Photo by Fazzino Photography
The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory
2016 Graduation
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About The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory Now in its fifth decade, The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory was founded by Sharon E. Dante in 1969 in Torrington, Connecticut. Our mission is to provide professional-level ballet training, education, and performance experience for exceptional students interested in pursuing a career in dance. Now, 47 years later, The Nutmeg Ballet is recognized as a leading professional ballet training organization in the United States and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. Throughout the last several decades, The Nutmeg Ballet has produced dancers who have enjoyed outstanding careers in over 70 companies worldwide. Each summer, The Nutmeg Ballet trains over 200 students who travel to Torrington from around the world in pursuit of high-level dance training. While our core training is technique and performance, The Nutmeg Ballet’s philosophy also focuses on the overall development of the student, thereby building essential self-confidence, deportment and poise. Located on Main Street in downtown Torrington, The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory is housed in a 50,000 square foot state-of-the-art complex built in 2001. The Nutmeg Ballet’s curriculum, overseen by Artistic Director, Victoria Mazzarelli ’84 and Ballet Master, Timothy Melady ’85, is based on the classical Vaganova based fundamental methodology with neo-classical and contemporary training. The school offers residential and
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daytime students a full academic program in conjunction with Keystone National High School supervised by Academic Director, Donna Mattiello ’84. The artistic staff is comprised of choreographers and teachers Susan Szabo ’78, Joan Kunsch, Eleanor D’Antuono, Alexei Tchernichov, Kirk Peterson, Denise Warner Limoli, Brian Reeder, Donna Bonasera, Kate St. Amand ’98, and other internationally recognized names in the dance world. The Nutmeg Ballet maintains a 10-year pre-professional training program for area students. Since 1969, The Nutmeg Ballet has offered its International Summer Intensive Workshops in the months of June, July and August. A summer audition tour conducted by Associate Director, Joan Kunsch, and Ballet Master, Timothy Melady, encompasses over 35 major cities in the United States and abroad as well as at The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory headquarters in Torrington, Connecticut. The Nutmeg Ballet has been invited to perform with the Hartford Symphony, at Jacob’s Pillow International Dance Festival, and relishes the opportunity to participate in community outreach. We offer a full residential dance season at Torrington’s Warner Theatre and return annually to The Bushnell in Hartford, CT to dance the Nutcracker. The Nutmeg Ballet has presented a Ballerina Symposium and has made possible student field trips to see the Boston Ballet and other professional performances. For more information on The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory, visit www.nutmegconservatory.org; or call Lisa Lopez in our Admissions office at 860-482-4413 ext 304.
Meet the Artists & Staff.... SHARON E. DANTE – Founder/Executive Director
Sharon Dante founded the Nutmeg Ballet in December 1969 and has developed a training program and performance curriculum which have attracted students from over thirty-four states and a number of countries around the world. Ms. Dante was responsible for the growth and development of the training program and its related performance curriculum. During her artistic career, she coached dancers who participated in international competitions in New York, Paris, Lausanne, Varna, and Moscow. After graduating from Endicott College (‘64), University of Hartford (’66), and the Hartford Ballet, Ms. Dante became a de Rothschild Scholar at the Martha Graham School in New York City in 1967. She danced as a soloist with the Charles Weidman Dance Company, Rudy Perez Dance Company, and the Larry Richardson Dance Company, where she performed principal roles throughout the United States and Europe. Joining the Hartford Ballet as a performer, faculty member, and assistant to the director in 1969, she was instrumental in the development of that company’s educational programs throughout New England. Ms. Dante began her extensive study of the Vaganova syllabus of classical ballet training in 1972. She later became well known for her work based on this method – so much so that she has been featured on the cover of Dance Teacher Magazine in recognition of her training programs. She is one of the few Americans to have participated at the Moscow World Dance Competitions in the 1970’s and 80’s. The White House Commission’s Presidential Scholars Program has twice recognized her as “Distinguished Teacher.” Instrumental in the resurrection and re-opening of the Warner Theatre in 1984, Ms Dante was a founding member of the City of Torrington’s Economic Development Commission. She has proudly served several Mayors of Torrington in the role of Artistic Adviser. From 1997-2001, Ms. Dante and Nutmeg Ballet’s Board of Directors initiated and completed a multi-million dollar capital project in downtown Torrington. In 2000, the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts was proud to be the recipient of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Governor’s Arts Award. Also, in 2001, the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce named her “Business Woman of the Year.” Currently, Ms. Dante serves as Executive Director to the Nutmeg Conservatory, turning over the position of Artistic Director to Nutmeg Ballet graduate Victoria Mazzarelli, in 2011. She remains committed to continuing her long time relationships with many Nutmeg Alumni and current students whom she mentors on dance and extended career planning. In November of 2014, the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council awarded Ms. Dante the CultureMAX award for her Artistic contributions. She is an avid golfer and a member of the Greenwoods and Eastwoods Ladies Golf League. Her mantra in life, inspired by former Governor Ella T. Grasso, is “Grow Where You Are Planted.”
