Young Professionals

Young Professionals

Young Professionals
2007-2008

Director
Jimmy Locust

Co-Director
Alison Amicone

Instructor
Josue Jasmin

Young Professionals Mission Statement:
The Young Professionals Program is designed to
educate and illuminate the minds and bodies
of young dancers to a refined professional level.
By using the strict etiquette and poise of Ballet,
and the strength and concentration of various Jazz techniques, we strive for excellence.

The Young Professionals Program consists of a group of students selected by Jimmy and Alison who show potential to grow in dance with specialized training. The students selected have exceeded the expectations of the staff during class time, and we feel strongly that in time, these students will progress into well-trained dancers.
In addition to classes, the Young Professionals will be invited to perform with SPAC at various venues such as the Stamford Towne Center Mall Performance. This program is exclusive and requires dedication, hard work, and appropriate behavior. Students are expected to maintain a certain level of professionalism at all times. Any deviation from these standards could result in removal from the program.

Junior Young Professionals took the time out of their
busy holiday schedule to visit New Vision International Women and Children's Shelter in Bridgeport.
The students put on a performance for everyone and later gave out presents to the children.

Click to enlarge

Current 2007 - 2008 Members (Juniors):
Alexa Baer, Taylor Collins, Charlotte Fleischman,
Julia Matusiewicz & Raeann Scott

2006-2007 Junior Young Professionals Taylor Collins, Ivory McCulley
& Reann Scott before their performance at the Laurel House

Junior Young Professionals perform at the Laurel House
L to R: Julia Matusiewicz, Taylor Collins, Ivory McCulley,
Sarah Druckman & Charlotte Fleischman

Senior Young Professionals perform at the Laurel House
from L to R: Madeline DiNucci, Victoria Rapisarldi & Valentina Parker

Madeline DiNucci                Grace Dahlman              Antonia Bova,
                                                                                              Jamie Dolce
                                                                                               & Valentina Parker
...as they perform Alison Amicone's Jazz number!

Current 2007-2008 Members (Seniors):
Julie Arditti, Antonia Bova, Madeline DiNucci, Jamie Dolce,
Nicole May, Victoria Rapisarldi, Julia Vizioli & Monika Znosko

       Seniors 2007-2008 Ballet Learned Terminology
                           Courtesy of the ABT Website
pique - to prick
chaine - a series of rapid turns on demi-pointe
first arabesque - (pictured below)
Position of the body in profile supported on one leg
echappe - escaping or slipping movement
glissade - traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position into the required direction, the other foot closing to it

Seniors 2007-2008 Jazz Learned Terminology
Courtesy of the ABT Website
chasse - one foot chases the other out of position
pas de bourree - feet move back side front
chaine - a series of rapid turns on demi-pointe

Juniors 2007-2008 Ballet Learned Terminology
Courtesy of the ABT Website
developpe - working leg is drawn up to the knee of the supporting leg and slowly extended to an open position
glissade - traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position into the required direction, the other foot closing to it
pas de chat - step of the cat

     Juniors 2007-2008 Jazz Learned Terminology
                                Courtesy of the ABT Website
chasse - one foot chases the other out of position
pas de bourree - feet move back side front
chaine - a series of rapid turns on demi-pointe

Photo by Doug Beasley

Ballet Dress Requirements:

For first week of classes, please follow the Fall & Winter descriptions.
Dark Long-Sleeve Leotard (black or navy blue) for Fall & Winter
Dark Short-Sleeve Leotard (black or navy blue) for Spring & Summer
Pink or Black Tights
Pink Ballet Shoes for girls
Black or White Ballet Shoes for boys
Hair in a bun (all hair must be pulled off face)
Ballet Skirts (optional)
Boys: White T-Shirt; Black Tights

Jazz Dress Requirements:

Dark Leotard or T-Shirt (no writing)
Black Jazz Pants or Black Fitted Sweat Pants or Black Tights
Jazz Shoes

2006-2007 learned terminology
Courtesy of the ABT Website:

In the Ballet portion of Young Professionals, Juniors have worked on the spelling and meanings of the following words:
plie - to bend, tendu - to stretch, port de bras - movement of the arms, piqué - pricking; stepping directly on the point or demi-pointe of the working foot, with the other foot raised in the air, en croix - front, side, back, side, (the shape of a cross) & cambre - body is bent from the waist backward or sideways, the head following the movement of the body.

Center work has included: sautes - to jump, in 1st and 2nd postions, port de bras - arm movements from first 1st, 2nd and 5th positions, chasse - one foot chases the other out of its position, arabesque - a profiled position of the body, supported on one leg & pas de chat - step of the cat

In the Ballet portion of Young Professionals, Seniors have been excelling at a fast pace. They have learned to spell and execute plie, tendu, degage, echappe - escaping or slipping movement in 2nd and 4th positions, pas de bourre & passe.
Center work has included: degage - pointing of the foot in an open position with a fully arched instep, sautes in 1st and 2nd positions, pas de chat - step of the cat step, en croix - front, side, back, side, (the shape of a cross) & sous sus - over-under.

2007-2008 Senior Young Professionals
Julia Vizioli, Nikki May, Jamie Dolce, Julie Arditti, Monika Znosko,
Madeline DiNucci, Antonia Bova & Victoria Rapisarldi

Young Professionals Juniors at a 2007 photo shoot

Young Professionals Seniors with Director, Jimmy Locust
Julie Arditti, Julia Vizioli, Valentina Parker, Antonia Bova, Jamie Dolce, Grace Dahlman, Nikki May, Victoria Rapisarldi, Emma Znosko, Hajer Ben Man-Sour and Sara Jean Hartless.

Starting 2008-2009, all Young Professional members will have to audition for re-entry.

The requirements for this program are:

Juniors:

¨ (1) Ballet Class instructed by Josue (#210)

¨ (1) Jazz Technique Class instructed by Alison (#202)

¨ One additional class of your choice by any instructor (hip-hop, tap, musical theatre, etc.)

Seniors:

¨ (1) Ballet Class instructed by Jimmy (#315)

¨ (1) Jazz Technique Class instructed by Alison ( #302)

¨ One additional class of your choice by any instructor (hip-hop, tap, musical theatre, etc.)

* In our new schedule for the upcoming school year, you will notice specific classes marked Young Professionals Juniors or Seniors. These classes are closed to the general public and are by invitation only.

Please be advised, evaluations will be held at the end of the first or second trimester to discuss your child's progress with the Young Professionals Program. Any child not meeting the standards for Young Professionals will be placed in alternate classes and will have the opportunity to re-audition the following year. The Management reserves the right to update or change this addendum at any point.

If you are interested in the Young Professionals Program and have not been invited, please contact Jimmy Locust or Alison Amicone by phone at (203) 323-2623 or by email at dance@stamfordperformingarts.com.

Click on the pictures below of Alison & Jimmy
to see their biographies

Bringing the Performing Arts to a Higher Standard of Excellence