Spotlight on Tatiana Tipton

Tatiana Tipton quickly ran from TECO Theater’s backstage through the Straz Center halls to Ferguson Hall’s backstage.

She had just performed in the Patel Conservatory’s end of summer music concert, and had just a few minutes to change costumes and go on stage in the summer’s Popular Dance Intensive Showcase.

Such is life for this eighth grader from Williams Middle School. Between academics, dance, theater and music classes, rehearsals and performances, her schedule is a complex balancing act. And that’s the way she likes it.

“I love performing on stage and becoming another character. I’m always wanting to do more,” said Tatiana, who will be performing in the Conservatory’s fall productions of Schoolhouse Rock Live!, Jr., and The Nutcracker.

Tatiana began taking dance classes at the Patel Conservatory when she was about three years old. She took classes elsewhere for a while until her mom, Jeanette, realized she was developing some bad habits and brought her back to the Conservatory.

“Within a year of being back at the Conservatory, I saw a difference in her ballet technique and ability,” said Jeanette.

That was the first year Tatiana performed in The Nutcracker.

“I was so surprised when I got a role as a Party Girl. It was so much fun to be in a role that required me to act and dance, and part of what got me into acting,...the whole experience of the beautiful sets and costumes, it was amazing,” said Tatiana.

The following summer, she jumped into musical theater with the Conservatory’s production of The Little Mermaid, Jr.

“The Little Mermaid was a whole new experience. Watching the design and building of the sets and the costumes, and seeing it all come together, I thought it was the coolest thing. I just wanted to do everything.”

She has since performed in several Conservatory theater productions, and added voice and acting classes to her already busy dance schedule. She’s currently enrolled in several dance, theater and music classes, as well as private voice and flute lessons at the Conservatory. She’s working towards a theater certification and hopes to one day perform on Broadway.

“Being able to take singing, acting and dance is a great experience. I like putting in the work. I like to challenge myself,” she said.

Jeanette appreciates that Tatiana can get all of her performing arts training under one roof with such a professional staff.

“Every show they produce, whether it’s musical theater or dance, is so amazing that it’s hard to believe sometimes that the kids are just students and not professional performers,” said Jeanette.

“I like that she has the ability to dabble in everything. I see how much it has made her blossom as an individual. I think it’s made her more well-rounded and much more self-confident.”

In addition to Tatiana’s busy performance schedule, she plays flute in her school band and maintains almost excellent grades in Williams’ challenging IB program.

“I try very hard to stick to my schedule. I work to get a lot done on the weekends, I can’t get too sidetracked by my phone or TV. I’ve always been pretty much a straight A student, and I try to keep that up,” said Tatiana.

Whether memorizing scripts, practicing flute, or working on dance choreography, Tatiana feels most at home at the Conservatory.

“I enjoy coming here so much. All the teachers here are great. It’s like family,” she said.

Don’t miss Tatiana and a cast of more the 30 students in the musical version of the popular television show, SchoolhouseRock Live!, Jr., Nov. 5 through 8, 2015 in TECO Theater.


For tickets or more information, click here or call 813.229.7827.

Snow falls in Morsani Hall at this year's Nutcracker

The holidays are approaching, and there's no better way to celebrate the season than to enjoy the classic story of The Nutcracker.

This year’s production of Next Generation Ballet’s (NGB) Nutcracker will be even more magical as snow will fall on stage and over the audience!

Miguel Anaya

Featuring guest artists from The Washington Ballet Miguel Anaya and Maki Onuki, this enchanting ballet is a family tradition that’s sure to delight!

Miguel Anaya, who joins us as the Cavalier, is from Havana, Cuba, having trained at the Alfonso Perez Isaac School and National Ballet School of Cuba. He is a winner of the Grand Prix National Competicion in Cuba, and has performed as a soloist with Ballet Nacional de Cuba with Alicia Alonso.

