Moscow Ballet Goes Toe-To-Toe with Wolcott Dance Academy

On December 18, the Moscow Ballet and 43 young dancers from the Wolcott Dance Academy performed the world renowned “Great Russian Nutcracker” to an almost sold out audience at the Place Theatre in Waterbury.

Mrs. Linda Eustace, Director of the Wolcott Dance Academy, was honored at being selected for the second consecutive year to be the local coordinator and rehearsal coach. Eustace is proud to be part of the Moscow Ballet’s educational outreach campaign “The Arts can make a difference.”

The Moscow Ballet performed in over 70 cities, giving dancers across the United States the opportunity to audition and dance onstage with the famed troupe.

In September, Eustace hosted Russian ballet soloist Marianna Rusu who came to Wolcott to conduct a master ballet class and hold the open audition for local dancers from the ages of 5 to 18. Children chosen at the audition started learning their roles and rehearsed for ten weeks at the Wolcott Dance Academy.

Eustace was thrilled to be able to help give these young dancers an opportunity of a lifetime. It is a memorable experience for any dancer to participate in such a professional performance.

Performance day for the Wolcott dancers started at 9 p.m. at the Palace Theatre with a costume fitting, followed by pictures and a rehearsal with the Moscow Ballet. The performance finally started at 7:30 p.m. after a full afternoon of preparation.

The Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” is world famous for its spectacular stage sets, beautiful costumes, and unique choreography.

Readers can see Rusu’s arrival and audition, and the pictures of the local children, by visiting www.nutcracker.com and following the links to Marianna Rusu, the Wolcott Dance Academy, and performance city (Waterbury).

Congratulations to Linda Eustace, the Wolcott Dance Academy, and all the dancers: Rachel Abraham, Julia Barros, Julia Belair, Rachel Bennett, Carissa Berardi, Kianna Bergin, Trista Burdick, Cassondra Caruso, Cali Rose Doyon, Maya Duplessis, Jordena Dupree, Kylie Fernet, Sarah Feero, Meghan Georgescu, Adrianna Gizzi, Chelsea Hart, Sarah Hull, Ashley Jacobson, Grace Kausyla, Julianna Kingsbury, Amber Lewis, Leah Malcarne, Jenna Masotta, Alyssa Mazzucco, Carol McCormack, Amanda Morelli, Ashley Musso, Latavia Parker, Alyssa Parrillo, Elana Perugini, Nicole Prescott, Brooke Radaski, Malia Rasco, Heather Rice, Janine Sirois, Garbielle St. Hilaire, Erika Strachen, Leah Strachen, Brook Tracey, Stephanie Vargas, Makayla Wagner, Hannah Wood, and Jenna Woodard.

Dancers Perform At State Capitol

Students from the Wolcott Dance Academy were asked to perform at the State Capitol for the third year in a row. They performed two shows on Fathers’ Day, June 14th, for the Concorso Ferrari 2009 Show. About 100 vintage and modern Ferrari’s were on display at the Capitol and a parade of over 40 Ferrari’s picked up patients from the CT Children’s Medical Center and brought them to the Capitol for lunch. The dancers were honored to be part of this event, which helps numerous sick and injured children. The Concorso Ferrari Event raises thousands of dollars for not only the CT Children’s Medical Center but for several children’s charities.

New York Talent Scout Discovers New Talent

Peter Sklar, a nationally acclaimed speaker, author, educator, talent scout and Broadway Producer of the upcoming Broadway Musical "The Kid Who Played The Palace" gave a free two hour lecture and later interviewed the kids, teens and young adults who were in attendance. Mr. Sklar has discovered and coached hundreds of successful young performers, including Sara Jessica Parker, Reese Witherspoon, Ricki Lake, and Rick Schroder to name a few.

The lecture was hosted by the Wolcott Dance Academy on Friday, March 12th. It was open to anyone over the age of six. About forty kids and their parents showed up to hear Sklar give advice and answer questions about a career in showbiz, what directors look for and touched on some problems that kids face today.

Sklar studied concert piano at New York's Juilliard School of music and is an accomplished musician. He also holds a Masters Degree in Education from Harvard University, with a concentration in counseling and child/adolescent development. In his lecture he told the kids how important it is to be open and honest and build a healthy self-image. He also played songs from his new musical and was interested in their reaction to each song.

After the lecture Mr. Sklar interviewed the kids in a group and then one on one. He told Linda Eustace, director of the Wolcott Dance Academy that he was pleasantly surprised by the group and felt the kids were very interesting. He invited 12 of them to attend his Beginnings Workshop in upstate New York this summer. Those chosen from the Wolcott Dance Academy were Emily Audibert, Brianna Barry, Inacio Dias, Samantha D'Angelo, Lisa Dolan, Melissa Doyle, and Rachael Ramonas.

Nicole Zimyeski and Victoria Sforza, teachers at the Dance Academy were previously chosen and attended his workshop on Sklar's first visit in 1977. He offered them the chance to attend the workshop again this year as chaperones and attend the classes for free.

All in all, the lecture was a great success and the kids that were chosen are very excited.