JOAN KUNSCH ~ Associate Director & National Audition Tour Director
Now in her 28th year on Nutmeg’s classical ballet faculty, Joan’s 2014-2016 guest teaching seasons have included a series of classes for the Estonian National Ballet School in Tallinn, Stockholm’s Balettakadamien for professional freelance dancers; company classes for Ballet Idaho and Canada’s Ballet Jorgen, and summer intensives at the Maritime Conservatory, Halifax, NS. She has taught and choreographed in Oslo (Kirkenaer Ballettskolen), the Swedish Ballet School, London’s Royal Ballet School and RAD Teacher Training Program, Iceland’s National Ballet School and studios throughout the USA. She served as Ballet Mistress to MOMIX and Ballet Mississippi, has taught by invitation of Pilobolus dancers, in university dance departments (Butler, SMU, U. of Utah and SUNYBinghamton). Students she has co-trained have joined over 70 professional companies. Her choreography includes works for concert stage, sacred space, TV and outdoor sites. She has written for Pointe Magazine, and produced a poetry book “Playing With Gravity” (Antrim House, 2007) and CD (2011). With her sister Kathi Byam, she performs in the duo “Flute Meets Poem.” Joan serves on the CT Dance Alliance Board of Directors.
VICTORIA MAZZARELLI `84 – Artistic Director
Victoria Mazzarelli was trained originally by Sharon Dante and the Nutmeg faculty. At seventeen she was awarded the only gold medal at the 1984 New York International Ballet Competition. Invited to join the Basel Ballet in Switzerland under the direction of Heinz Spoerli, she was quickly promoted to principal dancer. Victoria not only had the opportunity to dance leading roles in all of the company’s classical repertoire, but also in works by distinguished choreographers Hans van Manen, Jiri Kylian and William Forsythe.Victoria’s contact with Forsythe led her to join the Frankfurt Ballet 1990-1996 as principal dancer. During that time she toured extensively, and had the opportunity to work with Alonzo King, Ohad Naharin, Jan Fabre and Saburo Teshigawara.In 1996 she returned to Switzerland to join the Zurich Ballet, as principal dancer. In the summer of 2000, Victoria continued dancing as guest artist with the Frankfurt Ballet and the Schauspielhaus Zurich. In 2001 she returned to Basel to join the newly formed Basel Ballet under the direction of Richard Wherlock.Ms. Mazzarelli returned to Nutmeg in 2003 to join The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory as Associate Artistic Director and was subsequently appointed Artistic Director in 2011. She continues in this role to date, teaching, coaching and choreographing for the next generation of dancers. She also serves as guest teacher for MOMIX and as an instructor with Charym where she teaches ballet yoga.
TIM MELADY `85- Ballet Master & National Audition Tour Director
Tim Melady began his training in Connecticut and performed in the premiere of Nutmeg’s Nutcracker. He attended and graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts. At 18 years of age, Tim became a charter member of Miami City Ballet under the Artistic Direction of Edward Villella. Later he went on to dance with Ballet du Nord (France) and ultimately became Kirk Peterson’s principal dancer with the Hartford Ballet where he danced with Nutmeg graduate Cheryl Madeux (90) and others. In 2000, Tim danced at the Havana Festival,Cuba, with the Washington Ballet. He then became dancer and ballet master with the internationally acclaimed MOMIX, under the direction of Moses Pendleton. In the fall of 2008, he joined the full time faculty of Nutmeg Conservatory as Ballet Master and serves as Production Stage Manager at major performances. Mr. Melady has performed in over 45 countries on five continents. Now a teacher, coach and choreographer, he lives in Hartford CT with his wife Sally and their two children, and dedicates himself to sharing his art with future generations of dancers.
SUSAN SZABO `78 – TSOB School Director & Children’s Ballet Mistress Susan Szabo (1978) Children’s Ballet Mistress, was trained originally by Sharon Dante and the Nutmeg faculty, and danced as a soloist with the Nutmeg Ballet from 1978 to 1982. Prior to that, she graduated from the Teachers’ Training Program of The Albano Ballet and continued to hone her teaching with extensive pedagogical training in the Vaganova method which she uses as a base for children’s training programs at Nutmeg. Joining the faculty in 1981, she has overseen the children’s rehearsals and training programs at the Torrington School of Ballet for over 40 years. She remains a mainstay of the Nutmeg Ballet and is known for her extensive knowledge of the children’s syllabus.
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Meet the Artists & Staff.... Donna Mattiello ‘84 - Director of Academics Born in Torrington, Connecticut, Donna Mattiello began dancing at four years of age. She was trained originally by Sharon Dante and the Nutmeg faculty, graduating in the first Nutmeg Graduation Class of 1984. She continued her dance studies while attending Yale College. Upon graduating from Yale in 1988, she deferred acceptance to the University of Connecticut School of Law to dance with José Mateo Ballet Theatre (then Ballet Theater of Boston) in Boston, Massachusetts. Upon graduation from law school in 1992, she worked for the law firm of Shipman & Goodwin, LLP in Hartford, Connecticut for seven years prior to returning to her hometown to join the firm of Muschell & Simoncelli, LLP where she practiced law for six years. She lives in Torrington with her husband and their five children.
