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Monday, September 3, 2007

Test

The stuff that I put lines through I've already put on the website

It won't let me un-strike Amanda's bio, but I made a few changes because a word or two was missing, so when you get the chance if you could just update hers that would be great.

Homepage


Thank you for your interest in The Next Step Dance Academy. I am so excited to be starting this new adventure, and so glad that you have found the studio!
The Next Step Dance Academy is not your average dance studio. We strive to meet the individual needs of each student, and help them to achieve their personal best. We strongly discourage in– house competition, because we understand that every child progresses at their own rate and should not be compared to any other student. With the combination of a positive, energetic staff and a commitment to your child’s excellence, we will help your child realize their next step and flourish into a graceful, confident young person, both inside and outside of the world of dance.
It is my personal mission to create an environment where children continue to learn and grow year after year. As a student progresses, an understanding of the history of the arts should complement their technical training. It is my firm belief that each student knows and understands the ‘why’ of their movement and develops into a well-rounded dancer, no matter what career path they choose in life.
I welcome you to The Next Step Dance Academy. I hope that, after browsing our website, you find that we are the right studio for you and your child. I look forward to hearing from you!


Staff

About The Director:
Julie Noonan
Julie's training began at the age of 2-1/2, where she studied tap at Miss Margaret's School of Dance in Brooklyn, New York. At age six, she was considered for a more formal education with a prima ballerina in New York City. She relocated to New Jersey, and by the age of 12 her focus turned to teaching, and she began student instructing under the guidance of Kelly Legge, director of the largely successful Tip Tap Toe Dance Studio.
After high school, Julie was accepted to Marymount Manhattan College's dance program, where she received both dance and academic scholarships. During her time at MMC, Julie trained extensively in the Vaganova and Checcetti methods of ballet, O'Donnell, Murray/Louis and Nikolais modern techniques, Classical, Contemporary and Broadway jazz styles, and several styles of tap, including Rhythm, Buck-and-Wing, and "Hoofing".
Julie's dance background includes training with several world-renowned instructors, choreographers and performers, including Cassandra Phifer of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Nancy Lushington of the May O'Donnell Company, Anthony Ferro and Katie Langan of Twyla Tharp, Ed Kresley (West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie), Sheila Barker, Jeff Amsden, Jason Samuels-Smith, and Peggy Spina, protégé of tap greats "Baby" Lawrence, "Cookie" Cook and "Honi" Coles, to name a few. Her academic instruction at Marymount includes an extensive background in education, psychology, and anatomy. She graduated from Marymount with a B.A. in Dance Education in 2004.
While in college, Julie also had the opportunity to train at Broadway Dance Center, taking classes in all disciplines with several of today’s most popular instructors and choreographers, including Rhapsody, Mike Minery, Bev Brown, Gil Stroming, Germaine Salsberg, and Joey Dowling. She continues to attend conventions to keep current on dance trends, and most recently attended JUMP and Broadway Dance Center’s Pulse conventions.
Julie began teaching in her senior year of high school, continuing to do so throughout her college years, commuting between NYC and Jackson on weekends. She became a full-time teacher at Tip Tap Toe Dance Studio in 2003. Over the last four years she has received countless awards and top scores for her choreography, as well as numerous acknowledgements for both her choreography and her creativity.
It was in 2007 that Julie felt that she was in the prime of her career as a dance educator, and decided to fulfill her life-long dream of opening a studio where students constantly reinvent themselves as performing artists, are challenged each time they walk through the door, and most importantly, look forward to coming to dance every day. The Next Step Dance Academy is that dream, and she could not be more excited about this opportunity!

About Our Staff

Our staff recognizes that dance is a living, breathing art. Each discipline constantly improves upon and reinvents itself. We feel that, though we are dance educators, we are life-long students as well. All instructors continue to train professionally to keep current with the ever-evolving world of dance.

