Whitemarsh Township Day

 IDA Reps all pulled through and showed their professionalism in another challenging yet successful performance.  Even on a cement slab with the wind blowing and the horn of the passing train, IDA Repertory Companies dazzled the crowd.  A special standing ovation for Hip-hop Company and Lafayette Hill Senior Rep who both were unexpectedly down a dancer but did whatever it took proving that “the show must go on” and making it happen no matter what.  Stefanie killed it with her AMAZING improvisation in Beggin’ brining the crowd to a cheer.  The premiere of Miss Sarah’s new Lafayette Hill Rep was a great success and left everyone wanting to see the full version in the upcoming spring concerts.  Junior Rep’s premiere of Terrible Things was also a hit and Lucy in the Sky was better than ever.  Watch out for J-Rep.  They are up and coming!  And Mein Herr was as solid as ever as the finale piece.  Even though the banner read “Institute of Dance & Artistry”, yesterday was a great day for Institute of Dance Artistry (IDA does not offer painting or sculpture for any confused first time blog readers).  On to Relay!

“You can dance anywhere, even if only in your heart.”- Author Unknown

Spring Update

It’s been a while but I am officially back! Year 10 carries on with lots of excitement leading into the spring. Next Sunday is one of our favorite annual performances- Abramson Center. It’s the official kick off to the 2011 Rep performance season where many of the new pieces will debut. Look out for a sneak peek of the Tuesday 5:15 FW lyrical piece as well as a beautiful duet by 2 of the LH Senior Rep dancers. We will also premiere Mein Herr which is definitely going to be a spring show stopper! And of course it’s another opportunity to see one of Generations’ favorite pieces- Hip-hop Company’s Beggin’ as well as Elizabeth’s solo which got her accepted to the DeSales dance program for college next year. Speaking of Generations; Congrats to everyone who helped this year’s concert raise $5,200.00 which was donated to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Breast Cancer Research Foundation. It was the most successful Generations to date!
And as the spring approaches, all the Rep Companies begin work on their final pieces for the year. Can’t wait to see Amy’s FW Junior Rep, Lindsay’s LH Junior Rep, Kelli and Lindsay’s FW Senior Reps, Kate’s Hip-hop Company piece (I hear there is a table involved), and Sarah’s LH Senior Rep piece. And of course the always AMAZING Tap Extravaganza! Here’s to spring!

P.S.  Soon to come - Official IDA Facebook Page and Twitter account

“It is not so much upon the number of exercises, as the care with which they are done, that progress and skill depend.” ~ August Bournonville

IDA Celebrates 10!

Wow.  I can’t believe that IDA is now in it’s 10th year.  And what an exciting year it is!  Shout out to the new Lafayette Hill Junior Rep Company and the revamped and renewed Hip-hop Company.  There is so much to look forward to.  Be sure to check out the Repertory Companies Saturday October 2nd 4:30pm at Upper Dublin Day.  It promises to be another entertaining outdoor performance by the Rep girls.  And the countdown to Generations is officially on!  Save the date of Sunday November 21st 4:00pm for the concert featuring IDA Rep Companies, IDA teachers, Born Into the Arts, and Project Moshen.  All the money generated from ticket sales will be donated to 2 very worthy causes; the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  So please come out, support the studio and support 2 great charities on Nov. 21st.  If you’re looking to clean out last year’s dance bag for the new year, please donate your old dance shoes and leotards to the pink collection bins at the studios.  All the items will be donated to dancers who can’t afford dance shoes and clothes.  So here’s to the 10th and greatest year yet! 

Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made.  ~Ted Shawn, Time, 25 July 1955

Check It Out: May Performances

As the weather heats up so do the blog entries. I have so much to tell all of you about! Let's start with opportunities to check out our repertory companies.

First up is Art in the Park, presented by the Whitemarsh Art Center at 100 Cedar Grove Road in Conshohocken on Saturday, May 1^st at 1:30 PM. They promise, "Fun… food, craft and flea market, and art for the entire family." Of course, one of the highlights will be performances by all of IDA's dance companies (if you are keeping track, that's Senior, Junior, and Lafayette Hill Repertory Companies plus the Hip-Hop Company).

On Sunday, May 2^nd you can find IDA's Senior and Lafayette Hill Repertory Companies as well as the Hip-Hop Company at the Chestnut Hill Home and Garden Festival. Enjoy a whole day on Germantown Avenue (from 11 AM – 5 PM) as you discover everything Chestnut Hill has to offer. Make sure to stop by the corner of Germantown Avenue and Hartwell Lane (by the Magarity Ford building) at 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM for some fantastic entertainment.

All of IDA's dance companies will also be performing on May 15^th at 2 PM at Wissahickon High School for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. We are proud to be part of such a special event for over five years now.

So, come on out, enjoy your community, and catch some great dance performances this May!

Teacher Feature: Lindsay Murray

It is time for another Teacher Feature. Read on to learn more about Lindsay Murray:
Ida: Why did you start dancing?

Lindsay: I started dance class at age 3 at Dance Works in Quakertown, PA and never stopped. I think our babysitter went to this studio and told my Mom about it. I danced at Dance Works all the way through high school graduation.

Ida: What is your greatest dance moment?

Lindsay: Hmmm...There are a few, but dancing outside under the stars on a stage in Montescudaio, Tuscany, Italy was pretty amazing and very memorable!

Ida: If you weren't dancing, what would you be doing?

Lindsay: I cannot imagine my life without dance, but I do love shopping, home decorating and working with youth. I guess I would enjoy being a personal shopper or interior decorator. I am currently in graduate school to obtain my Master's Degree in School Counseling. I hope to eventually become a school counselor at a performing arts school and continue to choreograph and teach dance.

Ida: What is your favorite indulgence?

Lindsay: Coffee, cereal, and anything chocolate!

Ida: What is your favorite thing about working at IDA?

Lindsay: I love getting to know all of the other great teachers and working with the dedicated and enthusiastic students. I think the whole spirit of the studio is inspiring! I also love the opportunity of working with the IDA Rep companies.

Ida: Where can we see you dance professionally?

Lindsay: I dance professionally with ContempraDance Theatre and VADA Dance Collective.

Ida: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Lindsay: I will be celebrating my one year wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day, 2010.

Thanks to Lindsay for doing this interview with me! Let us end with one of her favorite quotes.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams… Live the life you've imagined." -Thoreau

Congratulations!

    Bucknell University offers a limited number of Arts Merit Scholarships to students who can demonstrate both artistic and academic excellence. We are so proud to announce that four graduating members of IDA's Senior Repertory Company are finalists for the Dance Merit Scholarships! Congratulations to Lauren Cherry, Kingsley Delacato, Stephanie Miller, and Sarah Samuels!!!
      "There is nothing more notable in Socrates than that he found time, when he was an old man, to learn music and dancing, and thought it time well spent." - Michel de Montaigne

Generations is a Huge Success

    The official tally is in and Generations raised $4350 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium. The night was filled with tremendous performances from IDA staff, students, and guest companies, Born Into the Arts and TapOlé Dance Company. Thank you to everyone involved who helped to make this event a success.

"The heart of the dance is the heart of the dancer." –Ghazallah al-Badriyyah