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Eleanor D’Antuono has been Nutmeg’s Resident Coach for over 26 years. At age 14, she joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and partnered by legendary greats Frederic Franklin and Igor Youskevich, later The Joffrey Ballet, and ultimately American Ballet Theatre, where for more than 20 years she enchanted audiences as prima ballerina. She appeared at the International Ballet Festival in Havana for several years and was the first American ballerina invited to appear as a guest artist with the legendary Kirov Ballet in Leningrad and in 1980 she was the first American ballerina invited to dance in mainland China. She formed memorable partnerships with the premier dancers of the century, including Royes Fernandez, Erik Bruhn, Paolo Bortluzzi, Rudolph Nureyev, Ivan Nagy, John Meehan, Fernando Bujones, Ted Kivitt, and Alexander Godunov and many more. Ms. D’Antuono was a principal faculty member of The Joffrey Ballet, having served as Director of The Joffrey Summer Workshop in San Antonio until 2005 and was Artistic Director of the New York International Competition since 1996. She joined the Nutmeg faculty in 1986 after working with Victoria Mazzarelli at the New York International Ballet competition. She is instrumental in the training of students and is responsible for group and private coaching in the classical ballet repertoire for the year-round residency program. She lives here in Connecticut with her loving husband John Vrabel.
ALEXEI TCHERNICHOV – Ballet Master
Patient Appreciation Day
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ELEANOR D’ANTUONO – Resident Coach & Classical Repertoire Coordinator
In honor and appreciation of all our wonderful patients, we are hosting our first annual Patient Appreciation Day. It will be a great time to socialize, have fun, and enjoy light refreshments. Please feel free to bring your friends and family members.
Born into a ballet family in the former Soviet Union, Mr. Tchernichov was introduced to classical ballet at a very young age. He studied classical ballet at the Vaganova and Bolshoi Academies. Alexei danced professionally in the former Soviet Union until he immigrated to the United States in 1988. Since then he has been teaching classical ballet to young students at places such as The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory, Skidmore College, The Westover School and The Woodbury Ballet, to mention a few. He also has taught special classes to the dancers of MOMIX for several years. Currently he is guest ballet master and artistic adviser at several schools, and does private coaching. He has returned to The Nutmeg and brings his incredible repertoire and teaching expertise to our male and female students and is teaching partnering and regular technique classes. His students have won several awards at the Youth America Grand Prix, and, have been invited to attend such prestigious schools as the Vaganova School in Russia, New York City Ballet School, ABT and others. Through Mr. Tchernichov’s mentoring and assistance, many of his students have been able to obtain positions as professional dancers in companies throughout the United States and Europe.
KIRK PETERSON – Resident Coach & Classical Repertoire Coordinator
Kirk Peterson, most receently Associate Artistic Director of Canada’s Alberta Ballet, for 17 years had a distinguished career with American Ballet Theatre as Principal Dancer, Artistic Director of ABT II, Ballet Master, and Principal Character Artist and as Master Teaching Associate for the main company, ABT II, The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at ABT and the ABT Summer Intensive. He was the innovative Artistic Director of Hartford Ballet for 5 years, assistant Artistic Director of the Washington Ballet and founding member of San Francisco’s OMO dancers. He has been a principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet, English National Ballet, Harkness Ballet, and the National Ballet of Washington and was a founding member of the Harkness Youth Dancers. He has choreographed over 55 ballets to consistently high acclaim and has worked in diverse theatrical mediums from ballet and opera to Hollywood, Broadway, London’s West End, television, and regional theatre. He was a bronze medalist at the 1972 Varna International Ballet Competition and appeared in the films “Center Stage” and “The Turning Point.” He was resident choreographer of Cincinnati Ballet for 6 years and is an official repetiteur for the Antony Tudor Ballet Trust. A long time associate and friend of Nutmeg Ballet, Kirk danced in Nutmeg’s first performance in 1970 and has since been teacher and mentor to many Nutmeg graduates who have gone on to successful careers in dance. In early 2011 he set the Anthony Tudor ballet “Continuo” for our Impact performances and this year he had been workshopping his new production of “Swan Lake.”
Susan Fazzino P‘01 - Costume Shop Director
Susan Fazzino has been involved with Nutmeg Ballet for over 23 years. She trained under the tutelage of former Nutmeg Ballet costume designer Roland Roux and continued with advanced work designing tutus and ballet costumes through programs in conjunction with New York City Ballet. She became manager of the Costume Department in 1994 and directs a dedicated staff of seamstresses and volunteers who design, create, alter and repair the hundreds of costumes owned by Nutmeg Ballet. A native of Waterbury, Connecticut, she began creating garments as a teenager and later used her training to teach youngsters to sew before moving into costume design. Her original designs for Nutmeg Ballet included all the costumes for Airs Above Ground, as well as new costumes for Nutcracker, Cinderella, Coppelia, and Nutmeg’s Spring and Summer repertoires. Susan has also designed costumes for community theater including Rainbow Summer Theatre’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Kiss Me Kate,” and “The Music Man,” as well as for the Warner Theatre’s productions of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and “Aladdin.”
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The Nutmeg Ballet 2016 Honorees
Kelsey Morris
10 Year Pre-Professional Program Kelsey Morris, an 18 year old from Morris, CT has trained at TSOB/Nutmeg since age 3. Kelsey enjoys performing, and loves both classical and others styles of dance, as well as musical theatre, photography, music, writing, art, piña coladas and getting caught in the rain. She has won many competitive awards for photography, art, and writing. She has also worked in all aspects of stage lighting, and has choreographed for Curtain Call Kids. Kelsey is excited to have this summer to do the many things that she loves.
