ebony Whorton.
Jenkintown, PA - The Board of Directors of Metropolitan Ballet Company (MBC) proudly announces that Lisa Collins Vidnovic, founder and director of MBC and Metropolitan Ballet Academy (MBA), is the recipient of the 16th Annual Imagine Award from Educating Communities for Parenting (ECP). Since 1995, the Imagine Awards have been presented by ECP to honor to individuals and organizations who have distinguished themselves as powerful advocates of children, youth and families. These honorees represent the synergy and power that can emerge from the combined efforts of those whose work affects both the public and private sectors. Each of the Award recipients exemplifies a commitment to nurturing connections and improving the human relationships in the community. This commitment has had a powerful and positive effect not only on our children but on future generations as well.
Lisa Collins Vidnovic was selected because of her outreach work in two Philadelphia city schools, bringing the joy and power of dance to second graders through a six-week course taught in the schools, and culminating with a field trip to attend MBC's Family Concert Series in November. For most of the children, it was the first time they had ever attended a live theatre performance of any kind, and they were an enthusiastic and wonder-struck audience.
Vidnovic (known professionally as Lisa Collins) has since 1976 enjoyed a life in ballet as a professional dancer, ballet mistress, teacher, and choreographer. From 1979 to 1989 Ms. Collins danced with Pennsylvania Ballet, working under the direction of founder Barbara Weisberger, master teacher Lupe Serrano, and artistic directors Benjamin Harkarvy and Robert Weiss. She was featured in a diverse repertoire of both classical and modern works, and in 1988-89 also served as assistant ballet mistress. From 1983-1996 she served on the faculty of the School of Pennsylvania Ballet, and also taught on the faculty at Bryn Mawr College from 1990–2000. She performed with the Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble from 1993–2000, and served as ballet mistress for the troupe from 1995–2003.
In 1996 Ms. Collins founded MBA in Jenkintown, PA, and in 2001 established the nonprofit MBC to provide scholarships, performance training for pre-professional dancers, and outreach programs designed to promote a love and appreciation of dance in the community. Learn more at www.metropolitanballetcompany.org or call 215.663.1665.
The Imagine Awards ceremony was held on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 5:30 pm at the The Union League in Philadelphia, PA.. For more information about the Imagine Awards and Educating Communities for Parenting, please visit www.ecparenting.org.
Puerto Rican Panorama
Lisa Collins Vidnovic, Artistic Director of the Metropolitan Ballet Academy and Dance Professor Anne O'Malley Castellanos will be featured on the next “Puerto Rican Panorama,” during which they will offer to train boys—tuition-free—to dance ballet. for details of boys program click on link....
In addition, the renowned Walnut St. Theater of Philadelphia will be discussed.
This program will air (with closed-captioning) on 6abc-TV this Saturday afternoon, May 29, at 1:30 p.m. with rebroadcasts on Sunday morning at 5 and overnight between Sunday & Monday at 3:30.
After the weekend, the show will continue to be available for watching on Tuesday & Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 8 a.m. on the 2nd. (digital) channel of WPVI (6.2 on newer TV sets) and/or via cable (245 on Comcast) or FiOS (466).
The program may also be trawled on the 6abc website at www.6abc.com which will make it available for viewing anywhere in the world.
May 2010
METROPOLITAN BALLET COMPANY ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR
Metropolitan Ballet Company Announces Auditions for Boys’ Scholarship Dance Program, Led by William DeGregory, Artistic Director of PA Ballet II
MBC Boys’ Scholarship students Lucas Tischler and Justin Geiss in rehearsal for Hansel & Gretel.
Photo by Allan Hatta
Peter Weil, a 2010 YAGP medalist, began his ballet training in the Metropolitan Ballet Boys’ Scholarship program at age 7. He has performed for the past five years with Pennsylvania Ballet in George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” and in Christopher Wheeldon’s “Carnival of the Animals” with John Lithgow.
MBC graduate Nikita Rosencranz (with MBC dancer Phoebe Gavula) began his training in the Metropolitan Ballet Boys’ Scholarship program at age 8 and currently performs as a guest artist with Metropolitan Ballet Company and other area dance companies.
Photo by E.A. Kennedy, III
Jenkintown, PA -- Metropolitan Ballet Company (MBC) will hold auditions for its Boys’ Scholarship Dance Program on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 9:00 AM, at the studio of Metropolitan Ballet Academy, 700 Cedar Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046. Lisa Collins Vidnovic, founder and Artistic Director of MBC, said that up to 15 boys ages 7-11 and 12-18 will be selected to receive a full year of weekly dance classes with William DeGregory, a former principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet. Mr. DeGregory is currently Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Ballet II, the training company for Pennsylvania Ballet. 57 boys participated in the MBC program this year.
