Dancing Their Way

Into The Summer

By Shannon Hicks

Students of Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet offered two free public performances last weekend in the parish hall of St Rose Church. Both performances offered proof positive that artistic director Jennifer Anne Johnston was indeed the right person to follow in the footsteps of Marsha Ismailoff Mark, Miss Johnston’s former teacher and the retired director of Newtown’s only ballet studio from 1969 to July of last year. Miss Johnston, who eventually moved into the role of assistant to Ms Mark, seems quite comfortable in the role of Newtown’s lead ballet teacher and her students show the grace, poise, and determination that students under Ms Mark presented for more than three decades.

The performances on June 15 and 16 were both a public display of what the dancers have been working on this year and a culmination of their dance studies for the time being. The spring performance –– the first such performance for the Sandy Hook-based school –– marked the end of the school year and beginning of summer break for dancers and instructors alike.

The shows also marked a passing of the barre from Miss Johnston, who for years has danced the role of Teacher in the enjoyable piece “Etudes,” to Angela Lam, a gorgeous and gifted dancer in her own right who seemed comfortable taking over the role.

The recitals offered performances by the school’s students of all levels. “Butterfly Friends” opened the program with a performance by 3- and 4-year olds from the school’s Creative Movement program, coordinated by Alesandra Fischetti.

Next was “Etudes,” which featured at different moments the intermediate, advanced, preballet, and then beginning dancers on the floor. Dancers of various levels were also featured in “Variations” and “Les Sylphides.”

Also given time on the stage last weekend were the dancers of Malenkee Ballet Repertoire Company, a small touring company based out of the studio. Dancers offered their own variations for the performance, and had selected their own music, choreography, and costumes.

Malenkee dancers are currently Jenn Agius, Mercedes Ball, Kelsey Cantore, Christine Collins, Patricia Culligan, Angela Lam, Nikia McFadden, Elizabeth Naphen, Jennifer Tichon, and Katie Winkler, all of Newtown; Teresa Taylor of Sandy Hook; Sasha Geerken of Bethel; Tory Senete of Brookfield; and Meagan Brooks of New Fairfield.