Riley McGregor
4 Year Pre-Professional Program Riley McGregor, a 17 year old from Burlington, Connecticut is excited to be graduating from The Nutmeg and its Academic program. Highlights from her 5 years at The Nutmeg include dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy, Les Sylphides pas de deux, Kitri from Don Quixote and receiving the bronze medal at the 2015 CT Classic. This summer she will spend 6 weeks with Ballet Arizona. Riley would like to thank the faculty and staff for all of the opportunities she has been given and to congratulate her fellow graduates.
Simone Muhammad
2 Year Pre-Professional Program Simone Muhammad is a Senior at The Nutmeg, where she has been a residential student for the past 2 years. Originally from St.Louis, Missouri, she is excited to graduate from the 2 year Pre-Professional Program. In the Fall, Simone will attend the LINES BFA program at Dominican University of California.
Jennifer Schwartz
4 Year Pre-Professional Program Jennifer Schwartz is a senior who is finishing her fourth and final year with Nutmeg. She has greatly enjoyed her time here, and would like to express her deep gratitude to everyone involved in making these four years wonderful. Jennifer would like to thank her family for their support, as well as The Nutmeg staff for all they have done for her over the years. She’s looking forward to being a Trainee at Louisville Ballet.
Olivia Rick
2 Year Pre-Professional Program Olivia is an 18 year old Senior from Charlotte, North Carolina. This summer she will attend Atlanta Ballet’s summer intensive. Next Fall she will start college at SUNY Purchase, hoping to double major in dance and communications.
Matanya Solomon
2 Year Post High School Program Matanya Solomon started dancing at age 14 at Morgantown Dance Studio in West Virginia. After just one class, he knew he wanted to become a dancer. He spent 2011 taking modern, contemporary, ballet, and improv classes, and then began year round and summer training at The Nutmeg. This summer Matanya looks forward to attending American Ballet Theater in NYC for its summer intensive. In the Fall, he is especially excited to be joining American Repertory Ballet, as a Trainee, in Princeton, New Jersey. He is grateful to the faculty, staff, and guest artists with whom he has worked.
Isabel Jennings
2 Year Pre-Professional Program Isabel Jennings, a Senior, has been a residential student at The Nutmeg for 3 years. Originally from Winthrop, Washington, dancing has taken her to Chicago, New York City and Germany. She is appreciative of the training and professionalism of The Nutmeg faculty and is looking forward to pursuing dance at Marymount Manhattan College.
Erin Troost
2 Year Pre-Professional Program Erin Troost is 17 years old from Wilton, Connecticut. She is graduating this year from The Nutmeg’s 2-year Pre-Professioanl Program and has enjoyed her time developing her technique. She is excited to attend Orlando Ballet’s summer intensive for 5 weeks. Soon after, she will be off to begin her Freshman year at University of Cincinnati where she will earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Performance.
Gabrielle Linse
Post High School Program Gabriella Linse is 19 years old and hails from Seattle, Washington. She attended The Nutmeg summer intensives in 2014 and 2015 prior to enrolling this year as a post-graduate. She has enjoyed performing a variety of roles with Nutmeg, some favorites being Every End a New by Brian Reeder and Waltz of the Flowers by Kirk Peterson. She thanks her family and friends for all their support and looks forward to being a Trainee at American Repertory Ballet in the Fall.
Cassandra Punzo
2 Year Pre-Professional Program Cassie Punzo is 17 years old and resides in Southington, Connecticut. She is a graduating Senior and has been training in classical ballet for a total of 4 years. Prior to discovering a love of ballet, she was a competitive gymnast. This is her third year attending the Nutmeg Ballet, and this summer she will be taking part in Charlotte Ballet’s 5 week summer intensive.
Covington Pearson
Pre-Professional Program Covington Pearson was born and grew up in Aspen, Colorado. He has been seriously studying ballet for 3 years now and is very excited to finish his first year at The Nutmeg. This summer, Covington will be attending Boston Ballet Summer Intensive on scholarship. Covington would like to thank all of his teachers for inspiring him, pushing him, and giving him such a wonderful opportunity.
Noah Herron
Post High School Program Noah Herron is a 19-year old from Tennessee. He started his ballet training at The Nutmeg in the summer of 2013. He went on to be an apprentice at Charlotte Ballet for a year before returning to The Nutmeg in 2015. “The sense of community and support from the staff are what I believe makes this institution thrive, and creates an environment perfect for the rigorous training we receive.”
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The Nutmeg Ballet Dance Trainees
Alexandra Aiudi
Alexandra Aiudi is 13 years old and is from Barkhamsted, Connecticut. She started to study ballet at the age of 4 at the Torrington School of Ballet with Susan Szabo. This is her first year at The Nutmeg Ballet and will be attending the 4 week Summer Intensive again this summer at The Nutmeg. In her free time, she enjoys biking, playing the piano, cooking, baking and spending time with family and friends.
Grace Canfield
Grace Canfield is 17 years old and was born in New Castle, Virginia. She has been dancing from the age of 4, and by 13 she became serious about becoming a professional dancer. In the summer, she plans to attend the Masterclasses in Prague and expand her knowledge of ballet and contemporary dance.
Megan Curry
Megan Curry is 16 years old and is a Sophomore. This is her second year at The Nutmeg Ballet as a full time resident. When she was 13 years old, she began training in the Torrington School of Ballet with Susan Szabo. This summer she will attend the Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive in NYC for 6 weeks, studying with teachers from the Bolshoi Academy in Russia. She is truly grateful for the support of The Nutmeg faculty to help her work towards her goals for the future.
