Backstage at The Nutcracker

Ballet Petite and Youth Performing Arts School's Ballet Performance Company  is performing The Nutcracker this holiday season. Our first performances received standing ovations at American University's Greenberg Theatre and our remaining shows are sold out! One of our valued instructors- Miss Emily, was able to snap a few great photos behind the scenes.

Our cast has become the best of friends!

Relaxing before their big show!

History of The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker was first performed in St. Petersburg on Sunday, 18 December 1892. The original production was not a success, but the twenty-minute suite that Tchaikovsky extracted from the ballet was better received.The first complete performance outside Russia took place in England in 1934. The ballet's first complete United States performance was on  December 24, 1944 by the San Francisco Ballet. The complete Nutcracker has enjoyed enormous popularity since the late 1960's and is now performed by countless ballet companies including Ballet Petite and Youth Performing Arts School's Ballet Performance School. We will be performing our rendition at American University's Greenberg Theatre.

 Showtimes: 

December 1-2, 2:00 & 5:00

December 15-16, 2:00 & 5:00

Click here for tickets.

Ballet Petite and Youth Performing Arts School Presents "The Nutcracker"

Our Ballet Performance Company presents "The Nutcracker" at American University's Greenberg Theatre. Brought to life through art, music and dance by our group of dedicated young dancers, this ballet is sure to thrill audiences of all ages. 

Showtimes:

December 1-2 2:00pm & 5:00pm

December 15-16 2:00pm & 5:00pm

Click here to purchase tickets.

We have sold out of tickets in previous years, so purchase your ticket today!

No Tricks, Just Treats

Our Halloween Bring A Friend Week is off to a great start. Ballet Petite staff and dancers displayed their creativity through awesome costumes. Here are some images to showcase all the fun we are having at Ballet Petite. Our Halloween Bring a Friend Week is still ongoing and ends October 31st.

Miss Martha is in the Halloween Spirit

Miss Margie and Miss Carolyn taking their students on a Halloween Parade

Our Musical Theater students show off their festive garb at our Bethesda location

Oh No, Don't Forget Your Costume!

Today kicks off our Halloween Bring A Friend Week that runs until October 31st. Stop by our Petite Boutique to shop our spooky seasonal merchandise, including costumes. Our classes will have fun Halloween themed music and activities. All students are encouraged to wear their favorite costume.What are you going to be?

Miss Margie is in the Halloween Spirit

Ballet Petite's Halloween Bring a Friend Week

October 25th-31st join us for our Halloween celebration. Wear your favorite costume and invite your friend to join in all the fun. The event is held during your regular class and your instructor will pass out invitations in your class, or pick one up from the front desk! We look forward to seeing you and your friends in the Halloween spirit.

A student models our custom costumes available at the Petite Boutique.

Children's National Medical Center's Care for Kids Card

Stop by our Bethesda, Potomac, or McLean locations to pick up your Care for Kids card. The  Program's 10-day shopping period begins today and runs through October 19th! The proceeds raised by the campaign fund grants that enhance the care of young patients at Children's. After purchasing your card you can enjoy 20% off boutique purchases at Ballet Petite. We look forward to seeing you! Join the Shopping Program with Heart. 

Is ballet considered a sport?

The one question that really irks a dancer's mind is the one looming over this paragraph. Other athletes such as football players and basketball players may claim that dance is not a sport, but we beg to differ. Many professional athletes actually take ballet because it builds the foundation for strength, balance, and endurance. It is the perfect cross-training sport such as swimming is for dancers.

After scouring the internet for many scientists' answers on the infamous question, the article below seems to describe ballet in the best possible way. Take a look and tell us what you think!
 
Classical Ballet: An Art or a Sport? | Breaking Muscle

Musical Theatre Performance Company Annie Auditions!

The Musical Theatre Performance Company is holding their annual auditions for the 2012-2013 year production of Annie. Here are some quick tips you will need to know for the big day!

