Straz Center for Performing Arts has established a ballet company right here in Tampa Bay.
Next Generation Ballet (NGB) will have two performances for this 2010 and 2011 season in the Straz Center:
The Nutcracker on Dec. 22 and 23 and A Midsummer Night’s Dream on May 14.
Peter Stark, artistic director of NGB, created this ballet company after working for the Orlando Ballet Company for 10 years.
During his time there, Stark saw that dancers were coming from all over the world to train, gain stage experience and continue with their careers.
He noticed how successful the company had become and thought he could make a stand-alone model.
“We’re encouraging young artists to use this as a stepping stone,” Stark said.
NGB is pooling resources from The Straz Center and the Patel Conservatory and are able to offer more because of them. Patel Conservatory is a youth ballet company located at Straz Center.
There will be guest dancers and international stars performing in the two productions.
For The Nutcracker they have professionals coming from the New York City Ballet Company and the Boston Ballet Company.
Studying under the guest dancers, are eight apprentice dancers that have completed their training and are looking to expand their resume.
These students are between the ages of 16 and 21.There are also 12 advanced dancers called trainees within the same age range Most of the apprentice dancers have moved from Washington, New Jersey and Orlando.
The trainees are mostly local. The trainees participate in the program by dancing at the Patel Conservatory and auditioning for the company.
Patel Conservatory will be offering correspondence academic schooling because serious dancers are required to have a flexible schedule.
This is made possible by partnering with Kaplan Home School Education and Tampa Preparatory School.
Their schedule is adjusted to fit the hours NGB requires students to dance.he institution is in the process of getting accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. With the proper accreditation the students can use their dance classes for credit.
Patel also offers a Dance Card for Tampa Bay area college students. There is a five-class card for $65 or a 10-class card for $120.
This card makes it possible for students to take dance classes without a commitment. The cards can be used until its fully punched or until the expiration date expires.
For more information contact Leslie Farrell at lesliebethfarrell@hotmail.com