As part of the NORD/NOBA Center for Dance, students in the Pre-Professional Program can receive scholarships to train during the summer at programs around the country. In 2009, four students received tuition scholarships from the New Orleans Ballet Association to study at prestigious summer dance festivals. Upon returning from their performance in Charleston, these students performed at summer camps throughout the city of New Orleans as well as at a public community performance at NOCCA.
Over the years, we have witnessed the impact that summer study has had on our students in their technical training and social development. We asked this year’s scholarship recipients to share their experiences with you. |
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Malerie Dempster
In January, I auditioned for Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Summer Intensive Program. From June 20 through July 31, I was one of 225 students chosen to attend. I participated in level 6, level 8 being the highest. I was surrounded by students who were just as passionate about ballet and all its aspects as I was. We were taught by instructors who were the best in the world! They really understood the craft and gave the best advice. Studying with Houston Ballet was so inspiring! Therefore, I worked harder to improve my abilities and technique in every class and will continue to do so throughout the year. The time I spent training in Houston was one of the best times of my life, and I made life-long friends along the way. I can't wait until next year when, hopefully, I’ll be accepted again! |
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Zuzanna Mrozek
The time I spent at the American Dance Festival (ADF) this summer really made me study how I view dance and my role in it. I was constantly exposed to new ways of looking at dance, and I feel that I truly transcended just being a dancer. My teachers pushed me to reexamine my technique, performance, and choreographic process. ADF provided me with numerous opportunities to take classes with guest artists and to audition for works by some of today’s most innovative choreographers. I worked with Mark Dendy and his company on two site-specific pieces. Most importantly, this summer allowed me to live in a bubble of art and dance that enlightened me and exposed me to others who love dance just as much as I do. I met many beautiful, creative people who I will keep in contact with and I made many career-building connections. My attempt to explain my experience only grazes how deeply this summer changed me, and I have to say that it was one of the best times of my life. |
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Courtney Ross
My summer has been filled with experiences that not every dancer is lucky enough to be granted. It began with a trip to Charleston, SC, with the NORD/NOBA Center for Dance. While in Charleston, we performed at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and at the local children's hospital. Those two performances meant a lot to me in that I was lucky enough to be on stage at a festival that is well known around the world. It also makes me feel good about myself to know that performing at the hospital brought smiles to the faces of children who are going through more than I can imagine, especially at such a young age. After returning home from SC, I quickly repacked for the next thing on my summer agenda: going to San Francisco. I was there for five weeks, attending the summer intensive with Alonzo King's LINES Ballet. Attending this program really gave me an idea of the life of a professional dancer. I experienced what a dancer's daily schedule is like (we danced from 8:30am until at least 5pm every day). I also realized that in order to keep my life interesting and fulfilling as a dancer, I must always push myself beyond what I think are my "limits" and should approach everyday with a different mindset than the day before. After my two week break at home, I headed to New York to attend another intensive with Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company. The program taught me to "let go" when I dance. As a dancer, I often care too much about what I look like, and what people think. Complexions taught me to focus on self-expression instead of trying to dance to please someone else. |
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Raven Ross
This summer I participated in the Boston Conservatory Summer Dance Intensive as well as the summer program at NOBA. The summer’s busy schedule proved to be beneficial to my progression in dance technique. I enjoyed attending both intensives and learned a great deal from each. The opportunity I received to travel and learn about dance at the Boston Conservatory was incomparable. I had not been to Boston before my summer trip, but the experience was enjoyable and I would consider Boston Conservatory for college. I am definitely grateful that I got to attend this summer program.
All of these scholarships are provided by NOBA through funds donated by Men and Women of Fashion and BRAVO. In the summer of 2009, NOBA awarded more scholarships than ever before. Thank you to the donors that made this possible. |
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