Tara Kormondy
Tara brings to The Next Step Dance Academy a wealth of knowledge in several areas of the arts, including ballet, pointe, modern, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tumbling, voice and acting. In addition, she has extensive knowledge in anatomy and massage therapy. She has trained at many renowned facilities, including the Princeton Ballet School and Repertory Ballet, Broadway Dance Center, The Dance Space, Ballet Academy East and Marymount Manhattan College. In addition, she has been a featured dancer with the TapOlé dance company, the NJ Nets Dance Team, Big Red Boat cruise lines, and the Mainstreet Theatre Company, to name a few. She has also been featured in industrials for Suave hair products and the American Idol Tour.
In addition to her professional career, Tara also has several years of teaching experience in all areas of dance. Her choreography can be seen in several studios throughout the NY and NJ area. She brings high energy and a contagious smile to all of her classes. We are thrilled to have her as a part of our staff!
Danya Iannarone KellyDanya began dancing locally at the age of three. She is a graduate of Montclair State University, where she earned a B.F.A. in Dance in 2001. Although she has had several years of performing experience in various outlets including the Dance Space and for Nextel and Motorola, her respect and admiration for her own teacher has always led her back to her first love of teaching.
Proficient in ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap and modern, Danya has taught many children throughout the country. Her students have been awarded many top honors at both Regional and National levels of competition, and have been the recipients of many Choreography, Entertainment and Technical Execution awards. In addition, Danya has shared her love of teaching with many students in the public school system in her area. Currently Danya teaches at several studios in New Jersey, and is a director and choreographer for a competition team in Northern New Jersey. She continues to train and study with Master Teachers and Choreographers, keeping her fresh and contemporary in every style of dance. Her passion for the art of dance makes her a welcome addition to The Next Step Dance Academy.
Amanda Hunkele
Amanda brings a strong, diverse dance background to The Next Step Dance Academy. Amanda began dancing at the age of three and has studied ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, tap and hip hop; most recently at Tip Tap Toe Dance Studio in Jackson, NJ. There, she was a student teacher for several levels of ballet classes, and was a substitute teacher from 2005-2007. Over her years as a competitive dancer, she has been recognized for her artistry, grace, and technical excellence at both the Regional and National level. She has been awarded many top honors, special awards and scholarships as a soloist, as well as a duet, trio and group performer. She has attended summer programs at the prestigious Kirov Academy of Ballet and the American Academy of Ballet, and has performed various roles in The Nutcracker with The Moscow Ballet in Atlantic City.
Amanda was a 2007 graduate of Colts Neck High School, where she served as Captain and Choreographer for the CNHS Dance Team. Currently she is studying Education and Dance at Georgian Court University, where her academic and artistic excellence has earned her a highly competitive scholarship. Her incredible technique and stage presence, professional training and love of children make her a highly sought-after instructor, and we are very fortunate to have her share her talents with us.

