CFBA Graduate Chosen to Attend FSU Dance Program

Looking at a dual-major of Dance and Exercise Science, our 2011 CFBA Graduate, Emily Williams, auditioned for several dance programs earlier this year to decide where to attend college. After several airplane rides and auditions, she decided to attend the dance program at Florida State University – and is thrilled with her decision.

“FSU's dance program is very competitive and hard to get accepted. I met a bunch of students that tried out and didn't make it. They only accepted around 40 students in total expecting about 20 to actually end up attending.”

What does the FSU program boast?

• Over eighteen produced performances a year, as well as numerous informal performance opportunities.
• Prestigious, award winning resident faculty and staff.
• Limited access. We accept the best students and give them our full attention and mentorship.
• Extraordinary dance and performance technology facilities.

Emily noted that her decision to attend was somewhat influenced by their unique study abroad program. “FSU’s dance program was different in that during your senior year they have a study abroad program that enables you to move to New York City, Paris, or Spain for one summer semester to study dance, take classes, audition, etc. They started this program to help their graduating seniors to find a job after they graduate.”

We wish you all the best Emily! You have a very bright future ahead!

Past CFBA students who have attended the dance program at FSU include Jacque Westbrook, Etienne Diaz, and Erika DeSimone. 

For more information, on the Central Florida Ballet Academy visit http://www.centralfloridaballet.com

Interview with Upcoming Summer Intensive Student!

In just 2 weeks,the Central Florida Ballet Academy will host its annual Summer Intensive Dance Program (July 11-August 6). The CFB Summer Intensive is a formal program offering professional ballet training in the Russian Method as well as a variety of other dance styles. The program is designed to both challenge and encourage young dance students.

We sat down with Cassandra LeRette, a student of the CFB Academy, to find out her thoughts on the upcoming program.

What are you most looking forward to in the Summer Intensive Dance Program (SIDP)? Variations class.

Share your MOST memorable experience from a past SIDP: The 2007 SIDP performance, which was held at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, and all of the weekend activities!

CFB Academy Students (Pictured Left to Right): Ashton Gordon, Lauren Withee, Cassandra LeRette

Which class are you excited to take (that you don’t take during the year) and why? Excited to take yoga/conditioning because of the fact that we can relax out bodies from all of the hard work we do!!

How do you prepare each day for class? Each day I prepare by eating a healthy breakfast, getting to class early and stretching and conditioning!

What is your ideal lunch during the program and how does it help you be energized for the rest of the day? My ideal lunch would be a banana, a sandwich, and a water bottle. It helps me be energized because it is healthy. No junk food will help with your health and/or your energy!

What do you expect to bring away from the SIDP? I hope to bring away more technique and experience with different styles of classes we don't have during the year.

Thank you Cassandra for a great interview! Check back soon when we catch up with Cassandra during Week One of the SIDP!


For more information on the Central Florida Ballet Academy and the SIDP, visit http://www.centralfloridaballet.com or Call 407.849.9948.

Behind the Scenes @ Extended Session!

Pointe Class in Studio 3 with Vladimir Bykov, CFB Artistic Director

Pointe Class in Studio 1 with Diane Withee, CFB School Director

Want to try a ballet class? Call 407.849.9948 to schedule a placement or trial class. For more information, please visit http://www.centralfloridaballet.com

Ballet Camps in Orlando!

This summer the Central Florida Ballet Academy is offering summer programs for any age and level. Read below to see which programs are available for you or your child.

Mini Dance Camp: This camp is for beginner level students between the ages of 3-6. Students enjoy classes in ballet, jazz, tap, dress-up, coloring, story time, and more! Camp is held Monday-Friday from 9:00am-12:00pm. This camp is offered in one week sessions: June 20-24, June 27-July 1, and August 8-12. Read full information here.