Audition Dates and Times:

McLean:           Monday, August 27^th

                        Sign-in at 5:15 PM

                        Auditions 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Potomac:          Tuesday, August 28^th

                        Sign-in at 4:15 PM

                        Auditions 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Bethesda: 

                        Friday, September 7^th

                       

                        Ages 5 and 6

                        Sign-in at 3:45 PM

                        Auditions 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

                        Ages 7 and 8

                        Sign-in at 4:45 PM

                        Auditions 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

                        Ages 9+

                        Sign-in at 5:45 PM

                        Auditions 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

FAQs:

What can my child expect at the auditions?

Auditions will start with a physical warm-up followed by the instruction of choreography. Students will learn the combination together and then be broken down into smaller groups to show in front of our teachers. The acting portion of the audition includes a warm-up, acting games, and a possible read from the script.  Lastly, the audition will finish with the vocal section. They will learn a piece of music from the show and perform in smaller groups for the teachers. 

I'm auditioning and I am really nervous...help!

Relax! Get a good night's sleep and eat a good meal the day of. Don't worry about how the other auditioners look or do in class just focus on your performance. If it helps, get yourself in the 'Annie' mindset by watching the movie or listening to the music prior to the audition. This will help familiarize yourself with the story, characters, and music. 

When are the rehearsals?

           

The Bethesda Company rehearses on Friday afternoons.

                       

Showtime: 4 PM – 5 PM

                        Encores/Headliners:  5 PM – 7 PM

            The Potomac Company rehearses on Tuesday afternoons:

                        Showtime only:  5 PM – 6 PM

            The McLean Company rehearses on Monday afternoons:

                        Showtime only:  6 PM – 7 PM

*All other information about the production will be discussed at the audition during your sign-in process and/or during parent meetings for selected students on September 14th.

 

When are the performances?

           

            February 8-10, 2013!!

When/how will we be notified of casting?

 Regardless of when they tried out, students will be notified of their rank in the company by email by September 12^th . Specific casting will not be discussed until Friday, September 14^th.

How old do you have to be to audition?

All students need to be 5 years old by September 1st, 201...NO exceptions!

Who do I talk to for more information or questions? Who is the director and how can I get in touch with her?

You can call Ballet Petite at 301-229-6882 to find out any information. Also, you are welcome to e-mail the director at sallyk@balletpetite.com. Do keep in mind that you may not get an immediate response by e-mail, but they will be answered in a timely fashion. 

GOOD LUCK!!!

Camp may be ending soon, but Fall Classes are here!

Whose ready for another year of exciting and magical times at Ballet Petite and Youth Performing Arts? Fall classes start August 25th and there are a ton to choose from. From ballet to broadway to hip hop, there is a genre for every child.

Are you itching to dance sooner? It is not too late to register for one of our camps. The camp themes range from Tappin' Toes to American Girls. Visit our website for details or call us at 301-229-6882 for more details.

...And in honor of the camps sessions we have had so far, we wanted to include the some memorable quotes from some of our campers. This is just a little insight into a child's hardships during the Ballet Petite and YPA Camps:

"I just don't like this tutu. I need something fluffier."

"I have glitter in my belly button"

"Why is my mom staring at me in the window with a big smile on her face?"

"Can't we just stay in dance class all day and night? We do not ever have to go home!"

What has your tiny dancer said about Ballet Petite? We want to hear it! Post it on our blog!

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Julie Zetlin

 The 2012 Olympics boasts many athletes, but we have a special attendee from close to home - Julie Zetlin from Bethesda, Maryland! She is the only Rhythmic Gymnast the US sent to London and will be competing for Team USA against some powerful performers from Russia and Eastern Europe. If you've never heard of rhythmic gymnastics before, you're not alone - the sport has a very short history in the US and no one from Team USA has ever medaled at the Olympics. The sport is built around four apparatuses: ball, ribbon, clubs, and hoop. Flexibility, balance, complicated turns, and ballerina-like feet are crucial to a gold-worthy performance. Each routine is performed to music - ranging from the classical to the contemporary. Zetlin, in an interview with DC 101, said she came to the 2012 Olympics to encourage other rhythmic gymnasts to keep working hard, especially in the US. As opposed to artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnasts reach their peak in their 20s, a much older standard. Julie will be competing August 9th and 10th, so be sure to watch for her on TV and cheer her on!

