58 MAIN STREET TORRINGTON, CT 06790
NEWSLETTER / SPRING 2015
AT THE
W
A YEAR IN REVIEW
hat a fantastic year it has been! While talking with Nutmeg Artistic Director, Victoria
Mazzarelli, the words “so much” kept coming up, said often with smiles and an expression
of awe at all that the students and faculty have accomplished. This year has offered more
performance opportunities which have enabled the students to flourish. Additionally, new guest artists
graced the studios providing different approaches to their dance education. Here are a few of the many
highlights.
Nutcracker season began with an outreach performance at Litchfield Woods. This was followed by 2 sold
out Sugar Plum Tea Parties in November. Weeks of preparation by students, parents, and staff resulted
in guests commenting that they felt as if they were visiting Disneyland at The Nutmeg. The night before
“Nutcracker opening night” a 45th Anniversary event was held, with donors and alumni beginning the
evening at Five Points Gallery to see exhibits by 3 artists with Nutmeg connections and then attending the
final dress rehearsal at The Warner. The 7 Nutcracker shows lived up to and surpassed their reputation for
excellence.
Spring has proven to be a whirlwind of activity. In early March IMPACT 2015 played to sold out
audiences and excited everyone with classical, contemporary, MOMIX, and modern pieces. Several
students cut their Spring Break short to prepare for the 2015 Connecticut Classic Ballet Scholarship
Competition, which Nutmeg hosted along with The Warner Theatre. Congratulations to the students
who participated; Alma Evertz, Nick Gray, Nick Keeperman, Alex Lopez, Riley McGregor, Thel Moore
and Jenn Schwartz. They all performed beautifully and were true ambassadors for Nutmeg. Nick Gray and
Riley McGregor shared the bronze medal and Thel Moore received the silver medal.
The dates April 9 - 12 may go down in Nutmeg history. Students danced in 9 shows during those days - 3
separate events in 3 different locations! Several students danced in 4 performances of the Sleeping Beauty
Suite at The Bushnell with The Hartford Symphony Orchestra, New England’s second largest orchestra.
The students were afforded an amazing opportunity to work with the Hartford Symphony’s Music
Director and Conductor, Carolyn Kuan. Ms. Kuan embraced the dancers and made the experience a true
collaboration. Nick Keeperman joined Skidmore College as a guest artist in Skidmore’s productions of
Sleeping Beauty set by Denise Warner Limoli. Many of the Nutmeg students made the trip to Skidmore
to view the performance. Alma Evertz and Thel Moore performed in the 17th annual Ted Hershey Music
and Dance Marathon which has become a tradition for the past several years. For interesting background,
photos, and details about these exciting performances see http://nutmegconservatory.org/in-the-media/ or
the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts Facebook page.
Before we know it Graduation will be here, with more exciting performances as well as the Graduation
Ceremony. And then - summer. For Nutmeg this summer brings 3 filled Summer Programs. At Nutmeg
there is never a dull moment or an off-season. Based on the success of this exciting year we can look
forward to what is yet to come as Nutmeg keeps growing and continues to leave it’s mark in the worldwide
sphere of dance.
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NEWSLETTER / SPRING 2015
NEWS FROM THE STAFF
On April 15-19th, The Nutmeg’s artistic director, Victoria
Mazzarelli, traveled to Frankfurt, Germany for a farewell
performance and special reunion honoring
world-renowned award-winning choreographer William Forsythe.
Forsythe took over Frankfurt Ballet in 1984 and transformed
it into the epicenter of the contemporary dance scene known as
the Forsythe Company. After 30 years as artistic director, William
Forsythe, will be leaving his position with the company to serve
as artistic advisor to the Paris Opera Ballet as well as joining the
University of Southern California’s Glorya Kaufman School of
Dance faculty as a professor of dance in fall 2015. Jacopo Godani,
a former dancer with Mr. Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt who is now a
freelance choreographer, was named as the new artistic director.
“It’s an incredible honor to have worked so closely with such a
gifted and intellectual choreographer. We didn’t know it at the time,
but Bill was changing the language of dance – pushing the limits
of ballet.” Victoria spent six incredible years working closely with
Forsythe as a principal dancer from 1990 to 1996 where she honed
her creative abilities and toured extensively with the company.
Victoria’s lovely daughter, Alma, accompanied her on this
celebratory journey revisiting longtime friends and colleagues. The
trip included a surprise visit to Basel Ballet where The Nutmeg’s
artistic director accepted her first professional contract after being
awarded the only gold medal at the 1984 New York International
Ballet Competition at the age of 17. She spent the first six years
of her professional career in Basel, Switzerland before joining
Frankfurt Ballet.
A message from Sharon Dante, Founder & Executive Director:
Parents, I am most appreciative along with the entire board and
staff for all the Parent Network has done from volunteering for
Nutcracker to contributing beautiful baskets to your most recent fund
raising campaign. I wish all parents a wonderful spring and summer
and look forward to your future endeavors on behalf of The Nutmeg.
We love your children and look forward to their technical and artistic
growth over the next year.
