Photo Source: NYC Dance Alliance
“We expand the knowledge of dance for these young dancers,” said NYCDA Executive Director Joe Lanteri. “They are limited to what there local resources might be. Our goal is to make sure they realize there is a bigger understanding of what the dance community has to offer them.”
This year, workshops and classes will be led by “Smash” choreographer Josh Bergasse; “Dancing With The Stars’ ” Tony Dovolani; casting director Nora Brennan, who is casting the upcoming Broadway production of “Matilda;” and the Tony-winning choreographer of “Newsies,” Christopher Gattelli.
“These kind of workshops always excite me because, one, to see all of the talent that’s out there and to see the kids as dedicated as they are,” Gattelli says. “This next generation of talent is blowing my mind!”
Gattelli is one of the many talented alumni to come from the program.
“When I met Joe he gave me a scholarship to his class,” he remembers. “For years, he would just let me take his class and be so supportive of me. Now to be able to go to his convention as a Tony Award winner, I can be able give back what I learned and things I discovered through this transition of going from dancer to choreographer.”
Throughout the week, participants will attend a variety of workshops and auditions where they will learn dance combinations from “Newsies,” “Matilda,” “Smash,” and other shows. Students will also rehearse for the Junior Gala, which will feature teenage dancers, and the Closing Night Gala, with special Broadway guests.
The event will also host competitions that can lead to students winning scholarships to study dance in college. Last year, a total of $2.8 million in scholarships were given out. Schools such as Marymount Manhattan, The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Mercyhurst University in Eerie, Pa., and Dean College in Franklin, Ma. will be participating in the scholarship giveaway this year.
In addition to professional opportunities, participants also make personal connections at the event.
“I can’t even tell you the amount of times how many Dance Alliance kids have met at the national event and gone on to be college roommates,” Lanteri says. “They’re creating these lifetime friendships [and] meeting the young professionals that are going to help guide their lives.”
Ultimately, the National Dance Finale aspires to nurture, educate, and encourage young dancers at the event, and casting director Brennan hopes to make Broadway dreams come true.
“The kids start out so innocent and natural and they’re just kids,” she says. “To see how their life changes throughout this whole process is really something.”
For more information about workshops, classes and performances check out www.nycdance.com.