The Boys’ Scholarship Program, a nonprofit outreach program of Metropolitan Ballet Company, provides tuition-free, boys-only classes for students ages 7-18. The Program provides weekly classes in beginning, intermediate and advanced ballet; partnering; and guest instruction in modern, jazz, and character dance; and is designed to enhance athletic skills, flexibility, and strength. Participants in the program also enjoy performance opportunities, including, for eligible students, an invitation to audition for Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Classes begin in September 2010 and continue through June 2011. No prior dance experience is required.
The acclaimed MBC Boys’ Scholarship Program was founded by Vidnovic in 1999 as a way to make ballet accessible to boys in the greater Philadelphia region. Vidnovic, a former Pennsylvania Ballet soloist and Ballet Mistress, founded Metropolitan Ballet Academy (MBA) in 1996 and MBC, a nonprofit, pre-professional performing company, in 2001. Nearly 175 boys ages 7-18 have participated in the Program in the decade since its founding.
The MBC Boys’ Scholarship Program is proud to be supported by generous grants from The Loeb Performing Arts Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation, Sam’s Club Foundation, Kohl’s Cares for Kids, and by many generous gifts from individuals. Metropolitan Ballet Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
For more information about auditions for the Boys’ Scholarship Program, MBA classes for boys and girls, tickets to the MBA Showcase on June 19-20, 2010, or contributions to MBC, call Lisa Collins Vidnovic at 215-663-1665.
March 2010
Four Metropolitan Ballet Academy Students Place in Youth America Grand Prix Semi-Finals, Five Continue to NYC Finals
Metropolitan Ballet Academy students Peter Weil, Phoebe Gavula, Devon DiBello, Kamryn Baldwin, and Ariel Breitman excel in Youth America Grand Prix 2010 Regional Semi Finals
Peter Weil
Phoebe Gavula
Devon DiBello
Metropolitan Ballet Academy students have much to celebrate this week as five students excelled in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) 2010 Regional Semi- Finals. Peter Weil, age 13, won Third Place in the Classical Dance Category, Junior Age Division; Phoebe Gavula, age 15, placed in the top 12 in both the Senior Classical Ballet and Senior Contemporary Dance Categories; Devon DiBello, age 13, placed among the top 12 in the Junior Classical Ballet Category; Kamryn Baldwin, age 11, placed in the top 12 in the Pre-Competitive Age Category; and Ariel Breitman, age 16, will continue in the Senior Men’s Division Category.
All five students will advance to compete in the YAGP New York City Finals, March 21-16, 2010, where finalists selected from semi-final rounds conducted all over the globe will compete for more than $250,000 in scholarships to 30 of the world’s leading dance schools, as well as job offers from other companies in the U.S. and abroad.
Youth America Grand Prix is the world’s largest international student ballet scholarship competition. YAGP has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to the leading dance schools worldwide. Over 25,000 dancers worldwide have participated in YAGP’s international workshops, competitions, and audition classes; more than 200 YAGP alumni are now dancing with 50 companies around the world, including such acclaimed companies as American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet.
Lisa Collins Vidnovic, founder and director of Metropolitan Ballet Academy, said, “I am so proud of our students, who have worked extraordinarily hard to achieve this great honor. YAGP is a very rigorous competition attended by the highest level of pre-professional dancers. Having five students advance to the YAGP finals is an historic occasion for Metropolitan Ballet Academy. Our faculty teaches classical dance in an atmosphere of support and encouragement, and gives each student the individual attention they deserve. The entire Academy congratulates Peter, Phoebe, Devon, Kamryn, and Ariel on their significant accomplishments so far, and wishes them success when they compete in the NYC Finals.”
February 2010
Metropolitan Ballet and Settlement Music School Rescheduled for Saturday, March 27, 2010
The professional Fairmount Chamber Ensemble will provide accompaniment for MBC premiere of Skarpetowska’s “Take Me”
Metropolitan Ballet Company (MBC) and students from the Jenkintown Branch of the Settlement Music School will present their annual collaborative performance on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 3:00 pm, in the Josephine Muller Auditorium at Abington Friends School, 575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA. The performance originally scheduled for February 6th was rescheduled due to snow.
Now in its ninth year, the annual collaborative concert will present works performed by 12 young Settlement musicians and Metropolitan’s 30-member classical dance company. Lisa Collins Vidnovic, founder and artistic director of Metropolitan Ballet Company, says, “This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to enjoy an afternoon of music and dance.”
The program will include the company premiere of Take Me, a new contemporary work by New York choreographer Katarzyna Skarpetowska, in which the MBC dancers—for the first time ever—will be accompanied by The Fairmount Chamber Ensemble, a professional string quartet described by The Philadelphia Inquirer as “rousing and warmhearted.” A company revival of Andrew Pap’s neo-classical ballet, Marcello; and original works for dancers and musicians choreographed by Vidnovic and MBC faculty member Denise D’Angelo complete the program.