This year’s Sugar Plum Fairy, Onuki, is from Kanagawa, Japan, and is currently in her 10th season with The Washington Ballet. She has received numerous awards including the 2010 bronze medal at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss., a MetroDC Dance Award for Outstanding Individual Performance for Wunderland in 2011, and a gold medal at VKIBC competition this year.

Maki Onuki

Choreographed by NGB Artistic Director Peter Stark, this production has “marvelous” costumes “with inventive, whimsical touches.” (Tampa Bay Times) From the moment the lights dim, audiences are transported to a magical place filled with marching toy soldiers, a growing Christmas tree, giant mice and crystalline waltzing snowflakes. “This Nutcracker is a standout among many.” (Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

Don’t miss our award-winning NGB dancers, along with a cast of nearly 175 dancers, inThe Nutcracker Dec. 13 and 14, 2014 at the Straz Center.

Be sure to arrive early to get family photos with Santa Clause, and, on Sunday, enjoy live pre-show caroling in Morsani lobby from Patel Conservatory’s vocal arts students.

For more information or tickets, click here, visit our Ticket Sales Office in person, or call 813.229.7827.

Next Generation Ballet is the official pre-professional dance company of the Straz Center's Patel Conservatory. For more information about NGB, click here.

Vocal arts students enjoy an array of performance opportunities

Patel Conservatory Vocal Arts students are enjoying a busy fall season!

Patel Conservatory's Vocal Arts kick off event at Al Lopez park

Students from the Junior and Senior Choirs and Ensembles recently kicked off the season with a welcome back picnic at Al Lopez Park, as well as their first fall concert last month.

This Sun., Nov. 2, they’ll perform at the Jaeb Theater as part of the Tampa Jewish Book Festival, with a special rendition of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen in honor of the event’s featured book.

The Conservatory’s vocal arts program continues to grow under the leadership of instructor Kavanaugh Gillespie. In both the Choirs and Ensembles, students work on proper singing technique and music reading and develop solo and group singing skills through rehearsal and performance of various styles of choral music. On Dec. 6, they’ll get the opportunity to learn from professionals as they participate in a master class with touring vocal artists the Medieval Babes, who will be performing at the Straz Center.

December also brings plenty of performance opportunities. Check out our vocal arts students these fun, family-friendly events that will get you in the holiday spirit!

Dec. 6 - Junior and Senior Choirs and Ensembles perform in the City of Tampa’s Santa Fest event at Curtis Hixon Park.

Dec. 10 - Patel Conservatory’s vocal and instrument students perform in a Holiday Concert, featuring a dessert bar, audience sing-a-long, and classic holiday tunes.

Dec. 14  - Vocal arts students help set the holiday mood with caroling in the Ruth Silbiger Lobby before the Sunday matinee of Next Generation Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

Come sing with us! If you’d like to join our vocal arts family, there’s room for you!

Auditions for the spring session will be Jan. 6, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Jan. 10, 2015 from 10 a.m. to noon. Placement auditions help instructors recommend the best class or ensemble for each student.  For more information, or to schedule an audition, contact Kavanaugh.gillespie@strazcenter.org or call 813.222.1002.

Dancers inspire kindness and acceptance

Like any sport, the dance world can be competitive.

Jake Tribus

But Next Generation Ballet dancers Jake Tribus and Jonathan Fahoury hope to show that even though dancers may compete against each other for titles, they can still support each other without judgement or criticism.

Tribus, 16, from Raleigh, N.C., and Fahoury, 14, from Boulder, Colo., are part of group of dancers from around the country trying to inspire kindness and acceptance through their non-profit organization Artists Giving Hope.

“Kindness changes everything is our motto,” said Tribus, “we want everyone to understand and accept one another regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc..”

Founded by Tribus and fellow dance competitor Christina Ricucci, in March, the group performs and offers master classes to raise awareness and help support like-minded charities. They recently offered a master class at a studio in Birmingham, Ala., which raised approximately $500 for Dancers Fighting Cancer. Their next goal is to raise enough to fulfill a dance-related wish for Make-A-Wish.