Talia Alicea
Talia Alicea, an 8th grader from Litchfield, Connecticut, started dancing at a very early age with Susan Szabo at the Torrington School of Ballet. This is her first year with The Nutmeg. When she’s not dancing, Talia enjoys reading, writing, baking, and talking to friends.
Kaliece Carter
Kaliece Carter is 15 years old and is a student at Torrington High School. This is her ninth year attending The Nutmeg and its school, Torrington School of Ballet. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going outside, and shopping. This summer, she is going to Bossov Ballet Theater for 1 week and Bolshoi Ballet Academy for 6 weeks.
Tim Dobbins
Timothy Dobbins was born and raised in West Fargo, North Dakota. He is 17 years old and has been dancing for 7 years, but started seriously training at 13 when he went to his first summer ballet intensive. He has been a residential student at The Nutmeg for 3 years and will be attending Ballet Arizona’s Summer Intensive as well as intensives at Next Generation and The Nutmeg.
Sydni Allen
SydniAllenlivesinSimsbury,Connecticutwithhermom, dad and brother. She is 12 years old, homeschooled and is in 7th grade. Sydni will be attending The Nutmeg this summer.
Courtney Collier
Courtney Collier is 17 years old and is originally from Northern Virginia. This is Courtney’s first year as a resident student with The Nutmeg. She has been dancing seriously for 6 years. She has trained in many different styles of dance, but has realized that ballet is her passion. Courtney’s dream is to become a dancer in a professional ballet company. This summer she will be attending The Houston Ballet Summer Intensive where she plans to continue her education in the art of ballet.
Alma Evertz
Alma Evertz is 16 years old. She was born in Zurich, Switzerland and at the age of 3 moved to Torrington, Connecticut where she began ballet at the Torrington School of Ballet. She is currently a Junior at Torrington High School, where she is an honor student. Last summer, she participated in the International Ballet Summer School Dresden in Germany. Besides ballet, Alma enjoys taking hikes, cooking, and making films.
Xavier Branch
Xavier Branch is 16 years old and in his first year of training at The Nutmeg. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Xavier began dancing at 3 years old (jazz and tap). It wasn’t until he was 13 that he took his first ballet class at the School of Richmond Ballet, where he was a student for 2 years. After attending The Nutmeg in the summer of 2015, he fell in love with the school and enrolled this past Fall. Xavier would like to thank his family, his friends, and all of his teachers over the years.
Carlye Collison
Carlye Collison is 16 years old and a Junior from Cambridge, Maryland. She began dancing at the age of 3 at Eastern Shore Dance Academy and has loved to dance ever since. This is her first year training as a resident student at The Nutmeg. She is excited to be attending Kansas City Ballet’s Summer Intensive this year.
Hailey Fairhurst
Hailey Fairhurst is 14 years old and is from Uxbridge, Massachusetts. She has been dancing since the age of 3 but didn’t start to train seriously until she was 9. This is Hailey’s first full year at The Nutmeg, after attending The Nutmeg Summer Intensive in 2015. Prior to her training at The Nutmeg, Hailey danced at Elevé Danse Centre.
Brenna Budaj
Brenna Budaj is 16 years old and is from Glastonbury, Connecticut. She attended Torrington School of Ballet for 2 years and this is where her love for ballet began. This is her third year at The Nutmeg as a resident and academic student. This summer, Brenna will be attending Amercian Ballet Theatre’s Collegiate Intensive, Bolshoi Ballet’s Intensive and The Nutmeg’s August Program.
Mary Colombie
Mary Colombie is a 16-year-old and a Sophomore at Northwestern Regional High School. This is her fourth year as a full-time Nutmeg student. She also attended Torrington School of Ballet for 5 years. She has attended The Nutmeg’s 4 week summer intensive for the past 2 summers. Last summer, she also attended Kaatsbaan Extreme Ballet in New York for 3 weeks. In her free time, Mary is most likely doing her homework, hanging out with her family, hiking, or having dance parties in the Premiere Studio.
Riley Gallagher
Riley Gallagher is 13 years old and lives in West Hartford, Connecticut. She is incredibly happy to have joined The Nutmeg family this year, and she looks forward to many more years of dancing at The Nutmeg. She is in 8th grade and will attend Hall High School in the Fall; she enjoys science and history. When she is not dancing, Riley loves playing with her two dogs, watching movies with her family, and hanging out with friends. Riley is excited to continue her training at Joffrey Chicago this summer.
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| NUTMEGGRADUATION | THE REGISTER CITIZEN
MAY 19-21, 2016
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THE REGISTER CITIZEN
| NEWS | 13
The Nutmeg Ballet Dance Trainees
Alexandra Sasha Gutman
Alexandra (Sasha) Gutman is originally from Austin, Texas and has left home to pursue her ballet training which she began at age 9. She trained at the Indiana Ballet Conservatory when she was 13, competing at the Youth American Grand Prix and placing in the top 12 in contemporary and the top 24 in classical variations. She has attended summer intensives at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and The Nutmeg. She is now training at The Nutmeg where she is extremely grateful for the opportunities that she has received and is looking forward to the future.
Andris Kundzins
This is Andris Kundzins’ second year with The Nutmeg. A year-round residential student last year, he is now a resident of Torrington, Connecticut, as his parents have moved from Nova Scotia, Canada to enroll both Andris and his sister, Rachel, in The Nutmeg. This summer, he will attend Houston Ballet for a 6 week summer intensive as well as The Nutmeg’s 2 week summer intensive in August. He is looking forward to next year and the opportunity to continue his ballet training at The Nutmeg.