Since 1984, The Fairmount Chamber Ensemble, comprised of violinists Taia Harlos and Barbara Jaffe, violist Beth Dzwil, and cellist Lynne Beiler, has performed in the Philadelphia area on the Candlelight Concert Series at Laurel Hill Mansion, and at numerous other venues including Temple University, Crossing Vineyards, and Valley Forge Christian College, and has provided accompaniment for many area choirs, as well as for Opera North.
The music students include, among others, an Advanced Study Scholarship group, the Schwartz Piano trio coached by Sandra Carlock, and an Abington Friends School student, David Buzaglo, who studies voice with Judith Turano. Buzaglo will sing songs by Schubert. Musical selections will include pieces by Bach, Harrison, Korngold, Marcello, Piazzolla, and Rachmaninov.
Tickets are $12.00 in advance or $15.00 at the door. For more information, please call (215) 663-1665
January 2010
Metropolital Ballet and Settlement Music School to Present Winter Performance of Music and Dance
The professional Fairmount Chamber Ensemble will provide accompaniment for MBC premiere of Skarpetowska’s “Take Me”
Metropolitan Ballet Company (MBC) and students from the Jenkintown Branch of the Settlement Music School will present their annual collaborative performance on Saturday, February 6th, at 3:00 pm, in the Josephine Muller Auditorium at Abington Friends School, 575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA.
Now in its ninth year, the annual collaborative concert will present works performed by 12 young Settlement musicians and Metropolitan’s 30-member classical dance company. Lisa Collins Vidnovic, founder and artistic director of Metropolitan Ballet Company, says, “This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to enjoy an afternoon of music and dance.”
The program will include the company premiere of Take Me, a new contemporary work by New York choreographer Katarzyna Skarpetowska, in which the MBC dancers—for the first time ever—will be accompanied by The Fairmount Chamber Ensemble, a professional string quartet described by The Philadelphia Inquirer as “rousing and warmhearted.” A company revival of Andrew Pap’s neo-classical ballet, Marcello; and original works for dancers and musicians choreographed by Vidnovic and MBC faculty member Denise D’Angelo complete the program.
Since 1984, The Fairmount Chamber Ensemble, comprised of violinists Taia Harlos and Barbara Jaffe, violist Beth Dzwil, and cellist Lynne Beiler, has performed in the Philadelphia area on the Candlelight Concert Series at Laurel Hill Mansion, and at numerous other venues including Temple University, Crossing Vineyards, and Valley Forge Christian College, and has provided accompaniment for many area choirs, as well as for Opera North.
The music students include, among others, an Advanced Study Scholarship group, the Schwartz Piano trio coached by Sandra Carlock, and an Abington Friends School student, David Buzaglo, who studies voice with Judith Turano. Buzaglo will sing songs by Schubert. Musical selections will include pieces by Bach, Harrison, Korngold, Marcello, Piazzolla, and Rachmaninov.
Tickets are $12.00 in advance or $15.00 at the door. For more information, please call (215) 663-1665
December 2009
52 MBA Students Dance in Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker
For each of the past ten years, MBA students have been invited to participate in Pennsylvania Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. This is such an honor for our school. This year, 52 Met students will be featured in the production -- 10 of our boys and 42 of our ladies:
Peter Weil and Darius Black as the Prince, Lucas Tischler and Juan Castellanos as the mischievous little brother Fritz, along with boys: Christian Brodbeck, Justin Geiss, Christian Lavallie, Thomas Leonard, Daniel Shevelev and Adam Weil.
And girls: Maria Santangelo as Marie with Rosalie Baseman, Sophia Lane, Katherine Locke-Brubaker & Nancy Wenger in Party, Kylie Purcaro as Bunny, Vanessa Di Bucci as Sentry, Ashley Hillis & Pearl Ramke as Trumpeter, and Kaylee Delagol, Julia LoPolito, Gabriela Montoya, Ashley Myerson, Becca Neckritz, Mia Panzak, Roxanne Rosenberg, Jillian Price, Madeline Reich, Nadia Saleh, Marielle Silberman, Maria Sperger, Claudia Steel and Brianna Yarnoff as soldiers.
Act II girls include: Esperanza Badeau, Olena DeAngelo, Grace Fiorella, Olivia Fiorella, Marguerite Gelfin, Alexis Pickering, Kylie Purcaro, Brynn Tallarida, Samantha Staples, Isabella Straface and Emily Warden as Angels, Elizabeth Hansel, Ashley Hillis, Sophia Lane, Katherine Locke-Brubaker, Jillian Price, Pearl Ramke, Marielle Silberman, Nancy Wenger and Brianna Yarnoff as Pollichinelles, and Rosalie Baseman, Devon DiBello, Tatiana Di Bucci, Leah Friedman Sierra Levin, Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan, Valerie Santangelo in Hoops.
Additionally, advanced dancers Phoebe Gavula & Leah McCormick will be dancing company roles in Tea and Hot Chocolate. Congratulations all!