FAQ


Why should my child choose dance over another activity?
Children should be exposed to physical activity and exercise at an early age. Studies have shown that young children learn more effectively through repetition; a tool implemented in programs specially designed for the youngest dancers. As children age and their muscles develop, engaging in athletic activities will help maintain strong, healthy bodies. Dancing promotes coordination, flexibility, strength, and stamina while improving memory and teaching grace, self-discipline, confidence and poise.
Pre-adolescence and adolescence can prove to be quite a challenging time in a young person’s life. In being surrounded by positive role models other than their parents, children have another respected adult in their life to address concerns and challenges with. Dance educators often spend several hours a day, several days a week with teens, making them instrumental in shaping a young adult’s identity. Several performance opportunities throughout a dancer’s training contribute to the development of positive self esteem and confidence.
Through dance, children learn to accept constructive criticism from their instructors, fellow dancers and industry professionals, to work cooperatively with peers of all ages, and to build solid relationships with classmates and other members of their dance community on a regular basis. Often students work cooperatively in groups, whether rehearsing choreography, helping to demonstrate or assist in class, or while participating in group dances, such as duets, trios and quartets, as well as small and large group productions. In the world of competitive dancing, groups of students on competition and performance teams may travel out of town or state for competitions and conventions. Dancers can spend several weeks away from home with one another, which creates more of a family atmosphere between the students. Tight-knit communities are formed within a dance studio, and often times, you will find that children become closer with their ‘dance friends’ than their ‘school friends’.
While most children learn a foreign language when they begin formal education, dancers as young as two years of age begin to learn classical ballet terminology, which stems from the French language. In addition, children who study dance will develop a strong sense of musicality and rhythmic training by learning to count the meter and measures of classical and contemporary music alike. Dancers who train at more well-rounded facilities should also have knowledge of the history of dance and key choreographers, companies and performances that have shaped the world of dance.
Why should I choose The Next Step Dance Academy?
Training at The Next Step Dance Academy will contribute significantly to the development of the whole child in a healthy, positive learning environment. Our instructors have a combined total of nearly 30 years of experience as dance educators- something they take pride in at their young age. All instructors have had a college education, providing them with a more broad knowledge of dance history, anatomy, music theory, and a wealth of knowledge in other subjects in addition to their technical dance training. As well, they have insight to the college application and audition process, which enables them to better guide their students toward choosing the right path for their college education. In fact, Julie is only one of two dance studio directors in the area with a college degree in dance!
How are children placed in classes?
Initially, children are grouped together based on their age range. However, students who have more or less training will be placed in a level that corresponds to their ability level. Because there is no set curriculum for dance education, not all students learn the same material in their places of study. Students who join The Next Step Dance Academy coming from another studio will be placed in trial classes in each discipline. Most times they are placed correctly; however it is important to remember that students sometimes take several weeks in a new environment to flourish. We ask for a maximum of one month to properly place your child in a level best suited for them. Because each teacher’s style varies, the number of years a dancer has trained are considered, but they are not the deciding factor when placing your child in their appropriate level. Adding Technique Classes to your schedule may help your child improve in their level, as repetition is a wonderful learning tool.
Do you have a competition team?
At The Next Step Dance Academy, we feel that every child should be given the same opportunities at all times. To that effect, we do not have a formal competition team. As long as the student is enrolled in a ballet class, they are eligible to compete. Parents will be notified in writing as to which classes have been selected to attend competitions for the year. Classes that compete one year may not necessarily be chosen to compete the next. Each year classes will be re-evaluated and a decision will be made by the instructor based on the progress the class has made that particular year.
Solos, Duets, Trios, and Extra Group dances are given by invitation only. We feel that every child should be selected based on their own merit. No extra dances can simply be bought; they must be earned. Separate choreography and competition fees apply to all invitational dances. Please understand that several factors contribute to the selection of an invitational dance. Though some children excel in their core class levels, they are not always emotionally ready for the commitment of several hours of long extra rehearsals and more intimate performance opportunities. Students will be selected annually based on their work in core classes throughout the previous year and the beginning of the current year. Students are not guaranteed an invite to participate in extra dances year after year, however, performance or results at previous competitions will not factor into this decision. We do not offer these dances for students to merely dance for the sake of competing; rather they are offered to challenge each child to live up to their personal best. We attend competitions for students to receive feedback from other dance professionals on how to better improve their dance training.
Do you fundraise?
We will be starting a Fundraising Committee in the fall. This committee will help plan various events and activities to help offset the cost of competition and convention fees for all students invited to participate. Even if you are not selected to compete this year, you are encouraged to participate. Studio support is strongly encouraged.
Will you have any guest teachers?
We feel that exposure to various teachers, styles and techniques will only enhance the dance education your child receives at The Next Step Dance Academy. Our Master Class Series brings talent from all areas of the dance world right to the studio. A Master Class will be held every other month on a Saturday afternoon, for an additional fee. Restrictions may apply based on age and level, however the majority of classes will be open to all students above the age of eight. Information on the Master Class Series will be available in the Special Events section of our website, as well as in our newsletters and throughout the studio.

The combined years of teaching experience should now be "nearly 30 years" with the other instructors instead of over "16 years"

Newsletter

Competitions

Recital

Calendar

Classes



Introduction to Dance: This program, specifically designed for 3 and 4 year olds, meets once a week for 45 minutes. The class is broken down into 15 minute increments of the three main disciplines of dance: ballet, jazz and tap. Emphasis is placed on proper placement and comprehension of basic ballet, jazz and tap steps. Repetition is used each week for maximum retention of all material, and creative movement exercises are brought into class to nurture artistic development at this early age. Students will perform one dance in the discipline of the instructor’s choice, and are required to purchase one costume for this class.
Tap/Jazz Combo: Developed for 5 and 6 year olds, this one hour class teaches basic fundamentals of tap and jazz dancing. In jazz, students begin stretching and learning basic jumps and turns. In tap, rhythmic exercises strengthen musicality and students will learn standard tap progressions. Students will perform one dance in the discipline of the instructor’s choice, and are required to purchase one costume for this class.
Technique Classes: Ballet and Jazz Technique classes are offered as supplemental training for more focused students. Any student over the age of 11, as well as those who receive solos, duets or trios are strongly encouraged to add Technique classes to their program. Technique classes do not perform recital dances and focus more intensively on proper execution of steps, progressions and combinations while developing the student’s personal artistic style.
Core classes are available in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical and Hip Hop. Pointe classes are also available by teacher recommendation only.


While technique classes complement core ballet and jazz classes, they can also be taken as a substitution, should a recital dance not be desired in one or both of these disciplines.


Tara Kormondy:
And me:
You might have to crop mine- my scanner is still packed and i'm using my mom's and I can't find a program to fix them at all. If they look too grainy let me know and I'll try to send again. I'll get Danya and Amanda's pictures soon too.
Some pictures of a few kids:
(I don't know if this smaller size is good or if you want to just resize the big one to a different size.)
I'll send more later. Thank you!



Tuesday, January 9, 2007

test

This is my frist post!