Tribus and Fahoury met in 2013 at the New York City Dance Alliance convention.

“It’s a week-long national dance competition and workshops,” said Tribus.

Tribus won the National Teen Male division, and Fahoury won the National Male Junior division. As title winners, they toured the country with the organization, performing and assisting faculty.

“It was a great experience teaching me how to be more of a professional,” said Tribus.

Both dancers recently moved to Tampa with their families to train at the Patel Conservatory.

Jonathan Fahoury

Fahoury attended NGB’s summer intensive and found the training exceeded his expectations.

“In three weeks, I improved so much. I wanted to improve more,” said Fahoury. “I know I want to do this as a profession...so I want to be as well trained as possible in various styles.”

Tribus, whose background is predominantly in contemporary and jazz, joined NGB to improve his ballet technique.

“I’ve never had a ballet class with all men...I can already see my technique growing in just the month and half I’ve been here,” said Tribus. “Definitely having multiple classes a day filled with kids of the same passion and same caliber...it pushes me.”

Tribus will play the Mouse King, lead Russian and lead Arabian in Next Generation Ballet’s upcoming production of The Nutcracker. Fahoury will play the lead Chinese and a Russian dancer.

Come see Tribus and Fahoury in this year’s The Nutcracker, Dec. 13 and 14, 2014 at the Straz Center.

Spotlight on Hannah Stanford

The role of the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker typically goes to seasoned professionals of the most elite dance companies.

Hannah Stanford. Photo by Kathy Schmitt.

Yet, Hannah Stanford brings grace and maturity to this principle role at only age 15, for the second time.

For the second year in a row, Stanford will perform as the Snow Queen in an upcoming performance of Next Generation Ballet’s The Nutcracker, the Great Imperial Ballet at the Straz Center.

“In a company, you start in the corp. You don’t start as a principle dancer,” said Stanford. “It’s really exciting. It’s amazing to have this role at 15.”

Stanford was recently named as one of Creative Loafing’s annual 25 and Under, which features the Tampa Bay area’s most promising up and coming artists under the age of 25.

She moved from Port Orange, Fla. to the Tampa area nearly three years ago to study dance full-time at the Patel Conservatory. As a Next Generation Ballet (NGB) New Artist, she trains five to six days a week, squeezing in academics in the mornings through Florida Virtual School. A year ahead academically, she’ll graduate before turning 17.

She’s also a year ahead in the dance world. She was accepted at age 14 to the Royal Ballet School in London, but had to wait meet their age requirement. She’ll attend in the fall of 2014.

“I’m very excited to go to London. It’s coming closer every day,” she said.

For Stanford, it’s all dance, all the time, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I love dancing, and I love being at the Conservatory, just to see my friends and to dance.”

In addition to the Snow Queen, she’ll also perform in the Snow Corps and the Flower Corps.

“I love this production of The Nutcracker because the costumes are very authentic and the set is just beautiful. And the choreography is amazing.”

Don’t miss Stanford and all of the award-winner NGB dancers in The Great Imperial Ballet, Dec. 7 and 8 at the Straz Center.

From the exquisite sets and costumes to the extraordinary talent of the NGB dancers, this holiday favorite is bound to be the highlight of your season.

Spotlight on Tristan Braboy

With his theater background, it’s a natural fit for Tristan Braboy to take on the dramatic role of  Drosselmeyer in Next Generation Ballet’s upcoming production of The Nutcracker, the Great Imperial Ballet.

“I’ve been dancing since I was a little kid,” said Tristan. “I’d always known about [the Patel Conservatory], but I’m in St. Pete, so I didn’t know anyone who went there.”

When Tristan’s longtime dance studio closed, his parents sought out a new place for him to train. The 18-year-old from St. Petersburg joined Next Generation Ballet at the Patel Conservatory in his sophomore year of high school.