Photo By: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

Extended Session: This camp is for preparatory to advanced level students and allows students the opportunity to train during the summer. Classes are held from 9:00-11:30 am (Monday-Friday). Students can enroll by the day and receive discounts for enrolling in classes at least 3 days per week. Extended Session is offered from June 13 - July 8 and August 8 - 26. Read full information here. 

CFB Academy Student: Arielle Martin

Adult Classes: Summer adult classes will be held from June 13 - August 26, 2011 and are available for ages 16 and up (from beginner to advanced levels). Classes are offered Tuesday-Friday from 12:00-1:00pm. Classes are $10 each or receive a discount by purchasing a class card. Read full information here.

Photo By: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

Summer Intensive Dance Program: This is a formal summer program offering professional ballet training in the Russian Method as well as a variety of other dance styles for students ages 8 - 18. Instruction in Pilates, character, lyrical, and musical theatre is also offered. Workshops in choreography and acting for dancers are given along with seminars in dance history, music theory, injury prevention, and nutrition. Read full information here.

CFB Academy Student: Joanna Schmidt

CFBA Dancer Lives her Dream in New York!

Central Florida Ballet Academy dancer, Kailey Withee, joined CFBA in 2005 at the age of 9. Since then she has been featured in lead roles with the Studio & Professional Company AND recently got the rare chance to train in New York City training with Gelsey Kirkland! Find all the details on her NEW YORK ADVENTURE below...

Kailey Withee trains at the Central Florida Ballet Academy
Photo By: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

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In Summer of 2010, Ms. Withee attended the summer program of the Washington Ballet where she received a full tuition scholarship for the 2010-11 school year & the opportunity to perform with the professional company. Later that summer, she trained at Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet and upon completion of the three week program, also received a scholarship for the 2010-11 school year.  With such incredible offers, where did Ms. Withee decide to train?

Ms. Withee ended up choosing to study in New York at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet (at the age of 15)! "I chose to study with Gelsey because she is one of ballet's greatest. She knows everything about the dance world and I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity." During her training, she benefited from daily lessons from Gelsey Kirkland and was featured as "Spanish Lead, Snow Demi Soloist, Waltz Soloist and Marzipan" in the premiere production of the GKA's The Nutcracker. 
"My experience at GKA was unforgettable. I was not only was challenged by an intense schedule of dancing from 9:00am to many times 8:00pm at night, but also learned a great deal about artistry along the way. Gelsey showed me a different side of dance which I will take with me to every company in the future." says Ms. Withee

What's next for Ms. Withee? She returned home to train at the Central Florida Ballet Academy for the beginning of summer break and later this summer will return to the Washington Ballet for their 5-week program.  After that... the future is wide open!


For more information, Visit Central Florida Ballet here or Call 407.849.9948.

CFBA Extended Session Begins Monday

Joanna Schmidt - CFBA Alumni
Photo By: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

Beginning this Monday, June 13, 2011, dance students will return for the first week of the CFB Summer Extended Session. In the summer program, classes are held from 9:00-11:30am daily (Monday through Friday). Classes are taught in ballet, pointe/pre-pointe, and stretch & conditioning. Students can enroll by day or by the week. Call 407.849.9942 to enroll your dancer or Visit  http://www.centralfloridaballet.com for more information.

CFB Alumni Featured in Dance Magazine

CFB Alumni, Sasha de Sola, is featured in the latest issue of "Dance" Magazine! In the article, Sasha rehearses "Trio" with Heigl Tomasson, Artistic Director, of San Francisco Ballet! Read the full article here.

About Sasha de Sola: As a young talented dancer, Sasha delighted Orlando crowds with her performances as Maria in Central Florida Ballet's "The Nutcracker" and numerous featured roles as a member of the CFB Studio Company. In 2004, Sasha received a FULL tuition scholarship to the prestigious Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. and traveled to Washington, D.C. to finish her training. After graduation, she joined the San Francisco Ballet as an apprentice in 2006 and the company in 2007.