Dancing with the Masters 2012

In March, dancers at ISB and throughout the region participated in Dancing with the Masters, a master class series concept pioneered by ISB’s Victoria Lyras in 2008. The Penrod Society has supported the series since its inception. The two Sunday afternoon classes were a wonderful opportunity for students, teachers and dancers to experience some of these exemplary leaders. 

The idea of Dancing with the Masters is to combine instruction and social interaction fostering an exchange of ideas and the occasion to expose talented students in Indianapolis to future employers. Michael Vernon, Ballet Department Chair at Indiana University's Jacob School of Music, and David Hochoy, Dance Kaleidoscope's Artistic Director, led the classes.

Ms. Lyras said, “I was thrilled to observe Michael Vernon teaching these young dancers… passing on knowledge and experiences he had shared with me during my career and when I danced in his company in New York. He is an influential presence. David Hochoy and I share a deep connection with the mentors who guided us to establish our careers… David with Martha Graham, and I with George Balanchine. The Graham and Balanchine connection dates back to the early 1940s when they were both faculty at the School of American Ballet, founded by Balanchine in 1934. It was fantastic for dancers to have this opportunity so accessible. I really feel this responsibility to the next generation, to give them access to great ideas. And, just as the dancers learned by doing, I learned by watching.” And, with a smile, Ms. Lyras said, “It’s also great to see that moment flash in a student’s eyes when they recognize something I’ve said to them, repeated by one of our master teachers.”

Renowned personalities in the dance world who have come to Indianapolis to conduct classes for Dancing with the Mastersin previous years include Edward Villella, Violette Verdy, Suki Schorer, and Barbara Weisberger. The series has evolved over the last four years. This year, in addition to the two afternoon classes, three remarkable teachers will come to Indianapolis to work with dancers at ISB’s Summer Intensives. 

The roster of guest teachers slated for Summer Intensive residencies in 2012 includes-

• Week of June 11: Zippora Karz, former soloist ballerina with the New York City Ballet and a recognized Balanchine repetiteur;
• Weeks of June 18 and 25: Paul Vitali, former Principal Dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet and Feld Ballets/NY and faculty at Florida International University and Miami City Ballet School; and
• Weeks of July 9 and 16: Scott Jovovich, former dancer in ballet companies around the world including The Joffrey, Pittsburgh, and companies in England and Korea; in musicals on Broadway and at Lincoln Center; now with New York City Dance Alliance and University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Photos from Dancing with the Masters in March: credit V. Lyras and S. Clark

 

ISB dancer wins second prize at competition

H. Rosenfeld performing Gamzatti's La Bayadere. Photo credit Sonja Clark.

Hannah Rosenfeld, a 15-year-old dancer in Indianapolis School of Ballet's Pre-Professional Program Advanced Division won second prize in the Ballet Category at the 2012 National Society of Arts and Letters, Bloomington Chapter. Several prizes were awarded in voice, instrumental and ballet competitions held in February at the Jacobs School of Music. In addition to a cash prize, the top two prizewinners in each category perform at the NSAL 46th Annual Showcase of the Arts on Sunday, April 15, at 2 p.m. in the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center auditorium. The program is free and open to the public. Hannah will perform Aurora's 3rd Act variation from Sleeping Beauty. On May 19 and 20, you can see Hannah performing in ISB's production, Russian Treasures.

Hannah began studying dance at the age of four and has trained with Victoria Lyras at the Indianapolis School of Ballet since 2007. Hannah has also attended summer intensive programs at the School of Ballet Chicago, Louisville Ballet, American Ballet Theatre’s Young Dancer Workshop, and Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell at the Kennedy Center. She has performed with Ballet Internationale, Butler Ballet, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, and Indianapolis School of Ballet. In 2011, she danced the second violin principal role in George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco at the School of Ballet Chicago’s Summer Workshop Performance.

The Bloomington Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters was founded in 1966 by professionals and patrons representing both Indiana University and the south-central Indiana region. Since its founding, the chapter has awarded more than $500,000 to emerging young artists preparing for professional careers. Annual competitions in the arts are judged by active professionals in visual arts, dance, drama, literature, music and musical theatre. The National Society of Arts and Letters, a not-for-profit organization founded in Washington, D.C. in 1944, encourages and provides financial assistance to talented young artists at the beginning of their careers.

Our New Lori

Lori Ecker at the mic

We welcome ISB’s new Operations Manager, Lori Ecker! 

Now, it's really just a coincidence... REALLY... that we keep choosing Operations Managers with the same first name. It's not a prerequisite for the job.

Our new Lori comes with a wealth of experience in both the business world and the arts world. These are great assets to have in order to balance all the different roles she will assume at the Indianapolis School of Ballet.

Lori graduated with a theater degree from Ball State University. As a senior in college, she started taking voice lessons because she knew she “could carry a tune and had a pleasant voice” and wanted to be more marketable as an actor. Roles in musicals followed, as well as a master’s degree in fine arts in the Professional Actor Training Program at Ohio University. Lori then did what many aspiring actors do -- she went to live in New York City. During her four years there she performed in numerous concerts and cabarets.

After coming back to the Midwest, Lori got involved with the theater scene in Indianapolis. She also began working for Johnson Controls. For eight years, she was their Office Administrator wearing multiple hats… great training for what she’s doing at here at ISB… as far ranging as Accounts Receivable to managing their fleet of trucks. She is a woman who knows how to strike a balance -- by day at Johnson Controls, by night onstage with the Indianapolis Opera, Footlite Musicals, or recording her solo CD entitled Incredibly Eclectic (2007). (available at CDBaby.com)

When asked about her new position here at ISB, Lori said, "I am so thrilled to have become a part of the dynamic team at ISB!! I look forward to learning much, much more about the world of dance/ballet since my background is solely theatre and singing. It's also fantastic to be able to work on the business end of the arts which I have wanted to do for quite a few years now. I can already tell what a wonderful group of students and parents attend ISB, and I look forward to getting to know then all, as well."

So, when the talented Lori isn’t at her post at ISB, I bet she’s preparing her next cabaret show. For a little sample of her singing, or to find out where she’s performing live, visit www.loriaecker.com.