Daily Camps fit your schedule with ease.

We are offering daily camps at our Gaithersburg, McLean, and Cabin John locations. The camps have a wide range of exciting themes that are  sure to engage your dancer.Our daily camps run Monday through Friday at two times, 9:00-12:00 and 12:00-3:00. Please call for vacancies 301-229-6882.

At our Cabin John location last week we hosted a Fancy Nancy themed camp that was enthralling for or 3-7 year old campers.

Other themes have included:

The Little Mermaid-McLean Studio

Rapunzel- McLean Studio

Snow White-Cabin John Studio

Ballet Performance Company Auditions!

In case you haven't already seen it, every year our Ballet Performance Company presents The Nutcracker at American University's Greenberg Theatre in early December. The shows always bring out an audience and participation in the Company gives aspiring professional dancers experience in rehearsal, backstage preparation, and performance! In addition to weekly rehearsals, Company members are required to take a certain number of classes depending on the role they have been cast in. This ensures that our dancers are well prepared to rehearse choreography during their BPC time, as they have been already been learning the fundamentals needed during class. Our second set of auditions will be the first week in August. Please email balletperformanceco@balletpetite.com if you will not be able to attend BEFORE the audition has passed! Miss Melissa will not be scheduling make-up auditions after August 1st.

Ballet Performance Company

Nutcracker Auditions

Wednesday, August 1st

Sign in @ 5:00 pm

Audition @ 5:30 pm

All Ages*

Bethesda Studio

4701 Sangamore Road

Bethesda MD 20816

*all dancers must be 5 years of age by August 27th, 2012.

American Girl Camps at Ballet Petite

This summer we are excited to bring American Girl Camps to you and your family. This week launched our first session of camps, and the girls are having a blast ! Many of the campers have brought their American Girl dolls, but all cuddly friends are welcome.

You haven't missed your opportunity to sign up for our American Girl Camps, there are still openings:

Bethesda

Week of July 30th

Week of August 20th

McLean

Week of July 30th

Potomac 

Week of July 23rd

Happy campers take a break from dancing to pose with their dolls

History of Ballet!

This weekend, I got to see the Paris Opera Ballet perform “Giselle” at the Kennedy Center! (Check out a clip here!)  The Paris Opera Ballet was the first professional ballet company, which started over 300 years ago! King Louis XIV of France was very interested in the Italian Court Dances from the 1400s, so he began to take dance lessons. When he was only 14 years old, he danced in a ballet that lasted for 12 hours! King Louis XIV started his own ballet company, the Paris Opera Ballet, which began with only male dancers! The first female dancer joined in 1681.

Since the first ballet company began in France, most of the ballet terminology we use today is in French! For example, Plié means bending, and Sauté means jumping! Do you recognize those ballet steps?

There's fun to be had at Ballet Petite this Summer !

At our McLean location, we have some very happy campers who are creating beautiful crafts and mementos of their exhilarating camps. At our McLean location we offer daily, and weekly camps until August 24th.
Call: 301-229-6882 or visit us online at www.balletpetite.com.

Campers decorating beautiful wands

Focused on coloring

 

Dance Around The World: Big Dance at 2012 Olympic Games in London

Big Dance 2012 will celebrate the diversity of dance styles across the country by expanding beyond London to a nationwide network of leading dance organizations.Taking place from 7-15 July 2012, the program will feature an array of events including the creation of a new piece for 2,000 dancers in Trafalgar Square.More than two million people have taken part in the project, since it began in 2006.

Big Dance 2012 is for all ages

Potomac and McLean locations are up and running with electricity, but our Bethesda location is closed. Call 703-652-7775 with any questions!

Beat the Heat with Ballet Petite

The DC Metro area is experiencing an extreme heat wave, and Ballet Petite has cool camps that your children are sure to enjoy ! We are offering camps at our Bethesda, McLean, and Potomac locations, with options that are sure to fit your schedule. Here are a few shots from our Bethesda location's Petite Princess Camps:

Miss Meghan captures the attention of our young campers

Miss Mallory and her attentive students

Goodbye Baby Bee

Miss Natasha has been a dedicated employee at Ballet Petite, and we are very sad to see her leave. She has accomplished many feats during her time at Ballet Petite and brought the magic and grace of dance to our students. Miss Natasha’s last name means “baby bee” in Russian, and we are very sad to see our baby bee leave. We wish Miss Natasha all be the best, and thank her for all that she has done. We’ll miss you!

