PRO ARTE ALPHEN PARK’S Dance Department is part of a very special and focused school, which offers talented students the opportunity to grow personally as well as explore their creativity as dancers.
The present Dance Faculty has evolved from a past that gave it a strong foundation to build on. The young, vibrant and enthusiastic staff members have the required passion for dance, and being experts in their respective fields, the necessary skills to take the department proudly forward into the future.
The Dance Department offers:Ballet, Spanish and Jazz dance as part of the curriculum and also includes these theoretical subjects:Safe Dance Practice and Health Care, Dance History and Literacy plus Music theory / practical in grades 8 & 9.This is a unique environment that not
only nurtures the students’ individual talents, but also offers the theoretical background that allows them to pursue diverse career paths within the dynamic world of dance.
The exceptional teaching team comprises of: Head of Department,Nigel Hannah (Ballet and theory), Sue Kirkland (Ballet), Helen de Jongh(Jazz Dance, History & Anatomy, Grades 10 -12), Maria Lorca Montoya (Spanish Dance), Cillié Burger(Music),and Ferdi Geyer who accompanies all the ballet classes.
This dedicated team share a strong bond of friendship, mutual respect and passion for their craft and individual subjects that stimulate the learners to achieve their full potential.
As part of their dance education at Pro Arte Alphen Park, the learners are privileged to perform at the State Theatre Drama annually. This year’s celebrated event takes place on 14 May 2016 and is widely renowned and supported by the dance fraternity of Pretoria and surrounding areas. There will be 2 performances only: 14 May @ 15:00 and the celebrated Gala performance @19:30 with pre-performance cocktail snacks and wine (included in the price of the ticket) from 18:30.
This year’s production entitled “Absolute Dance 2016” includes Act 2 of “Coppélia” (Ballet), choreography by Saint-Léon. A brand new commissionedcontemporary work choreographed by Ignatius van Heerden, plus two works by grade 12 learners and “A Carmen Suite” (Spanish) choreography by Helena Montoya.
Act 2 of “Coppélia” is a fun filled work that encompasses many different facets of a full repertoire ballet. Not only does it challenge the dancers technically but also includes understanding stage craft and acting too, as they draw an audience into the world of deception and an obsessive “Dr Coppélius” whose life revolves around the creation of dolls and magic.
“Fragments” Choreography by Ingnatius Van Heerden, combines technical jazz and contemporary dance on intricate music.
“As people we live our lives in fragments. Not all of our true nature is present at all times. We carefully select which fragment of ourselves we use in situations. In the work Fragments, I play on the thought that things, that are not intended for a situation, might actually be interesting in that situation.”
Fragments will leave you enthralled and even a little confused.
A bonus this year will be 2 works by grade 12 learners who excelled in their grade 11 choreography Performance Assessment Task entitled “Macabre” by Bianca Janse van Vuuren and “You are my burden” by Liseth Lamprecht. This will be an exciting addition to “Absolute Dance 2016” and hope it will thrill you as it did us to examining it.
A Carmen Suite,choreography by Helena Montoya has this to say about her work:
“I chose the music from CARMEN by George Bizet as this holds a very special warm place in my heart, life and dancing career.
As a teacher my motto has always been “If you want to learn to dance with me and you choose to do this, I will give you the opportunity to perform on stage, no matter what your Spanish dance abilities are.
I have put this motto to use in this choreography using every dancer in the department from grade 9 to Matric, even the grade 9’s having only had just over 1 years Spanish dance tuition (which barely gives one time to touch the surface) all the way up to the fabulous grade 12s.I give everyone a chance.”
Be sure not to miss this breathtaking occasion of dance.
COMPUTICKET: 0839158000 or online @ www.computicket.com
OR AT THE THEATRE ON THE DAY
TICKET PRICES:
Saturday 14 May @ 15:00 R100.00
Saturday 14 May @ 19:30 R170.00
Block bookings of 10 persons or more will receive a 10% Discount