Remmington Olle
This is Remmington Olle’s first year at The Nutmeg. Originally from Vail, Colorado, she is 17 years old and a Junior in high school. Remmi will be attending the Alvin Ailey professional program for 6 weeks this summer.
Nick Keeperman
Nick Keeperman, now 16, started dancing when he was 4 years old. By age 10, he realized ballet was his passion, and started taking ballet classes all over Chicagoland. At 13, he came to The Nutmeg Ballet’s summer intensive, and then stayed on. He has participated in many competitions including YAGP, WBC and the Connecticut Classic, receiving awards and scholarships from programs all over the United States as well as in Italy. Nick currently attends The Nutmeg ‘s year-round program and is looking forward to Houston Ballet’s Summer Intensive this summer.
Rachel Kundzins
Rachel Kundzins is a native of Nova Scotia, Canada. Rachel moved last Fall with her family to Torrington to enroll as a student in the pre-professional program at The Nutmeg. She is currently homeschooled in 8th grade. When not dancing, she enjoys baking, drawing and spending time with her friends.
Emily Quarantillo
Emily Quarantillo is a 17-year-old Junior from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. This is her first year training at The Nutmeg as a resident student. She started dancing at 3 years old, but started training in ballet at 14 years old. She has previously trained at Arts Triumphant Dance Theatre and Vostrikov’s Academy of Ballet. She looks forward to another year of training at The Nutmeg before graduating from the 2-year program.
Sophie Kodak
Sophie Kodak is 14 years old and lives with her mom, dad, and four sisters in Simsbury. She attends Simsbury High School as a Freshman and loves to read. In addition to her love of ballet, she loves to spend time with friends and family and to travel. She will participate in the Joffrey Chicago Summer Intensive this year.
Natalia Lopez
Natalia Lopez is 13 years old and has danced with The Nutmeg since she was 7 years old. She lives in Avon, Connecticut with her family and enjoys school, particularly math and science. When she’s not in the ballet studio, she likes to take photos, go shopping, hangout with friends, and watch Grey’s Anatomy along with videos of her favorite Royal Ballet dancers. She’s excited to be training with Bolshoi Ballet on scholarship this summer before returning to The Nutmeg for her freshman year of high school.
Autumn Rankin
Autumn Rankin is 13 years old. A student of Torrington School of Ballet since she was 6 years old, this is her first full year as a Nutmeg student. Autumn’s passion is dancing. Her favorite role was Clara in The Nutmeg’s Nutcracker. When Autumn is not dancing you will find her crafting, baking, sewing, knitting, and reading. She is homeschooled and currently taking online courses. She hopes to pursue dancing as a career.
Ella Kulicki
Ella Kulicki is 12 years old and lives in Simsbury, Connecticut. Previously a student at The Hartt School, this is her first year at The Nutmeg. When she is not dancing, Ella enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family. She has enjoyed several summer intensives including The Nutmeg’s Summer Intensive, “From Studio to Stage” at The Hartt School, and IBStage in Barcelona, Spain. This summer, she will return to The Nutmeg and to IBStage in Barcelona to continue her training with Xiomara Reyes. She is so grateful to be part of The Nutmeg community!
Ava Mayer
Ava Mayer is a 17 year old Junior from upstate New York. Before coming to The Nutmeg, Ava trained at the Decker School of Ballet. This is Ava’s second year training at The Nutmeg. This summer she will be studying at the American Ballet Theater’s Summer Intensive 5 week program in New York City. Besides dancing, Ava also enjoys drawing, reading, writing, playing the piano, and biking.
Grace Ratterree
Grace Ratterree is a 15 year old from Charlotte, North Carolina. This is her first year at The Nutmeg and she loves studying ballet as well as other forms of dance. She is very excited to attend Walnut Hill for 5 weeks this summer to further her dance training and she hopes to one day become a professional ballerina.
Jesse Kulynych-Griffith
Jesse Kulynych-Griffith is 15 years old and lives in Simsbury, Connecticut. She has been training at the Nutmeg for 3 years. She is exited to spend her summer in Chicago at the Joffrey Summer Intensive. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Anja Nicholson
Anja Nicholson is 18 years old and from Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Moving to the United States when she was 7, she began her training at the Nashville Ballet School, studying there from 2007-2013. In 2014, she came to The Nutmeg to continue her training. This is Anja’s second year at The Nutmeg. She will be going to France this summer to audition for schools for the coming Fall and to attend workshops in Cannes and Paris.
Kyra Rosenberg
Kyra is 14 years old and is from Southington, Connecticut. This was her first year at The Nutmeg. She has been dancing since she was 3 years old but only started serious ballet training at the age of 13. Prior to coming to The Nutmeg, Kyra was a competitive team dancer for 9 years. This summer she will be attending the Bossov Ballet Summer Intensive for 6 weeks. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and photography.
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| NUTMEGGRADUATION | THE REGISTER CITIZEN
MAY 19-21, 2016
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MAY 19-21, 2016
THE REGISTER CITIZEN
| NUTMEGGRADUATION | 15
The Nutmeg Ballet Dance Trainees
Melina Sagar
Melina Sagar is a 14 year old ballerina from Portland, Oregon. Prior to coming to The Nutmeg this year, she danced at the Portland Ballet. Melina has attended summer intensives at Kirov Academy and Bolshoi Ballet where she will be returning for the third time this summer.