"Every class needs a Prince"-Miss Natasha

        

Pretty in Pink: Miss Natasha with her students

    

Hip Hop Class in Tutus!

If any of you have seen the Ellen show recently then you know Sophia Grace and Rosie - two precocious girls from England who love tutus, dancing, and generally saying whatever comes to mind! Ellen recently sent them to take a hip hop class with her friend tWitch, and here is the result! Enjoy!

Tap isn't dead and Anything Goes

After reading an interesting article highlighting famed tapper Brenda Bufalino, the idea of tap being dead was discussed. Bufalin explains, "First of all, the venues dried up. (Circa late 1950s-1960's with the advent of rock and roll) The music halls and other concert venues started to close so the places where tap dancers worked were limited. Broadway changed its style to modern and movie musicals ..."

Times have changed and tap dancing is more alive than ever!  Ballet Petite's very own Youth Performing Arts School Musical Theater Performance Company are in the birthplace of Tap -- New York City, seeing a wide array of Broadway Musicals including the classic Anything Goes. This wonderful musical showcases the grace and upbeat nature of tap and is sure to excite our young performers. If your child is interested in learning Tap, Ballet Petite is offering a variety of Tap classes and camps this Summer and Fall. Registration is now open, click here.

Fun with Floor Tape!

It's the last week of our spring session - and we are getting very silly in anticipation of summer camp! Check out these beautiful pictures of Miss Natasha's floor! She used floor tape to create a rainbow, a bright sun and a field of flowers for her students to dance in! 

Big Dance and the 2012 Olympics

Young dancers from around the world are going for a record breaking performance before this year's Summer Olympics. Big Dance, an organization that celebrates dance in the UK annually, plans on having 680,000 children worldwide performing the same routine! The website states: "Everyone is invited to join in and make dance a part of their lives in 2012 and beyond." How will you make dance a part of your life this summer?

Recital 2012

Congratulations to all of our Youth Performing Arts School dancers for 6 wonderful shows this weekend! We saw sparkly costumes, creative choreography, and terrific technique! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy! 

RECITAL UPDATE

RECITAL UPDATE: Due to construction on the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, the dress rehearsal drop off area has been changed to the LEFT side of the building. Please follow the new signs accordingly. Dress rehearsal times have not changed.

Also, please remember to purchase all tickets over the phone and pick them up BEFORE recital! They may be picked up at dress rehearsal, but we will NOT be selling tickets in the lobby or have a will call.

Break a leg, everyone!

Story Corner: Thumbelina

Next weekend, the Youth Performing Arts School will present their end of the year recitals! It's one of my favorite times of year, as each class gets to perform part of a wonderful story and show their family and friends what they have been working on all year!

Our Primary Ballet II classes present Thumbelina, the story of a girl no larger than your thumb. One night, she is taken away from her family by an evil toad who wants Thumbelina to marry his son. With the help of a friendly fish and butterfly, she escapes the toad and drifts on a lily pad until she is found by a stag-beetle. However, his friends don't approve of Thumbelina, so she is again left alone against the cold winter. She finds shelter with an old field-mouse, with whom she helps clean house. The mouse suggests that Thumbelina should marry her neighbor, the mole, but Thumbelina would rather not. She slips away from the field-mouse with the help of a swallow who she nursed back to health. She and the swallow find comfort in a sunny field of flowers, where Thumbelina meets the flower prince - who is just her size! The story ends with Thumbelina marrying the prince and traveling with him from flower to flower.
Thumbelina was originially a fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson. However, it was also made into a movie! But I prefer watching our girls dance the story on stage. Come see them Saturday, June 9th, at 11:30 am and at 4:00 pm at the Parilla Performing Arts Center in Rockville!