Now, in his third year at the Conservatory, he was thrilled to be cast as the eccentric uncle who gives Clara the famed Nutcracker doll. 

“I’m honored to be playing this role,” said Tristan, who played the Prince in his first year at the Conservatory.

“Drosselmeyer does all the magic tricks. It’s cool to not just be doing ballet, it’s cool to change it up.”

A senior at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School, Tristan has also focused on drama since he was in elementary school, as well as his dance training.

This summer, he was a mentor in the Broadway Theatre Project at the University of South Florida, where he was encouraged by one of the instructors to audition for Pointe Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts in Pittsburgh. While it’s not official yet, he’s looking at a promising scholarship offer.

He was recently named one of Creative Loafing’s annual 25 and Under, which features the Tampa Bay area’s most promising up and coming artists under the age of 25, and he was the host of the Conservatory’s 2013 Spotlight Awards.

He’s excited about being a part of The Nutcracker. “I think audiences will be very impressed. The quality that goes into this show is unreal. 

“The Nutcracker puts people in the holiday spirit. It brings warmth to the season, and brings everyone together.”

You can see Tristan, and many more stars of tomorrow including Hannah Stanford, also named one of Creative Loafing’s 25 and Under, in Next Generation Ballet’s The Nutcracker, the Great Imperial Ballet.

The Nutcracker plays Dec. 7 and 8, 2013 in Carol Morsani Hall at the Straz Center. For tickets, click here.

The Nutcracker on Good Day Tampa Bay

Patel Conservatory and Next Generation Ballet dancers in this weekend's The Nutcracker, the Great Imperial Ballet appeared on Good Day Tampa Bay this morning.

Charley Belcher, left, with Johnny Maio

It was a full morning with host Charley Belcher, who interviewed some of the dancers between performances from our Irish step dancer, the Butterflies and Caterpillars, the Chinese dancers and the Nutcracker prince.

If you missed the show, click here for this morning's segments.

Good Day Tampa Bay will feature one of the performances from this morning on their show on Christmas morning.

Here's a few pictures from this morning's preview...

The Nutcracker featured in the news

The Spanish dancers from The Nutcracker will appear on
Daytime TV on Thursday morning.

Patel Conservatory students have been making the rounds this week.

In anticipation of this weekend’s performance of The Nutcracker, the Great Imperial Ballet, students from Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet and Next Generation Ballet have been seen on TV and in the news all week.

Thanks to our performers for their appearances on Studio 10, Daytime TV, Good Day Tampa Bay, Infomas TV and many more!

Tickets are going fast! Don’t miss this incredible show that features more than 180 performers, from the adorable caterpillars to the talented Next Generation Ballet dancers and the breathtaking guest artists from Boston Ballet and the New York City Ballet.

You can catch some of our students on Daytime TV on Thursday morning, and Good Day Tampa Bay on Christmas morning.

Students enjoy a sneak peak of The Nutcracker

Students from the Metropolitan Ministries Partnership School enjoyed a sneak peak of Next Generation Ballet's production of The Nutcracker, the Great Imperial Ballet, playing at the Straz Center this weekend.

As part of our outreach program, the Patel Conservatory has a partnership with the school, which is a Hillsborough County school for homeless and at risk students.

Thanks to the generosity of an individual sponsor, the students were brought to the Patel Conservatory and treated to performances from Teacups, Butterflies, Chinese dancers and more.

Following the performance, the students went to Rehearsal Hall for lunch and gifts from Santa.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsor for helping create wonderful memories for these students.

Hannah Beach shares her Royal experience

Congratulations to Hannah Beach, who recently performed as part of the Swan Corp in the Royal Ballet Company’s production of Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House in London.

Hannah, backstage in
Swan Lake in London

Hannah trained at Next Generation Ballet at the Patel Conservatory before moving on to the Royal Ballet School (RBS) in London in 2011. She was one of only six students from RBS cast in the professional company performance of Swan Lake.