Julius Taiber
Julius Taiber is 14 years old. He was born in Munich, Germany and moved to the U.S. when he was 3. He has studied ballet for 4 years. This is his second year at The Nutmeg and he will be going to the Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive this summer. His hobbies include watching movies and reading.
Jada Schiller
Jada Schiller recently turned 17 years old and is from Aspen, Colorado. This is her second year attending The Nutmeg as a resident student. She has been dancing for 3 years, and enjoys the training here. She originally danced at Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and was a competitive figure skater before starting ballet.
Hannah Thompson
Hannah Thompson is 14 years old and is from Tampa, Florida. This is Hannah’s first year at The Nutmeg as a resident student. An eighth grader in The Nutmeg’s academic program, she has been dancing since she was 3. Hannah will be attending American Ballet Theater in New York this summer for 5 weeks.
Janie Mae Westergard
Janie Mae Westergard, a 16-year old Junior from East Hampton, Long Island, New York, is a second year resident student at The Nutmeg. Dancing since she was 3, she has attended summer intensives at The American Academy of Ballet, The Kirov Academy of Ballet, and Open World Dance Foundation. This summer she will be returning to Open World Dance Foundation for 3 weeks, and then will spend 2 weeks in Belgium at Brussels International Ballet. She is thrilled to return to The Nutmeg for her Senior year next Fall, and is beyond grateful for all the wonderful teachers and training she has received at The Nutmeg.
Kara Skrubis
Kara Skrubis is 14 years old, lives in Granby, Connecticut, and goes to Granby Memorial High School. It is her first year at The Nutmeg and she loves it! She will be attending Bossov Ballet in Maine for 5 weeks this summer.
Jennifer Vaccaro
Jennifer Vaccaro is 14 years old and has been dancing since she was 7. She is from Higganum, Connecticut and this is her first year as a resident student at The Nutmeg as an eighth grader. Jennifer will be going to Houston Ballet this summer for 6 weeks.
Whitney Wilson
Whitney Wilson is a 15-year old from upstate New York. This is Whitney’s first year pursuing a pre-professional training program for ballet at The Nutmeg. She is classically trained in piano and enjoys singing and performing. When she is not practicing piano, she studies her first passion, ballet, as well as other genres of dance. Whitney has danced with the Moscow Ballet in the Great Russian Nutcracker and with the New York City Ballet in Firebird. Whitney’s professional theater credits include Annie, Little Women, and Gypsy.
Benton Stivali
Benton Stivali is 16 years old and is from Utica, New York. This is Benton’s second year at The Nutmeg and he plans to return next year. In his free time, he enjoys reading and listening to music.
Nick Vaccaro
Nick Vaccaro is 16 years old and is from Higganum, Connecticut. This is his second year studying at The Nutmeg as a full time resident student, he looks forward to continuing training at The Nutmeg for the duration of his high school years. In his free time he likes to dirt bike with friends and race in the Netra Junior Enduro and Hairscramble Series. He also likes to ski and boat with family and friends. He is honored to meet talented dancers from all across the United States and Canada.
Jacqueline Whitmore
Jacqueline Whitmore is 17 years old and is from Weston, Connecticut. She has been a resident student at The Nutmeg for 2 years. This summer, Jacqueline will be attending Dance Theater of Harlem and the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance.
Demeri Sutula
Demeri Sutula is 17 years old. She is currently a Junior at Brookfield High School, and has studied dance since the age of 3. This is her second year training at The Nutmeg. She will be going to Orlando Ballet this summer.
Alexandra Wells
Alexandra Wells is 16 years old and is from Cincinnati, Ohio. This is her first year as a Nutmeg resident student. She has been dancing since she was 6 years old, though the first few years mainly consisted of her just standing in front of the mirror and making faces at herself. Alexandra plans on attending Oklahoma City Ballet Intensive this summer along with taking an annual trip to France to visit her mother’s side of the family. In her free time, Alexandra loves to cook, do various crafts, and spend time with her family and friends. She hopes to one day open her own French restaurant.
Makenna Wollmann
Makenna Wollmann has just turned 17 years old and is a Junior completing her third year in the academic program at The Nutmeg. She lives in Burlington, Connecticut. Makenna first started her ballet training when she was 7 years old at the Torrington School of Ballet and is now finishing her third year at The Nutmeg. She is looking forward to attending Bolshoi Ballet’s New York Summer Intensive this year.