Thanks so much, Ms. Dante
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From Joan Kunsch,
Associate Director &
National Audition
Tour Director:
Imagine walking into an
unfamiliar studio. Already wellspaced at the barre, young ballet
students with shining eyes and
perfect grooming wait to begin
the audition class. At once, a
few faces stand out with special
eagerness....A young male dance
student shakes hands solemnly,
with warmth and courtesy. It
could be Boise...San Francisco...
Indianapolis... Utica....Denver....
Atlanta... Oslo....or any one of
20 cities I visited during this
audition season. Directors and
daily ballet teachers are happy to
have Nutmeg in their school for
a day.
Often the pianists are
musicians I know and have
worked with many times before.
These collaborations add a
special joy to each audition,
as the best pianists are able to
provide music that ennobles
what the very young, often
inexperienced dancers are trying
to achieve in movement.
In Oslo on March 21st, there
was a memorable rehearsal
being held, of three pieces I had
choreographed for Kirkenær
Ballettskolen a number of years
ago. A few who once danced
those pieces have kept them
alive, taught and cleaned and
curated, through two decades
of young classes, and they were
danced for me in costume by
the “Barneballett,” or Children’s
Ballet. After the rehearsal, which
was deeply moving to watch and
during which I was invited to
help with corrections, the young
dancers and parents heard the
NEWSLETTER / SPRING 2015
NEWS FROM THE STAFF (continued)
usual Nutmeg Orientation ~~
given mostly in Norwegian! I
passed out our current brochures,
and parents and dancers alike
expressed high interest in
Nutmeg for future training.
The series of classes I taught
in Stockholm was for that city’s
professional free-lance dancers,
already launched into their
careers. Nevertheless, the word
about Nutmeg was spread, and
some of those artists hope to visit
Nutmeg when they have a chance
to come to the U.S.A.
Let’s talk, as there is MUCH
more to tell!
Thanks, Joan Kunsch
From Kate St. Amand:
Modern
Having a professional dance
company, teaching high school
age students, and having young
children of my own certainly
make life busy right now, but the
richness I receive as a result is
extraordinary.
I have taught at Nutmeg at
various times over the past ten
years, but it has never affected
me in quite the same way as
over the course of the last year.
Perhaps this is because I see,
respond, react, and engage
differently with children since
having my own. Maybe it is
because I have found a new layer
of confidence in my professional
work after having so many ups
and downs running a company.
Or maybe even it’s that I’ve got
my teaching “legs” under me a bit
more now after a few solid years
at it more consistently.
To be honest, although each of
these are very real observations,
I believe that my current sense
of peace and inspiration comes
from this very special group of
young people. Each and every
time I teach I am blown away
by the energy in that building
right now. The work ethic, the
positivity, the hunger. Certainly
some days are better than others,
but on the whole, I have never
taught a more connected group.
Even students I don’t have “in
class” are constantly supportive
and interested in the work we
are doing. Nutmeg has always
done a tremendous job of placing
an awareness and respect for
contemporary dance in the
context of the program (heck,
I graduated and went straight
to modern dance conservatory
upon graduation). The focus is,
and will always remain classical
ballet training, as it should. The
acceptance, or more accurately
respect, that contemporary work
is given only heightens their
training. I sense that the current
students know and understand
that. It’s not just figurative
anymore (ie, “learning how to
move your spine more loosely
will help your ballet training”).
It’s actual. Ballet companies
need fresh dancers well-versed
in contemporary work. They
need brave movers, thoughtful
collaborators, and risk takers.
The students understand this
more and more and the result is
a more focused, fun, energetic,
useful and fruitful time together.
It’s amazing! They have a hunger
for learning new movement and
it’s showing. They are feeling
more confident. Questioning
more. Pushing themselves.
I tell them constantly that
my job at Nutmeg is to enhance
their ballet training. I let them
know that I am on their side and
I want modern dance to be a
tool they can use to better their
career, not to mention their lives.
Finding their creative voice and
finding confidence in themselves
is a tool we can all use, anywhere.
I am honored to be sharing
movement with your children.
Thank you for sharing them
with me!
DANCE SHOP GRADUATION WEEKEND SPECTACULAR SALE
To honor the graduates and to celebrate everyone at Nutmeg, the dance shop will be having a graduation
weekend sale!
Exciting new merchandise will be in the dance shop, including:
• Logo apparel for TSOB & Nutmeg •Hot and cold beverage mugs • Wine glasses • Golf Balls •
• Wrist ands • USB Drives • Coffee mugs • Bumper stickers • Window decals
Shop early and shop often! Promote Nutmeg as you use the things you need everyday. Your purchases are
very appreciated as they directly benefit the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory.
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NEWSLETTER / SPRING 2015
NEWS FROM THE STAFF (continued)
From Karen Tuck,
Housing Director:
The Ricks have generously
donated a Vitamixer so
students will be able to have
smoothies and homemade
soups. It will be housed in
the Dorm Director’s
Apartment but is available
for student use.
Students needing to see
Brian Magna for Physical
Therapy must first have
completed forms from
parents giving permission
for them to be treated. And
information needs to be
provided so they can process
it through the insurance
company. The forms can be
found on the website: www.