Hannah’s sister, Gabrielle Beach, now an NGB Apprentice, will perform in The Nutcracker at the Straz Center on Dec. 22 and 23, 2012.

The following is from a letter from Hannah to NGB artistic director Peter Stark about her recent experiences...

“I have been extremely busy over here in London. Swan Lake has finally finished after performing in 21 shows, but it’s not over because I am now doing Snowflakes, Flowers and a cover for Angels (understudy) in The Nutcracker. I just did Flowers Corps in the opening dance and the Finale during the Act II run through yesterday :) I am so happy to be doing so much with the company!!!! [...]

On Monday the school and some company members performed for an arts gala at Buckingham Palace!! It was absolutely amazing! They set up a stage in the throne room and we danced and met Prince Charles :D Darcey Bussell and Natalie Portman were also there! 

Photo by Johan Persson

After the show, the Prince came to talk to us and ask us about how we got to the school and were we are from. I got to talk to him directly and say that I am from the States and I came to the school through a competition. He asked why I chose Royal over other schools in America. I said that everyone in America want to come to London because the school is of better and different quality. He was happy to hear that. lol

Today the graduating class is all taking a bus to Birmingham to visit the Royal Birmingham Ballet! I also have an audition in Hamburg for the Hamburg Ballet on December 9th. :) I am so excited to travel there and see what Germany is like. I am preparing Lilac Fairy as a solid and strong variation to do if they ask for one [...].

I hope everything is going well back at NGB. I hope I can see a dress rehearsal or something of The Nutcracker while I'm home in December, I miss everyone, and please tell Ms. Ivonne about my adventures. :)”

Congratulations to Hannah on her success!

Spotlight on Pat Adams

Pat Adams, second from left, plays Father Silberhaus in
The Nutcracker

Dance has always been a part of Pat Adams’ life.

“My mother was a tap dancer and a tap dance teacher...she used to teach me and my sisters in our house when I was a kid,” said Pat.

The 73-year-old retired psychotherapist has been taking tap classes at the Patel Conservatory for about five years.

For the third year in a row, he’ll also play the role of Father Silberhaus in The Nutcracker  at the Straz Center next month.

Having grown up dancing, he always enjoyed various types of dance. Throughout the years, he and his wife have taken ballroom lessons, square dancing and folk dancing.

When his mom took up clogging in her retirement years, Pat joined her. They clogged together for about 15 years until his mom died at age 88.

“After my mother died, I didn’t tap or clog for quite a while. My wife thought that I should get involved with some kind of group,” said Pat.

That’s when he found the tap classes at the Patel Conservatory. 

“I just find it (the Conservatory) a very dynamic place. The faculty are very dedicated, very professional and enthusiastic,” he said. Tap instructor Susan Downey “challenges us with new stuff all the time. She acts like she’s getting me ready for Broadway...she pushes you.”

A wonderful aspect of being involved at the Conservatory is working with all types of people, from adults of all ages in his tap classes, to the talented Next Generation Ballet dancers in the cast of The Nutcracker.

“I enjoy performing, and I’m just amazed at these Next Generation Ballet dancers. These young dancers are just incredible. I enjoy being involved with (the show) and bringing it together as a performance...it’s exciting to be around all that energy and ability and talent.”

Dance has helped Pat stay young in mind, body and spirit.

“I like the feel of dancing, of moving to music. It’s good to keep your brain and body trying new things,” he said. “It keeps you alive and in the world.”

The Nutcracker will run Dec. 22 and 23, 2012 at the Straz Center.

Pat will also perform along with dancers from several Patel Conservatory dance classes in An Evening of Dance on Dec. 15, 2012 in the TECO Theater.

Royal training for a prince and a queen

This year’s Nutcracker Prince and Snow Queen are getting some Royal treatment.

Kemper Cassada, who plays the Prince in The Nutcracker, the Great Imperial Ballet  at the Straz Center in Tampa, will soon attend a week of training at the prestigious Royal Ballet School (RBS) in London.