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| NUTMEGGRADUATION | THE REGISTER CITIZEN
MAY 19-21, 2016
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MAY 19-21, 2016
THE REGISTER CITIZEN
| NUTMEGGRADUATION | 17
The Nutmeg Ballet’s Community Outreach: Giving Back to Our Community
Photo by Fazzino Photography
Class of 2016: Noah Herron, Matanya Solomon, Covington Pearson, Cassandra Punzo, Simone Muhammad, Jennifer Schwartz, Riley McGregor, Kelsey Morris, Erin Troost, Gabrielle Linse, Isabelle Jennings, Olivia Rick
Nutmeg graduates embark upon an exceptional journey
W
hatever their point of origin and regardless of their relentless pursuit of individual goals, the twelve graduates of The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory share the dream of dance and are embarking on a wonderful journey. “As our graduation performances arrive, our students become very excited and emotional. It is a time of saying good bye and stepping into the unknown,” said The Nutmeg’s Artistic Director, Victoria Mazzarelli. “This has been a wonderful year and I look forward to hearing from our graduates from time to time as they begin their new lives. Our hope is that they always keep Nutmeg in their hearts.” This year, one special Nutmeg graduate, Kelsey Morris, has completed the 10 Year Professional Program. A Connecticut native from Morris, Kelsey began her ballet studies at The Nutmeg’s Torrington School of Ballet when she was only three. Kelsey, whose interests range from musical theatre to photography, art, and stage lighting, is excited to pursue her passions. Graduating from the 4 Year Pre-Professional Program are Riley McGregor (Burlington, CT), headed to Ballet Arizona this summer, as well as Jennifer Schwartz (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), joining Louisville Ballet as a Trainee. Graduating from the 2 Year Pre-Professional Program are Isabel Jennings (Winthrop, WA), attending Marymount Manhattan College; Cassandra Punzo (Southington, CT), training at Charlotte Ballet;
Simone Muhammad (St Louis, MI) attending LINES BFA at Dominican University; Olivia Rick (Charlotte, NC) attending SUNY Purchase in the fall; and Erin Troost (Wilton, CT) attending University of Cincinnati. A graduate of the 2 Year Post-High School Program, Matanya Solomon (Morgantown, WV), joins American Repertory Ballet as a Trainee. The Nutmeg Ballet Honorees include Covington Pearson (Aspen, CO) training at Boston Ballet this summer; Gabrielle Linse (Seattle, WA) joining American Repertory Ballet as a Trainee; and Noah Herron (Knoxville, TN). When Kelsey Morris and Matanya Solomon step up to the podium to address their fellow graduates and students on Saturday, May 21st, they will remind those in attendance what it means to dream and then act upon that vision with a sense of commitment, passion, and relentless discipline. When Moses Pendleton, Artistic Director of MOMIX and keynote speaker, who has a long standing relationship with The Nutmeg Ballet as a parent, performer, and choreographer, addresses the honorees, he is sure to captivate the audience with his sly humor, unique sense of whimsy, and fascinating insight into the creative process. The graduation ceremony that takes place in that beautiful building of brick and steel and glass, will reveal a journey of many small steps, some graceful, some powerful, with each step moving toward what was once but a dream.
The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory takes great pride in participating in community outreach and giveback efforts throughout the year, bringing art into the lives of our local communities. In the past year, The Nutmeg Ballet’s community outreach has included: • Presenting The Story of the Nutcracker in collaboration with the Litchfield Library • Engaging Litchfield pre-schoolers, Torrington elementary school children, and various local public libraries in mini-performances of Gwendolyn, the Graceful Pig • Celebrating Columbus Day with a Tarantella at Coe Memorial Park • Performing classical and contemporary repertoire outdoors in a benefit for The Warner Theatre • Reaching out to our senior citizens via on-site performances of Nutcracker excerpts for the residents of Litchfield Woods Health Care Center • Hosting a drawing Workshop in collaboration with downtown Torrington’s Five Points Gallery • Entertaining the crowds with dance at Main Street Marketplace in downtown Torrington • Supporting the arts at the Ted Hershey Dance Marathon • Dancing The Charleston at the High Stakes in the Hills fundraiser for Connecticut Jr. Republic Participating in community outreach efforts and sharing the joy of dance is what we do. You may support these programs by sharing the gift of time, talent, or treasure. To donate, please visit us online: http://nutmegconservatory.org/support-us/
Drawing on the Arts
When arts organizations collaborate, it’s a beautiful thing to behold! This spring, Five Points Gallery and The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory collaborated on Drawing on the Arts, a series of figure drawing workshops, that inspired a sense of renewed vibrancy to the Downtown Torrington arts corridor. Established and aspiring artists packed up their sketch pads, charcoal, markers, and pencils to participate in the 2-hour sessions which took place in Studio 1 of the historic Nutmeg Conservatory building on Main Street. Easels were provided for the artists to capture the elegant and graceful figures of The Nutmeg’s classical ballet students who posed for brief life studies. This unique collaboration evolved out of the growing relationship between the two arts organizations nurtured by The Nutmeg Ballet’s Executive Director, Sharon E. Dante, Artistic Director, Victoria Mazzarelli, and Five Point Gallery’s Executive Director, Judy McElhone. The success of this workshop is a testament to the power of collaboration. In fact, the workshops were such a success, not only were the figure drawing sessions extended, but some local artists have also been invited into the rehearsal studio to capture the beauty of the dancers in motion.
Congratulations 2016 Nutmeg Graduates
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| NUTMEGGRADUATION | THE REGISTER CITIZEN
MAY 19-21, 2016
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THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016
THE REGISTER CITIZEN
| NEWS | 19
Congratulations to the
P Co re-S Ne mi cho w ng o thi l Cla sS s um ses me r!
on your Successful Year
TORRINGTON
SCHOOL
BALLET
of
To Registration please visit our office at 58 Main Street, Torrington, Call 860.482.7375
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, May 28, 11 am - 1 pm & Thursday, June 23, 5 - 7 pm
For more information and to register online please visit our website: http://nutmegconservatory.org/ballet-programs/torrington-school-ballet/
