NADT Company Welcome Event

North Atlanta Dance Theatre recently held its annual welcome back party for new and returning company members. The company is comprised of our most promising and dedicated dancers. Dancers must be twelve years old with a minimum of one year on pointe to audition for company. 

The event was presented by Director, Michael Garrison alongside his wife and co-founder, Kitty Garrison.  Our NADT families were treated to a potluck dinner and all new company members received their jackets. Grande and Demi pairings were announced; a mentoring program between seasoned and new company members. And new head shots were up for display on the company wall. Exciting upcoming events and performances were discussed as well. 

The welcome event is an important one…setting us off on the right footing for a successful company year. It is a social gathering where families can mingle and get to know one another outside of the hustle and bustle of getting students to and from the studio and theater for classes, rehearsals and performances. Nearly ninety attended the festive affair held at the North Atlanta Dance Academy studios. We are proud to have 31 members of the 2019-2020 North Atlanta Dance Theatre Company Season! Good luck dancers!

Please enjoy a slide show of photos from the event.

This Summer...We Danced!

Sure it's still hot outside, but the final curtain has closed on summer by most accounts as the lazy days come to a close with students heading back to the books. But we are looking back on memories of summer with a song in our heart and rhythm in our soul...because we danced! 

“One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.” 

― Henry David Thoreau

North Atlanta dance offered open summer camps for young and beginner dancers as well as summer intensives for those students wanting to sharpen their skills and take their passion to the next level. Director, Michael Garrison says summer months provide a great opportunity for dancers to make important strides forward. "When there is no school schedule to distract or take up time, the dancers can really improve their technique as well as explore other styles. Some students actually come in as beginners and are well on their way when we begin the (dance) school year in August."

More than three hundred students took advantage of as many as six weeks of camps this summer. The young and beginner classes encouraged students to learn and practice class structure, basic ballet, have fun and make new friends! Performances were held each Friday for friends and family to celebrate all the wonderful skills they obtained.

Our tiny dancers learn basic ballet and classroom skills

More advanced dancers focused on the summer intensive sessions held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. At the culmination of each three week period dancers participated in a fully choreographed, costumed performance combining contemporary and classical ballet. They performed these productions before more than eighty friends and family and were treated to a pot luck dinner afterwards. 

Summer camps at NADA not only keep our dancers in tip-top shape and help them advance technically, they also provide employment for our valued instructors in what is typically as slow time for them. Fifteen teachers participated in the 2019 summer camp season. Thank you! 

Portions of Sleeping Beauty presented by Students of the Summer Intensives Program

And the fun is far from over! Nutcracker Auditions will take place Sunday August 25th for students ages eight to twelve. More details will be available at the studio.

The new season begins Monday August 19th for our dancers. We are looking forward to another  wonderful season of Passion in Motion! 

The Making of Vivaldi in the Park

Vivaldi in the Park, a premier collaboration between North Atlanta Dance Theatre and the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra is set to take to the stage Saturday May 4th at 7 p.m. the Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater at Newtown Park in Johns Creek.

The idea was the brainchild of Stephanie Magaldi, Development Director for NADT. Stephanie is the daughter of NADT's Artistic Director, Michael Garrison NADT Co-Founder, Kitty Garrison. Stephanie had the idea many months ago and approached Garrison. Spring is an extremely busy time for the dance theatre but once Garrison sat down with Wayne Baughman, Maestro for Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, the creative wheels began to turn and a beautiful performance began to take shape.

We sat down with Michael and Wayne for a conversation about how this production came to be, what the audience can expect to see and why this type of collaboration is imperative to bringing the arts to center stage in John Creek and its surrounding communities.

A Chat with the Director and the Maestro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmCckzHP0QU

Purchase your tickets today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vivaldi-in-the-park-tickets-59251017388





This production made possible in part by a grant awarded by Fulton County Arts and Culture.

Olivia McBain to Compete in Youth America Grand Prix in New York

 

Olivia McBain Complilation YAGP 2019

 

 Olivia McBain in her own words

We are so delighted to share with you some really exciting news about one of our amazing young dancers! Eighth grade student, Olivia McBain will be competing in Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York in April. Olivia competed at the local level placing second in her classical variation, Odalisque from Le Corsiare and she landed in the top twelve for her contemporary variation, Orchid by NADA instructor, Christina Simkovich. As a result of her tremendous work she will bring both solos to the stage in New York!

Olivia will be in New York for two weeks as part of a once in a lifetime, jam packed opportunity! She will be part of the Gala production at the Lincoln Center. After she competes with both solos,  she will attend master classes for an opportunity to earn scholarships to train with some of the biggest ballet companies in the U.S.   