Memorial Day Weekend - we will be CLOSED!

Just a reminder that Ballet Petite will be CLOSED for Memorial Day Weekend - Saturday, May 26th through Monday, May 28th! Have a wonderful holiday!

First Position

Have you seen the new docu-drama highlighting the young dancers who compete at the Youth America Grand Prix? Hopefully, we will be seeing it soon, but I've heard some great things about it already! It's playing at the Bethesda Row Cinema. And check out some more articles here and here.

Ballet Bloopers

Hello Dancers! I know sometimes we get caught up in being absolutely perfect on stage - ballet is a dance of precision and perfection that we can get too critical of ourselves. Its ok to make a mistake, we are only human after all! Here is a video of some ballet bloopers that happened on stage - watch as the performers keep on going even when they trip up!

May Madness!

Hello Dancers!

We have so much coming up this month and in June that I decided a special post about all our events would be best. Here are the exciting activities coming up at Ballet Petite:

May 12th: Ballet Performance Company Charity Performance will be held at Glen Echo Park. Showtime is 10:30 am and all proceeds benefit the National Children's Medical Center.

May 12th - 18th is Spring Observation Week! Parents and grandparents are invited into class so bring your cameras!

May 19th: Come visit Ballet Petite at McLean Day! We will have giveaways and a special visitor! http://mcleancenter.org/special-events/mcleanday.asp

May 19th & 20th: our Musical Theatre Performance Company will be presenting Aladdin Kids and Into the Woods Jr at the JCC in Rockville! Call 301-229-6882 for tickets.

May 26th - 28th all Ballet Petite offices will be CLOSED and there will be no class for Memorial Day!

June 7th - 10th our Youth Performing Arts classes will be presenting their spring recitals! Check your tickets for the exact day/time of your recital.

June 25th: Summer Camps Begin!

Whew! There is a lot but we are excited about it! Also - don't forget that the Fall 2012 schedule is online and ready for registration! Sign up as a VIP for the full year and receive a 10% discount plus discounts in the boutique, Petite Parties, and a secure spot in your class for the year with unlimited class changes!

Happy Dancing!

Meet Miss Mallory!

Miss Mallory recently joined Ballet Petite. She hails from Sweet Briar College and has been dancing for many many years! I wanted to get to know her a little better, as she will be teaching Saturday classes in Bethesda this Spring and camps this summer!

When did you start dancing? And when did you know that you wanted to dance for the rest of your life?
I started dancing when I was 7 years old.  There were only two dance studios in the area of my small town and they offered pretty basic classes and so tap and jazz were my first dance classes.  [Not sure why I did not choose to take ballet first, but I think at that age I just liked the look of the dance styles that appeared to be upbeat and "sassy"]   And to answer the second part...I guess I figured out that I wanted to dance forever after I kept trying all kinds of new things.  I was the kid that always had to be doing something different.  I tried gymnastics, horseback riding, karate, softball, and of course dancing.  Dance is what I always came back to, and was always something fun and natural to me.

What is your favorite genre of dance?
Favorite genre..That's tough.. They each have their own beautiful qualities.. probably Jazz and Modern..but I love Ballet too.. :)  

What was your favorite role and/or piece that you danced in? 
Most of the roles that I have danced in were student works and choreography, so nothing like the Nutcracker or Swan Lake... So I might have to get back to you on this one......


What is your favorite thing to do when you're not dancing? 
I love sweets and so I love to bake.... I also like to discover new places and travel. 

And of course, a question we ask all Ballet Petite teachers, what is your favorite color and your favorite candy?
Favorite colors: Coral and Turquoise. Candy- M&Ms or chocolate truffles!! 

Pointe Shoe Documentary

Hello Dancers! Ever wonder how your magnificent pointe shoes are made? The process is actually quite fascinating - the shoes are a work of art themselves! You can read the article here: link. And watch the video below!

The Youth Performing Arts School's

Musical Theater Performance Company

presents

Aladdin Kids

Saturday, May 19th @ 2:30 pm

Sunday, May 20th @ 12:30 pm

&

Into the Woods Jr

Saturday, May 19th @ 5:00 pm

Sunday, May 20th @ 3:00 pm

All tickets $10

Call 301-229-6882

Or stop by the front desk in Bethesda or McLean

All Performances at the JCC of Greater Washington

6125 Montrose Road, Rockville MD, 20852

Ballet Around the World: Cambodia

I found some exciting news as I was searching for dance articles today! The country of Cambodia, located on the southern portion of the Indochina peninsula, will be opening a ballet school and two private arts schools - the first of their kind!
British dancer Stephen Bimson, who first came to Cambodia as a dance volunteer with Outreach International, will be opening a school in the city's capital, Phnom Penh, with Devi Vahnon, a granddaughter of a Cambodian princess. In addition to the school, Bimson would like to set up an outreach program that will bring ballet to those children who normally would not be exposed to it.
Lee Chan-Hae, a former professor at Yonsei University’s College of Music, is the main man behind the Phnom Penh Institute of Art and the El Dreams Art School. Classes in fine art, music, and ballet will be offered to ages as young as 3 years old.
These two people dared to dream big to bring art to everyone! Do you have a dance dream?

Congratulations, Ballerinas!

Congratulations to our Ballet Performance Company for a wonderful presentation of Coppelia at the Cherry Blossom Festival! Check out more pictures of our lovely dancers here: http://www.festivaldc.com/blog/2012/04/01/performances-delight-many-at-cherry-blossom-fests-sylvan-theater/

Video Time!

These soccer (or should I say futbol?) players aren't the greatest at barre work, but its great to see them trying out ballet as exercise!

Point & Flex!

There are some simple ballet exercises that you can practice every day, whether your 3 or 30! Stretching our legs all the way down to our toes can be accomplished by a simple point & flex stretch! Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out, your back straight, and your arms relaxed. Point your toes as far as you can and stretch your arms down to reach them, then flex your toes back towards your chest and slowly sit back up! Miss Margie has a wonderful song that we sing to help remember this exercise:

Point & Flex them <--- at this part, just point and flex your toes, no arms!
Point & Flem them
Point those pretty feet, feet, feet! <-- point and flex your toes opposingly!
Point & Flex them
Point & Flex them
Do not cross the street, street, street!
Creep them, Creep them <--- start to "creep" your arms down your legs to your flexed toes!
Creep them, Creep them
Right down to your toes, toes, toes!
Creep them, Creep them
Creep them, Creep them
Do not touch your nose, nose, nose!

Celebrate National Dance Week!

It's the first week of spring session but we are looking forward to National Dance Week! Celebrate with us by bringing ONE friend to class the week of April 23rd - 29th for a special Angelina Ballerina lesson plan and class kickline! Let's share the love of dance with everyone we meet! Check out more at www.nationaldanceweek.org!

BPC at the Cherry Blossom Festival

The Youth Performing Art's School's

Ballet Performance Company

presents

Coppelia


Sunday, April 1st
Sylvan Theatre at 1:45 pm

Come support our dancers and the National Cherry Blossom Festival!

Join us for Spring!

Ballet Petite's

Spring Session

starts April 2nd!

Register Online Today!

Petite Partner: Activity Rocket!

We like to stay connected with friends and other family-oriented organizations in our area, and now that Ballet Petite is exploring more online territory, we've discovered how amazing activity sites are! Activity Rocket is by moms, for moms and dads looking for an easy way to find activites for their children! They list everything you can think of, and even have a tool to create your own calendar so you can schedule it all accordingly! Check us out on their site, and see what else you might find!

Observation Week!

We love getting feedback and pictures from our parents about Observation Week! It is an event we hold each session when we allow parents, grandparents, and friends into the studio to observe a class and see what our dancers have been working on! I have some wonderful pictures to share, courtesy of Francesca's mom, Tess! She takes Magical Morning with Miss Kristi at our Bethesda studio. Enjoy!

New Potomac Studio!

Ballet Petite is proud to announce our new studio in Potomac! It boasts a boutique, a beautiful lobby, and two brand new dance studios! It is still located within the Cabin John Mall, accessible from Bethesda, Potomac, and North Potomac areas. Here are some pictures of our brand new space!