Summer Intensive- In Review, Part 3
The third post from our Summer Intensive dancers. They discuss who their favorite teachers, the curriculum and the GKA life. Hear more from dancers in all of our 5 Summer Intensive Levels, Tchaikovsky, Minkus, Chopin, Delibes and Prokofiev named after famous Composers of Ballets. — Amanda Muntz Delibes Level – 13 years old During this … Continue reading
Summer Intensive- In Review, Part 2
The second edition of our Summer Intensive dancers discussing their teachers, seeing Giselle by the Paris Opera Ballet and some of the variations they are learning. Hear more from dancers in all of our 5 Summer Intensive Levels, Tchaikovsky, Minkus, Chopin, Delibes and Prokofiev named after famous Composers of Ballets. — Daevid Mendivil Tchaikovsky Level … Continue reading
Summer Intensive- In Review, Part 1
The students have been chatting about their favorite teachers, classes, technique and the style that makes GKA unique. Read below to find quotes about the Pre-Professional Summer Intensive straight from the dancers enjoying it! Learn a bit more from our dancers in our 5 different Summer Intensive levels (Tchaikovsky, Minkus, Chopin, Delibes and Prokofiev) and … Continue reading
Don Quixote – Repertory Workshop
Don Quixote – A History A long-enduring ballet, Don Quixote was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to the music of Ludwig Minkus and performed by the Ballet of the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow in 1869. Charles Didelot, (a French dancer and choreographer who later came to Russia), had staged a two-act version of Don Quixote … Continue reading
Sleeping Beauty – Repertory Workshop
Why Sleeping Beauty? A conversation with Gelsey Kirkland and Michael Chernov, Artistic Directors. They give their opinion on Sleeping Beauty, why it was chosen and how it represents the Gelsey Kirkland Academy. Q. Why was Sleeping Beauty chosen for the first two weeks of the Repertory Workshop? A. Sleeping Beauty is the touchstone of Classicism and Story Ballet. All Ballerinas are … Continue reading
Recovery – Nikki Faitell
Hi, my name is Nikki Faitell. I have been a student with the Gelsey Kirkland Ballet Academy for the last two years. I have had such a wonderful and non-comparable experience, yet have suffered from injuries during my training. These injuries have made me question my ability to continue such dedication to an art form … Continue reading
Recovery – Sophie Folts
As dancers are known to be very dedicated, disciplined, and focused individuals we never want to be told to slow down or to “take it easy.” We have nightmares of injuries, retirement and/or worse not becoming a dancer or dance major at all. I began dancing when I was very young and quit three … Continue reading
Summer Intensive Q & A
The Summer Intensive 2012 officially launches in 7 days. Which, has thrown GKA into full steam mode to get everything ready for our Repertory Workshop. We are getting the bags stuffed, the schedules printed, and the name tags made. As students coming from all over the United States and abroad you probably are finishing your preparations for … Continue reading
Behind the Scenes – “Elusive Dreams”
See above the images from Behind the Scenes of “Elusive Dreams” tech day, dress rehearsal and backstage during the show. In the final performance of the Year Round Training Program we brought together some of the most notable classical repertoires including; Act II from Swan Lake, La Bayadere and La Sylphide, featuring ABT Principal, Herman … Continue reading
Recovery – Eva Janiszewski
On April 20, 2012, I had FHL tendon and talus bone surgery. I was not afraid of the surgery but I was terrified of not dancing for the last month of the year at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy. At first, I was upset and cried every day because I knew I would not be able … Continue reading
Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet 