RIGHT TIME TO DANCE
Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s Classical Kids program introduces Maple Avenue Middle School students to a variety of dancing genres
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Every student at Maple Avenue Middle School had a chance to dance Tuesday.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s Classical Kids program, which introduces children to dance genres as well as the fundamentals of dance, has visited Capital Region schools for a quarter century.
Children throughout the region are invited by SPAC to attend New York City Ballet’s Romeo + Juliet program on July 20. Any child who attends then receives a free SPAC lawn pass valid for admission to all orchestra and ballet performances at SPAC until their high school graduation.
“It’s really important for students to be able to attend performances and also perform themselves,” said Dennis Moench, senior director of education at SPAC. “It develops self esteem, self awareness, so many valuable skills in young people.
“We see it all of the time and it’s really an important thing I think for students to be able to have in their lives.”
This year, SPAC teamed up with dancers of Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, which opened 27 years ago.
Founder Ellen Sinopoli said her company was excited to be involved with SPAC.
“The program that’s presented at SPAC it’s the best in the world, and I hope the
children understand what a special opportunity they have here,” said Sinopoli. “It is the responsibility of artists and presenters to educate the young, and to let them know what it out there, and what art forms are out there. They aren’t all going to be professional dancers or professional painters or professional actors, but to know that’s there and develop an appreciation for it. That’s part of our job. It’s not just about performing.”
Madeline Morser, André Robles and Maggie Ciambrone taught children ballet, tap and modern dance through an hour-long session.
“We expose them to classical art forms, dance and orchestra then we invite them to come to SPAC, so it’s all about developing an appreciation for these art forms and allowing students the opportunity to see them at no cost,” said Moench. “We are giving them the opportunity to really develop relationships with these companies that we have every single summer.”
Moench himself was an actor on Broadway for 12 years. He said he fell in love with dance during those years.
“I was always the singeractor, but I would watch from the wings to see the dancers on stage. I love it all,” said Moench. “I love all types of dance. I really find it beautiful and inspirational. I wish I could do it as well as some of the people that I work with, because it’s just fascinating and beautiful for me to watch.”