November 2009
MBA Students make an incredible debut at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC
Congratulations to MBA students Maria Santangelo, Lucas Tischler & Peter Weil who appeared in the leading children’s roles in Pennsylvania Ballet’s Kennedy Center performances of The Nutcracker.
Maria Santangelo made her debut in the role of Marie, Lucas Tischler played the mischievous little brother Fritz, and Peter Weil appeared as the Little Prince.
Link to a review (and a mention of Peter Weil!) in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/25/AR2009112503809.html
October 28, 2009
Metropolitan Ballet Company Presents Premiere of Two Extraordinary Children’s Storybook Classics, “Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly” and “Hansel & Gretel”
Jenkintown, PA — Metropolitan Ballet Company will open its season on Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd with two exciting new productions. The family-oriented program will feature a company premiere of Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly, based on the bestselling storybook by Jane O’Connor, and a world premiere of the fairytale classic Hansel & Gretel by noted New York City choreographer Kanji Segawa. These magical story ballets, brought to life with exuberant dancing, will delight children of all ages.
As a special treat, Metropolitan Ballet Company will also welcome Robin Preiss Glasser, the illustrator of the Fancy Nancy series, to our community. Glasser, who was previously a dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet, will be available for book signings at the Sunday, Nov. 22nd performance.
Metropolitan Ballet's Family Concert Series continues to enchant young families by bringing popular stories to the stage, danced by the Company’s pre-professional dancers from the greater Philadelphia region. Metropolitan Ballet has received national acclaim over the past four years for its performances at the prestigious Regional Dance America festival. Previous ballets in MBC’s Family Concert Series have included The Rainbow Fish, Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland.
Performances will be held at the Josephine Muller Auditorium at Abington Friends School, 575 Washington Lane, in Jenkintown, PA 19046. Show times are 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on Saturday, November 21st and 3:00 pm on Sunday, November 22nd . Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. To order tickets or for more information, please call 215-663-1665, email lcv@snip.net, or visit our website at www.metropolitanballetcompany.org.
September 10, 2009
Alexander Iziliaev, Principal Dancer of Pennsylvania Ballet, Joins Faculty of
Metropolitan Ballet Company’s Boys’ Scholarship Dance Program
Metropolitan Ballet’s acclaimed Boys’ Scholarship Program celebrates 10th anniversary year
Alexander Iziliaev in Pennsylvania Ballet’s Dracula
Photo by Paul Kolnik
Jenkintown, PA -- Metropolitan Ballet Company (MBC) welcomes Alexander Iziliaev, a principal dancer of Pennsylvania Ballet, to the faculty of the Company’s nationally recognized Boys’ Scholarship Dance Program. Mr. Iziliaev will join long-time MBC faculty members William DeGregory, renowned Pennsylvania Ballet principal dancer and current Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Ballet II; and Andrew Pap, chair of ballet at the University of the Arts. More than 55 boys will participate in the MBC program again this year.
Born and raised in Sterlitamak, Russia, Alexander Iziliaev began his ballet training at age 11 at The Perm Ballet School. Upon graduating in 1992, he won the Moscow International Competition and the Perm Competition. Traveling to the United States that same year, he joined Hartford Ballet, where he was immediately cast in principal roles. Mr. Iziliaev also originated many roles in Kirk Peterson ballets, and continued his training with Truman Finney. In 1995 he was invited by Peter Martins to join New York City Ballet, where his extensive repertoire of featured roles included George Balanchine’s Tarantella, Allegro Brillante, and The Four Temperaments; and Peter Martins’ Fearful Symmetries. Mr. Iziliaev also originated roles in Kevin O’Day’s Badchonim and Richard Tanner’s Schoenberg/Wuorinen Variations.
Mr. Iziliaev joined Pennsylvania Ballet in September 2000 as a principal dancer. His roles with the company have included Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Prince Desire in The Sleeping Beauty, Franz in Coppélia, Prince Charming in Cinderella, Lucentio in The Taming of the Shrew, Prince Ivan in The Firebird, and Frederick in Dracula. He has also danced principal roles in George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son, Raymonda Variations, Agon, Serenade, The Nutcracker, and Western Symphony. Mr. Iziliaev has also performed in Paul Taylor’s Arden Court, and Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Great Galloping Gottschalk; and has made numerous international appearances in London, Paris, Scotland, Brazil, and throughout South America.
The Boys’ Scholarship Program, a nonprofit outreach program of Metropolitan Ballet Company, provides tuition-free, boys-only classes for students ages seven to 18. Designed to enhance athletic skills, flexibility, and strength, the Boys’ Scholarship Program provides weekly classes in beginning, intermediate and advanced ballet and partnering, and features guest instruction in modern, jazz, and character dance. Eligible students in the program also enjoy performance opportunities, including an invitation to audition for Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Classes begin in September 2009 and continue through June 2010. No prior dance experience is required.