MagnaPhysicalTherapy.com
Click on: “Physical Therapy
Forms” Then, click on:
“New Patient- Physical
Therapy Forms”
Year End
Student Events
Spirit Week April 20-25
• Each day of the week the
kids have a theme of what
to wear
•Pizza Party on Friday,
April 24 after classes.
•Talent Show Saturday,
April 25
Burr Pond on Sunday,
April 26
Six Flags Trip Sunday, May 3
Year End Dinner Friday,
May 8
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THANK YOU FROM THE
PARENT NETWORK
As the school year comes
to a close, I would like to send
out a note of thanks to all the
volunteers who have given
their time unconditionally!
Preparations for this school
year began as far back as last
summer. Volunteers from both
Nutmeg and TSOB have attended
meetings, staffed receptions,
delivered mums, hosted events
for students, planned the Sugar
Plum Tea Party, worked behind
the scenes for Nutcracker &
IMPACT performances, donated
baskets, supported the auctions,
driven students to events,
chaperoned trips and more!
And of course thank you to the
staff for providing our children
with exceptional training and
support all year long!
~ Cathy McGregor
Parent Network
POSTCARDS HOME
(from Oslo, March 20, 2105)
Reflected on rain-glistened
paving stones,
lamplights of old Norway
seem to float on their posts
along an allée
lined on either side
with slender bare trees.
Close together, evenly spaced,
the lamps and leafless limbs
watch over my return
to Oslo, saying ~~
Welcome back,
it’s heavy luggage you’re pulling,
but here it is Spring
and more dancers are waiting
for you.~~
A Nordic breeze
makes windows on a distant
hillside
twinkle as pinpoints
and I know
this is another
homecoming.
~ Joan Kunsch ~
GRADUATION
WEEK
Performance Dates & Times
Wednesday, May 13th 7 pm
Thursday, May 14th 7 pm
Friday, May 15th 8 pm
Saturday, May 16th 3 pm
Tickets purchased through the Warner Theater Box Office
Performances are held in the Nutmeg’s Premiere Studio
Graduation
Saturday, May 16 10:30
Nutmeg’s Premiere Studio
Graduation Reception:
Saturday, May 16th 11:15 am
graduates, parents and invited guests
NEWSLETTER / SPRING 2015
STUDENT NEWS
Nick Gray
Student Activities Committee
The 3rd annual winter ball
took place on Sunday March
1, 2015. This year the Nutmeg
Student Activities Committee
and friends dedicated themselves
to making this a spectacular
event. A proposal to the Nutmeg
Parent Network and private
donors gave us a larger budget
than ever before. Planning
committees began weeks in
advance, drawing up task
committees, invitations, seating
charts, and more. The thing
that the ball lacked last year
was a continuous theme, so this
year co-host Jennifer Schwartz
came up with the idea for a red
carpet party. We attempted to
transform the building from
somewhere we go to take
class into a classy ballroom in
1920’s Hollywood. The evening
began with guests getting their
picture taken on the red carpet
and finding their seats in the
premiere. Various members of
the student activities committee
then presented superlative
style awards entitled “Nutmeg
Nutties.” Ava Mayer then
graced us with a performance
on the piano that got a standing
ovation. Alex Lopez made a video
presentation of our dancers to
the tune of Bruno Mars’ “Uptown
Funk.” After the ceremony,
guests made their way down
to the CAP room for dinner.
The Carter/Suhanovsky family,
Lopez family, and the Parent
Network researched various
catering companies and selected
Chatterley’s. We had a wonderful
dinner with nice music,
decorations, and centerpieces
made by Riley McGregor. The
guests then returned to the
premiere for the last event of the
evening, a dance. A song request
form was made available before
the dance so all the music was
student chosen. Overall, I believe
that everyone had a wonderful
time. I had people run across the
room to Jenn and me to hug us
and thank us and the committee
for making this year great.
HEARTFELT NOTE
As a volunteer for The Nutmeg Ballet
Conservatory, I have witnessed the workings of a
truly remarkable organization. The Nutmeg staff
members impart tremendous talent, energetic
passion, care, wisdom and compassion to the
students on a daily basis. I have attended many
Nutmeg performances throughout the years. I have
been deeply touched during these performances
watching the dancers passionately give their hearts
and souls onstage while performing such beautiful
numbers. It is also important to note the parents
of the dancers play an integral part at The Nutmeg.
Many of the parents give their time, energy and
talents by volunteering in various capacities. I am so
grateful and fortunate to be a part of this very special
organization. I look forward to being a part of The
Nutmeg family for many more years to come.
Thank you, Renate Vetter
Photo by Donna Mattiello
Nutmeg academic students recreate a work of art by
Litchfield County artist, Sal Gulino, while visiting Five
Points Gallery. Students greatly enjoyed the interactive
gallery talks and were well-received by Gallery staff.
More collaborations to come!
Congratulations to the
Nutmeg Graduates!
Best of luck on your future endeavors!
~The Parent Network
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