NGB alumni success

Congratulations to several Next Generation Ballet alumni who have gone on to prestigious opportunities throughout the world this fall.

The following NGB alumni have joined professional companies this fall:

Hannah Bettes, Boston Ballet, company member 

Diana Dizon, Boston Ballet II, company member 

Olivia Gusti, Ballet West trainee

The following NGB alumni are training on scholarship with dance schools and colleges around the globe:

Florrie Geller and John Hewitt

Kemper Cassada - School of American Ballet, New York City, NY

Ethan Fuller - School of American Ballet

Carolynn Rowland - School of American Ballet

Hannah Stanford - Royal Ballet School, London, United Kingdom

John Hewitt - Hamburg Ballet School, Hamburg, Germany

Chander Hammond - John Cranko School, Stuttgart, Germany

Tanner Bleck - San Francisco Ballet School, San Francisco, CA

Courtney Gunsteens - San Francisco Ballet School 

Leo McGrath - Butler University, Indianapolis, IN

Corbin Panturad - Butler University

Florrie Geller- The School of Dance at UNC School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC

Claire Ashcraft - Miami City Ballet School, Miami Beach, FL

Congrats to all of these dancers for their hard work and success. We are so proud of their accomplishments!

Patel Conservatory's fall auditions

The Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory will host auditions for upcoming classes for the 2014/2015 season.

A Year with Frog and Toad 

Grades 5 through 8
This performance-based program allows students to put into practice the skills they learn in the classroom. The program culminates in a ticketed performance of this whimsical musical, written by brothers Robert (music) and Willie Reale (book and lyrics), based on the Frog and Toad children's stories.
Auditions will be Mon., Aug. 25 and Tues., Aug. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Instrumental and Vocal programs
Grades 5 through 12
Orchestra, chamber and jazz musicians, and vocalists, hone their skills and gain vaulable ensemble experience.
Auditions will be Sat., Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to Noon

Rock School

Students are placed in bands according to age and skill level, and weekly rehearsals culminate in a fully-produced Rock School Blowout concert.
Auditions will be Tues., Sept. 2 and Wed., Sept. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m.

For more information, or to RSVP for an audition, please call 813.222.1002.

Congratulations to string specialist Catherine Michelsen

Congratulations to Patel Conservatory’s string specialist, Dr. Catherine Michelsen, for recently completing the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Arizona.

Michelsen has been teaching at the Patel Conservatory since 2005 and coordinates our Suzuki violin and chamber programs. Under her direction, the Suzuki violin program has flourished in the past few years.

The Suzuki method of teaching violin is based on the teaching philosophy of Shinichi Suzuki. It is a parent/child approach which is based upon the way in which young children learn language.

Michelsen received a bachelor of music from Florida State University, a master of music in violin performance from The Boston Conservatory, and a Master of Music in Chamber Music from the University of South Florida. She completed her doctorate in May.

We are honored to have such distinguished faculty on our team.

Congratulations Dr. Michelsen!

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Patel Conservatory offers Suzuki violin to student ages three and up, and Suzuki cello to students ages six and up.

There will be an informational meeting for all those interested in learning more about Suzuki violin on Mon., Aug. 18, 2014 from 5 to 6 p.m.

To RSVP, please call 813.222.1002.