Founded by Lisa Collins Vidnovic in 1999 as a way to make ballet accessible to boys in the greater Philadelphia region, the acclaimed MBC Boys’ Scholarship Program is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Vidnovic, a former Pennsylvania Ballet soloist and Ballet Mistress, founded Metropolitan Ballet Academy (MBA) in 1996 and MBC, a nonprofit, pre-professional performing company, in 2001. More than 150 boys have participated in the program in the decade since its founding.
The MBC Boys’ Scholarship Program is proud to be supported by generous grants from The Loeb Performing Arts Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation, The Barra Foundation, Sam’s Club Foundation, Kohl’s Cares for Kids, and by many generous gifts from individual donors. Metropolitan Ballet Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
For more information about the Boys’ Scholarship Program, MBA classes for boys and girls, MBC performances, or donor opportunities, please call Lisa Collins Vidnovic at 215-663-1665 or visit www.metropolitanballetacademy.com.
Barbara Weisberger with MBA Summer Intensive 2009 students
Lisa Collins Vidnovic, William DeGregory, Barbara Weisberger, Tim Craskey, Meredith Rainey and Arantxa Ochoa
August 12, 2009
Metropolitan Ballet welcomed Ms. Barbara Weisberger, the illustrious founder of the Pennsylvania Ballet Company, to our studios this summer.
Ms. Weisberger observed Summer Intensive classes in Ballet, Pointe, Variations, Mens’ Technique and Jazz/ Musical Theater, with a special discussion about our celebrated Boys’ Scholarship Program. Faculty/panel included MBA Artistic Director Lisa Collins Vidnovic, MBA faculty member and Artistic Director of PA Ballet II, William DeGregory, PA Principal dancer Arantxa Ochoa, former PA Ballet soloist Meredith Rainey, and MBA faculty member Tim Craskey.
June 2009
Congratulations to Metropolitan Ballet Academy students Darius Black, Thomas Harrison, Tommy Leonard, Sarah Ryan, Valerie Santangelo & Peter Weil for their wonderful performances in Pa Ballet’s La Sylphide. To see an excerpt of their performance please click here.
May 24, 2009
Metropolitan Ballet Company Shines at 2009 Regional Dance Amercia Northeast Festival
Dancers Scott Stampone and Phoebe Gavula honored with awards
Metropolitan Ballet Company (MBC) dancers returned home jubilant from the 2009 Regional Dance America (RDA) Northeast Festival held in Harrisburg, PA on May 21-23, 2009. The Jenkintown- based company joined 11 other pre-professional ballet companies from across the Northeast region for three days of master classes and performances at Harrisburg’s Whitaker Center.
MBC was selected by adjudication to present two works at the Festival. The Company performed Contrasts, by MBC Artistic Director Lisa Collins Vidnovic, on the Festival’s Friday evening Concert program; and Sakamoto Suite, choreographed by Kanji Segawa, on the Saturday evening Gala program. Contrasts was the first presentation of a work by Ms. Vidnovic at Festival; Sakamoto Suite was the third contemporary work commissioned for MBC from Mr. Segawa to be presented at an RDA Festival.
A Festival highlight was the traditional Banquet, where two MBC dancers were honored with awards. Scott Stampone was selected as the male recipient of the Joshua Bridger Carlino Scholarship for Outstanding Performance, and also was presented with an RDA/NE cash award. Phoebe Gavula received the Barbara Weisberger Northeast Regional Founder’s Award, presented annually to gifted dancers to encourage further dance training.
Scott Stampone, age 17, of Meadowbrook, PA, graduated from Germantown Academy in 2009 and was member of the MBC Boys’ Scholarship Program since 2002. In addition to his year-round training at Metropolitan Ballet Company, Scott attended The Ailey School Summer Intensive in 2007, The Juilliard School Summer Dance Intensive in 2008 and the 2009 Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Summer program. Scott is a freshman at New York University Tisch School of the Arts.
Barbara Weisberger with scholarship winner Phoebe Gavula, RDA/NE Festival, Harrisburg, PA May 2009
Phoebe Gavula, age 14, of Glenside, has studied at Metropolitan Ballet since 1996. She has also attended summer programs at Central PA Youth Ballet, American Ballet Theatre / New York, and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy /New York program. The Barbara Weisberger Northeast Regional Founder’s Award carries special significance for former Pennsylvania Ballet dancer and MBC founder and Artistic Director Lisa Collins Vidnovic, who said, “Barbara Weisberger is the only living founder of the Northeast Regional Dance America organization, and she is beloved in Philadelphia as the founder of Pennsylvania Ballet. I am especially honored that one of my students received this significant award.”
MBC is a full performing member of Regional Dance America (RDA), a prestigious national association of ballet companies. RDA alumni from the Northeastern Region include Philadanco, Boston Ballet, and Princeton Ballet. Learn more about RDA at www.regional-dance-america.org.
