The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Nutmeg provides ‘Introduction to Ballet’ series
TORRINGTON – Students from St. John Paul the Great Academy, formerly St. Peter/St. Francis School, are learning a few things about ballet they probably never knew.
“When you put words together, you can tell a story,” said Victoria Mazzarelli, artistic director at Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory. She told the group of 25 students, from grades 5 through 8, that learning ballet is like putting letters together to form words, then sentences, then stories.
“In ballet, you combine a sequence of steps to create a dance. Dancers use their bodies to tell the story,” she said.
The introductory program came about through a conversation among Father Emmanuel Ihemedu, Pastor of St. John Paul the Great Parish in Torrington; Joan Kunsch, Nutmeg’s associate artistic director and national audition tour codirector; and Dr. Nancy Testa, principal of St. John Paul the Great Academy.
When Father Ihemedu was assigned to the parish in 2018, he was faced with the prospect of closing the school. He feared that would be bad for the parish and bad for the community. He found creative ways to keep it open, including implementing a sliding tuition scale and expanding the curriculum.
Father Ihemedu and Kunsch spoke with Dr. Testa, who approved the program. Nutmeg then designed a 10week curriculum for novice dancers, many with no previous ballet experience. Sessions include gentle limbering and strengthening exercises, posture, basic ballet combinations, jumps and other lessons.
“The series of classes is intended to improve balance, musicality, coordination, quick learning skills, muscular engagement, changes of dynamic, core strength, and arm control. All exercises are intended to increase focus and attention span,” a program description states.
Alexandria Propfe, a junior high and intermediate teacher at the school, said, “They come to school the next day and tell us how sore they are. It’s good for them. It’s designed so the kids can become aware of everything that ballet is. It’s not just what they think it is. There’s a lot more to it. They’re really enjoying it.”
“The kids are loving it,” Testa agreed. She said it brings life back into learning and brings out each child’s creativity. She said when she greets them on their return each week and asks how it went, they say, “Oh, it was great! We get to have fun, but at the same time we’re stretching. We know it’s helping us to build our core.”
“Not only does it open up the kids’ eyes, but it also starts putting them in a mind frame, let’s say, of what they think they want to do later in life,” Testa said.
Kunsch, one of the instructors of the class, said, “When they understood and could do what was asked of them, the students’ faces lit up with joy. This sort of self confidencebuilding achievement and fulfillment of talent can provide an impetus for a healthy and productive future. Victoria Mazzarelli and I are so happy to be a part of this new initiative.”
Mia Mastrogiovanni, an eighthgrade student in the program, said that when she first heard of the program, “I thought that was the coolest thing ever, because when I was younger I always dreamed of dancing up here.”
Conal Toland, a sixthgrader, said he had two reasons for volunteering to take the program.
“Number one, it would take time off from school,” he said with a laugh, but quickly added, “and number two, I’m always riding by here and see people in here so I thought, hey, maybe I can go inside there.”
Mia said, “I just love everything about it. The room is cool. The teachers are great. I just love it all.”
Conal said that he loves even the things he’s bad at. Asked what those might be, he laughed, “Most of it. When we do that skip and gallop, I always fall down on my knees.”
The program is one of many ways Nutmeg reaches out to the community to instruct or entertain in free or lowcost ways, according to Donna Mattiello, director of academics. In addition to offering this program, Nutmeg routinely asks its students to perform at civic events, schools, business openings, fundraising events, festivals, nursing homes, libraries and more.
Mazzarelli said, “The discipline and focus that it takes to be a dancer is something that can be transferred to the students’ everyday life. We hope they walk away from each class feeling uplifted and energized!”
For information on other programs Nutmeg offers, and to learn of upcoming events celebrating Nutmeg’s 50th anniversary, call 8604824413 or go to nutmegconservatory.org .