Hannah Stanford

Hannah Stanford, who will dance the role of the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, recently completed two weeks at RBS.

Next Generation Ballet apprentices, Kemper and Hannah earned scholarships to attend RBS at the 2012 Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition in New York City earlier this year.

At the final YAGP competition, Kemper made it past three rounds, but didn’t place in the last round, he said. Disappointed, he didn’t expect the scholarship from RBS.

“They were calling kids on stage, and I was really happy for them. Then they called my name. I was really excited,” said Kemper. “Going to a ballet school like Royal Ballet is just absolutely amazing.”

His week at RBS will determine possible placement for next year.

On being cast as the Prince in this year’s Nutcracker, he said, “I’m looking forward to my first principal role as a lead in a ballet...it’s a great challenge.”

Kemper Cassada

Attending RBS, and being in the The Nutcracker, are great opportunities, he said.

During Hannah's two weeks at RBS, she trained with their first year students, most of whom are 16 years old or older, and learned several new pieces from various ballets.

“I really enjoyed the different classes, especially repertoire...We learned a piece from Frederick Ashton's Cinderella, a portion of Daphnis and Chloe, and I also learned a pas de six from Giselle. We also had character, pas de deux, and choreography which I really enjoyed,” said Hannah.

Hannah Stanford at the Royal
Ballet School in London

The 14-year-old moved to Tampa a year and a half ago to train at the Patel Conservatory, and says she’s grown as a dancer since she’s been here.

“When we saw the treble clefs on the doors, we knew we had come to the right place,” said mom Susie Stanford. The musical note that adorns the entrance to the Patel Conservatory conveys the feeling of arriving at their artistic home.

With an invitation to return to RBS, Royal may be in Hannah's future, but in the meantime this Snow Queen brings her grace to the Morsani stage at the Straz Center.

Of her role in The Nutcracker, she said, “I love the choreography, and the music is so beautiful, I feel like I am a part of it when I am dancing.”

Come see Kemper and Hannah and more than 180 other dancers in Next Generation Ballet's magical production of The Nutcracker, the Great Imperial Ballet, Dec. 22 and 23, 2012 at the Straz Center.

These performances have been known to sell out, so get your tickets early!

Spotlight on Marta Kelly

Marta Kelly has performed the same choreography for The Nutcracker for the past few years.

This weekend, Kelly is looking forward to performing new original choreography for Next Generation Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Straz Center in Tampa.

“My favorite role in The Nutcracker is Dew Drop,” said Kelly. “It’s so beautiful and powerful.”

One of Next Generation Ballet’s New Artists, Kelly will perform as Dew Drop as well as other roles for the various performances throughout the weekend, including the role of the Snow Queen alongside Boston Ballet soloist Jeffrey Cirio.

Born in Mexico, Kelly moved to Emerald Isle, NC when she was young with her twin sister, Maggie, and her mom. She began taking dance there and studied jazz, tap and lyrical dance.

One day, a senior level ballerina taught one of Kelly’s classes.

Struck by the teacher's grace, “I thought if I could change the way I dance, I could dance like her,” said Kelly. That was the defining moment that has led her to pursue a career in ballet.

When she was eight years old, she and her mom moved to Pompano Beach, FL so Kelly could study ballet with Magaly Suarez. She trained there for two years, then went to Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet for five years.

Now 16 years old, Kelly moved to Tampa in the fall to train here at the Patel Conservatory.

“I love how we’re exposed to the different arts here,” said Kelly of being a part of the Straz Center an NGB artist.

When she goes to class, it’s not unusual for her to hear opera singers in the adjoining studios. She also feels she has a vast array of opportunities here, such as master classes with guest artists from the Straz, and competitions.

In January, Kelly will compete for the first time in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) regional competition. The same weekend, she’ll perform in the YAGP Gala Stars of Today Meet Stars of Tomorrow.

“There’s so much going on here,” said Kelly, “It’s awesome!”