May 4, 2009
Metropolitan Ballet Senior, Brianna Leporace, Awarded Artist Scholar Designation At The University Of Richmond
Jenkintown, PA- Brianna Leporace, a senior student at the Metropolitan Ballet Academy and member of Metropolitan Ballet Company, auditioned for and was awarded the prestigious University of Richmond Artist Scholar Designation. This highly competitive award provides the equivalent of full tuition for eight semesters of full-time undergraduate study during the regular academic year at the University of Richmond. Tuition for the 2009-10 school year is $40,010.Additional benefits accompanying the Richmond Scholars Artist Designation include a one-time $3,000 grant to support a student-selected activity that enhances the academic experience. Leporace resides in Huntingdon Valley, PA and attends Mount St. Joseph Academy.
Leporace is truly an exceptional dancer, and has been featured in many Metropolitan Ballet Academy and Company productions. Ms. Leporace also placed among the top 12 Seniors at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) 2009 Regional Semifinals, and represented our community at the YAGP New York City Finals held April 17-22nd. Additional ballet awards Leporace received this spring include acceptance to professional summer intensive programs at Ballet Austin, Washington Ballet, and Richmond Ballet with scholarship. Additional academic awards include the Presidential Scholarship at University of Richmond, the Presidential Scholarship at Wake Forest University, and the AJ Scholarship at Drexel University. She will enter the University of Richmond in August 2009.
“I am exceedingly proud of Brianna and honored to work with such a talented and dedicated young woman,” said Metropolitan Ballet Academy Director, Lisa Collins Vidnovic. “Her successes this audition season are the reflection of her talent, intelligence and many, many hours of work in the classroom. She has been a role model not only in her considerable dance abilities, but also in her kindness and generosity to the younger students, her camaraderie in the classroom, and her ability to juggle demanding school responsibilities with the rigors of classical training and commitment to the performing company. I know Brianna will make the most of these amazing opportunities. It is truly a joy to see your student take these kinds of steps out into the world.”
March 2009
Metropolitan Ballet Company announces auditions for boys’ scholarship dance program, led by William DeGregory, artistic director of PA Ballet II
MBC’s acclaimed Boys’ Scholarship Program in 10th anniversary year
Jenkintown, PA -- Metropolitan Ballet Company (MBC) will hold auditions for its Boys’ Scholarship Dance Program on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 9:00 AM, at the studio of Metropolitan Ballet Academy, 700 Cedar Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046. Lisa Collins Vidnovic, founder and Artistic Director of MBC, said that up to 15 boys ages 7-11 and 12-18 will be selected to receive a full year of weekly dance classes with William DeGregory, a former principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet. Mr. DeGregory is currently Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Ballet II, the training company for Pennsylvania Ballet. 57 boys participated in the MBC program this year.
The Boys’ Scholarship Program, a nonprofit outreach program of Metropolitan Ballet Company, provides tuition-free, boys-only classes for students ages 7-18. The Program provides weekly classes in beginning, intermediate and advanced ballet; partnering; and guest instruction in modern, jazz, and character dance; and is designed to enhance athletic skills, flexibility, and strength. Participants in the program also enjoy performance opportunities, including, for eligible students, an invitation to audition for Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Classes begin in September 2009 and continue through June 2010. No prior dance experience is required.
The acclaimed MBC Boys’ Scholarship Program is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. The Program was founded by Vidnovic in 1999 as a way to make ballet accessible to boys in the greater Philadelphia region. Vidnovic, a former Pennsylvania Ballet soloist and Ballet Mistress, founded Metropolitan Ballet Academy (MBA) in 1996 and MBC, a nonprofit, pre-professional performing company, in 2001. Nearly 150 boys ages 7-18 have participated in the Program in the decade since its founding.
The MBC Boys’ Scholarship Program is proud to be supported by generous grants from The Loeb Performing Arts Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation, the Douty Foundation, Sam’s Club Foundation, Kohl’s Cares for Kids, and by many generous gifts from individuals. Metropolitan Ballet Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
For more information about auditions for the Boys’ Scholarship Program, MBA classes for boys and girls, tickets to the MBA Showcase on June 13-14, 2009, or contributions to MBC, call Lisa Collins Vidnovic at 215-663-1665 or visit www.metropolitanballetacademy.com.
March 2009
Four Metropolitan Ballet Academy students place in Youth America Grand Prix semi-finals, three continue to NYC final
Jenkintown, PA—Metropolitan Ballet Academy (MBA) students have much to celebrate this week as four students excelled in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) 2009 Regional Semi- Finals held on March 6–8, 2009 in Torrington, CT and January 9-11, 2009 in Philadelphia, PA.
Kamryn Baldwin (10) won First Place in the Pre-Competitive Age Category; Peter Weil (12) placed in the top 12 in the Junior Classical Ballet Category, Phoebe Gavula (14) placed in the top 12 in both the Junior Classical Ballet and Junior Contemporary Ballet Categories, and Brianna Leporace (17) placed in the top 12 in the Senior Contemporary Ballet Categories.