Olivia is an eighth grade student at South Forsyth Middle School. She has been since dancing since the age of five, attending NADA's Pre-Professional Summer Intensive Program for the past two years, performing in three summer productions; Sleeping Beauty's Wedding, Swan Lake, and Don Quixote. Additionally she spent time last summer attending MODAS 2018 Summer Intensive in New Mexico on scholarship. This summer she'll be attending the Boston Ballet Summer Intensive on scholarship for five weeks. 

Olivia's parents, both dancers, are so grateful the training, love and support provided by NADA and our community. "...all of her wonderful friends at NADA feel more like family who have been by her side in support and encouragement  year after year. The journey is even sweeter when you get to share it with great friends," says mom, Claudia McBain. 

Olivia and her family wish to send heartfelt and gracious thanks to the following people for helping her reach the highest heights and achieve her biggest goals:

NADA/NADT Director, teacher, mentor, Michael Garrison

Stacey Slichter YAGP coordinator, teacher, YAGP trainer, and mentor

Christina Simkovich, YAGP Contemporary Choreographer, trainer, teacher, mentor

Tatiana Makarova, YAGP trainer, teacher and mentor

Julia Jensen (NADA 2019 Senior) for allowing Olivia to borrow her Odalisque costume

We are looking forward to watching this young lady take the dancing world by storm! Good luck in New York, Olivia! 

Youth America Grand Prix: Congratulations Dancers

Daniel and NADT Director, Michael Garrison

Congratulations to Daniel Gray for his well deserved achievements at Youth America Grand Prix. Daniel competed in pre-competitive classical with Giselle's Peasant Pas 1st Male variation and La Sylphide James variation. He placed 3rd overall and was invited to two summer intensives. Daniel says, "I am so grateful to Mr. G and all the trainers for their investment in me. It was a great experience at the event but the training was the most valuable part." 

Keep up that training, Daniel. We see big things in your future!

 Also...

Sarah Kim competes at YAGP

Congratulations also goes out to dancer, Sarah Kim for her participation in YAGP.

Sarah says, "YAGP was a great experience and I loved it." Sarah feels she improved and became stronger throuhout her many dedicated rehearsals leading up to the competition."I love performing on the stage and and want to experience it all over again!"

Keep up the good work young lady. We're so proud of you! 

If you or your child has competed in YAGP or another recent dance competition, representing NADA/NADT, please send a photo, placement information and any other pertinent information to our Director or Special Initiatives, Dina Garrett at dgm7373@outlook.com

The Nutcracker Cast: Meet Kai, Our Sugarplum Fairy

Kai Shlomi has been dancing since the age of three! We are delighted she will be dancing the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy in North Atlanta Dance Theatre's 2018 presentation of The Nutcracker.

We asked Kai to answer a few questions about her performance:

What are you most excited about in this year's staging of The Nutcracker?
This year I am most excited to be performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy alongside my sister, Nik, who will be performing as Clara. As a senior, it feels special to be wrapping up my 11th Nutcracker with NADA, while sharing the stage with my younger sister.


Tell us what dancing this role means to you?
This is a role I have been aiming for since I was a little girl watching the Nutcracker for the first time. To truly be performing this dream role is so surreal and rewarding.


Why do you think this ballet has become such a holiday tradition?
I believe (this) ballet has become such a holiday tradition because it showcases one of the most well known seasons of the year in an art form which brings joy and holiday spirit to audience members. Ballet encourages emotion and happiness among viewers, especially through holiday classics such as The Nutcracker.


Why should people choose our show over others in the Atlanta area?
People should choose our show over others in Atlanta because we have by far one of the most high quality Nutcracker productions in the area. From the pristine costuming to the large venue, the exquisite staging, and the beautiful dancing, our Nutcracker performance is the best way to get into the holiday spirit!

Purchase tickets at www.northatlantadancetheatre.com 

Nutcracker Cast: Meet Moriah

Moriah Jones has been dancing for ten years. She will be dancing Dew Drop Fairy, Snow and Side Arabian in North Atlanta Dance Theatre's 2018 presentation of The Nutcracker.

We asked Moriah to answer a few questions about her role in this year's delightful staging of the holiday classic:

What are you most excited about in this year's staging of The Nutcracker?
I am most excited for the first scene of second act.

Tell us what dancing these roles means to you?
This Nutcracker, I will be performing my first lead roll in a ballet performance, and this will probably be the last time I will perform in the Nutcracker as I will be transitioning to college next year.

Why do you think this ballet has become such a holiday tradition?
I believe the music in this ballet is why it is so well known and liked today. The ballet starts with a Christmas scene and is colorful and bright making it perfect to bring an audience into the holiday spirit.

Why should people choose our show over others in the Atlanta area?
Families should choose NADT Nutcracker over other Nutcracker shows because it is a high quality ballet and more affordable than most professional performances.

Purchase tickets at www.northatlantadancetheatre.com