Baldwin, of Blue Bell, PA; Gavula, of Glenside, PA; and Leporace, of Huntingdon Valley, PA, will go on to compete in the YAGP New York City Finals, April 17-22, 2009, where finalists selected from semi-final rounds conducted all over the globe will compete for over $250,000 in scholarships to 30 of the world’s leading dance schools, as well as job offers from notable dance companies in the U.S. and abroad. Weil is a resident of Jenkintown, PA.
Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) is the world’s largest international student ballet scholarship competition. Now in its 10th Anniversary season, YAGP has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to leading dance schools worldwide. Over 25,000 dancers worldwide have participated in YAGP’s international workshops, competitions, and audition classes, and over 200 YAGP alumni are now dancing with 50 companies around the world, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, among others.
Metropolitan Ballet Academy has been training boys and girls in classical ballet since 1996, and in 2009 is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its nationally-acclaimed Boys’ Scholarship Program, which provides tuition-free dance training for boys 7-18. MBA was founded by Lisa Collins Vidnovic, a former Pennsylvania Ballet soloist and Ballet Mistress. Boys’ Scholarship Program classes are led by William DeGregory, renowned Principal Dancer of Pennsylvania Ballet and current Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Ballet II. Nearly 150 boys ages 7-18 have participated in the program in the decade since its founding.
In 2001 Vidnovic founded the nonprofit Metropolitan Ballet Company (MBC), which provides MBA students with pre-professional performance opportunities and master classes with visiting guest artists and choreographers. MBC dancers regularly appear in Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker and other performances, and perform in schools and elder care facilities throughout the region. In May 2009, the Company will represent its community at the Regional Dance America Festival, performing for the fifth consecutive year. Learn more at www.metropolitanballetacademy.com
May 2007
Auditions to be held for boys' scholarship dance program led by artistic director of PA Ballet II, William DeGregory
Metropolitan Ballet Company will hold auditions for the Boys’ Scholarship Dance Program on Saturday June 2nd, at 9:30am, at the Metropolitan Ballet Academy, 700 Cedar Road, Jenkintown, PA. Up to fifteen children, ages 7-11 & 12-18, will be chosen for a full year of weekly classes with William DeGregory. Mr. DeGregory, formerly a principal dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet, is currently Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Ballet II, the training company for the Pennsylvania Ballet. Forty-eight boys participated in the program this year.
The Boys’ Scholarship Program, a non-profit outreach program of the Metropolitan Ballet Company, provides tuition-free, boys-only classes for students ages 7-18. The program provides weekly classes in beginning, intermediate and advanced ballet, partnering, and guest instruction in modern, jazz and character. The program is designed to enhance athletic skills, flexibility, and strength and includes performance opportunities. Eligible students are also invited to audition for Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Classes begin in September 2007 and continue through June 2008. No prior dance experience is required. back to top
March 2007
Metropolitan Ballet Students Win Natonal Summer Study Opportunities
Metropolitan Ballet Academy is proud to announce the accomplishments of 23 students from the Intermediate & Advanced Divisions and the Boys’ Program.
Julia Brandenberger is accepted to Joffrey Ballet, NYC; Ariel Breitman is accepted to Orlando Ballet & American Ballet Theater AL; Phoebe Gavula is accepted to American Ballet Theater NYC and Chautauqua; Melissa Gelfin is accepted to the Kirov Academy; Irene Goudimyak is accepted to Pacific Northwest Ballet and Orlando Ballet; Brianna Leporace is accepted to Juilliard School Summer Program, NYC; Leah McCormick is accepted to Boston Ballet, Kirov Academy, American Ballet Theatre CA, and Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts ; Candice Nemec to Kirov Academy, Orlando Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theater; Jack Obel will attend Kirov Academy in Washington DC; Julia Phifer is accepted to Kirov Academy, American Ballet Theater TX, North Carolina Dance Theater and will attend Central PA Youth Ballet; Molly Rooney is accepted to Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts & Kirov Academy; Scott Stampone is accepted to the Ailey School in NYC; Jonathan Tavares to American Ballet Theater CA and Orlando Ballet; Jessica Warren to Kirov Academy, Boston Ballet, Joffrey NYC and Orlando Ballet; Olivia Wyszkowski to the Juilliard School Summer Program, NYC
Kamryn Baldwin, Rosalie Baseman, Leela Breitman, Tatiana DiBucci, Wyatt Peterson, Iain Smith, Peter Weil, & Patrick Zanetti will all attend the ABT Young Dancer Summer Workshop in NYC. back to top
March 2007
Metropolitan Ballet Company to Dance Finale of Friday Night Performance at National Regional Dance America Festival
MBC dancers were thrilled to learn that they have been selected to close the Friday night performance of the national Regional Dance America (RDA) Festival in Pittsburgh, PA on April 27, 2007.
MBC will be performing Eternal Space choreographed by Kanji Segawa, a dancer with the popular Mark Morris Dance Group and an emerging choreographer in his own right. This is the second work that Vidnovic has commissioned from Segawa for MBC; the Company has previously performed Segawa’s Toward the Light.
Dancing in the work will be Kristen Astorga, Michael Brown, Andrea D’Annunzio, Lisa Fagan, Melissa Gelfin, Irene Goudimyak, Mary Guarnieri, Brianna Leporace, Torrey McAnena, Leah McCormick, Sarah Mettin, Candice Nemec, Nikita Rosencranz, Scott Stampone, Jonathan Tavares, Kora Vidnovic, Allison Warren, Jessica Warren and Olivia Wyszkowski. Eternal Space was commissioned in part through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
This is only the second national RDA Festival in 50 years, and only the third year that MBC has been a member of RDA. The five-day celebration of dance will involve more than 2000 dancers from 92 companies. back to top
January 2007
Metropolitan Ballet and Settlement Music School to Present Winter Afternoon of Music and Dance
Metropolitan Ballet Company and students from the Jenkintown Branch of the Settlement Music School will present their sixth annual winter afternoon collaborative performance on Saturday, January 27, at 3:00pm, in the Josephine Muller Auditorium at Abington Friends School, 575 Washington Lane, in Jenkintown.
The program will include original works for dancers and musicians choreographed by MBC Artistic Director, Lisa Collins Vidnovic, and an exhilarating world premiere by New York dancer and choreographer, Kanji Segawa, currently with the Mark Morris Dance Company.
Eighteen young musicians, including soloists, a piano duo, and a piano trio will be showcased with the thirty-three member classical dance company. Musical selections will include pieces by Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Schumann, and Nyman. back to top
January 2007
Metrop olitan Dancers Participate in 2007 Youth America Grand Prix
On January 21, 2007, junior dancers Phoebe Gavula, Melissa Gelfin, Mary Guarnieri, Leah McCormick, Julia Phifer, Michael Brown, Matt Douglas, Sasha Niederritter, Jack Obel & BJ Stuetz, and senior dancers Andrea D’Annunzio, Brianna Leporace, Torrey McAnena & Candice Nemec represented MBA in the Youth America Grand Prix classical ballet competition. All danced beautifully at the lovely Lange Performing Arts Center at Swarthmore College. Leah McCormick placed in the top twelve students for the Junior Classical Division, and Brianna Leporace place in the top twelve students for the Senior Contemporary Division. Congratulations to you all! back to top
December 2006
Metropolitan Ballet Academy Students to Perform in Pennsylvania Ballet 's The Nutcracker
Metropolitan Ballet Academy of Jenkintown, PA is proud to announce that fifty-one of its students are performing in the Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker this season. For each of the past seven years, students from MBA’s boys’ program have been invited to participate. For the past two years, all Metropolitan Ballet Academy students ages 8 and above have been invited to audition.
Lisa Collins Vidnovic, Founder and Director of MBA and former dancer and ballet mistress at the PA Ballet, is exceptionally proud of her students as they step onto the Academy stage.
“As a dancer in the Philadelphia area, participating in our city’s professional ballet production of The Nutcracker is one of the premier opportunities a young performer could hope for. I am very proud of each of the dancers, and appreciate the support of all of their parents. This is an honor to each of you, to me, and to our school.” back to top
November 2006
Broadway Break for Local Boys
Twelve boys are still flying high this week after New York City casting agent Nora Brennan phoned Metropolitan Ballet Academy director, Lisa Collins Vidnovic, in search of talented boys with a passion for dance and invited them to audition for the Broadway version of the movie Billy Elliot.
The audition, an invitational call, was held Sunday, November 12, 2006, at the School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center, in New York City. Eleven boys, ages 10-13, from Metropolitan’s highly regarded Boys’ Scholarship Program and one young dancer from the School of the Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble accompanied Ms. Collins and several parent chaperones on the big city adventure. Two boys made the final cut and await Spring call-back auditions. More than 130 boys from the East Coast competed in the weekend long round of auditions. back to top
September 2006
Metropolitan Ballet Presents Premiere of Children's Classic, The Rainbow Fish
On October 21st and 22nd Metropolitan Ballet Company will present The Family Concert Series. Especially designed to introduce dance to young audiences, the program will feature the company premiere of The Rainbow Fish, based on the popular children’s book of the same name by Marcus Pfister. The production is choreographed by Jennifer Sommers, includes narration, and is set to music by Eric Satie. Also on the program will be the Lichine’s comic ballet Graduation Ball and a modern dance premiere by New York choreographer
Katarzyna Skarpetowska. back to top
September 2006
MBC Boys' Scholarship Program Makes the Front Page of the Philadelphia Inquirer
Link to article in the Phila inquirer—OR PDF OF ARTICLE?
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