Louisville Academy of Dance and River City Ballet

Kristen Wenrick, Director www.LADBALLET.COM

www.RIVERCITYBALLET-KY.ORG

502-425-7454

To the Pointe:

10th Anniversary Edition

Volume V1I

Issue 1

2016-17

Pages 2-3

10th

Anniversary Interview Of

Miss Kristen, By Brooke Jarm

Pages 4-7

Alumni Stories

Pages 8-10

LAD Students

Pages 11

Photo Memories

Page 12

Interview with LAD’s Newest

Faculty

Page 13

Wendy Whelan at LAD

Page 14

Special Events

Page 15

Nutcracker Tea

Page 16

LAD Dancers Share Their Dance

Experiences

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Louisville Academy of Dance first opened its doors in the fall of 2007. Retired professional

dancer, Kristen Wenrick, started this studio with hopes of providing good technical training for

young aspiring dancers. Ten years later, that goal has not changed and students are being

provided the training needed to reach professional companies. Two dancers have been with LAD

for all ten years, Lexi Brown and Stephanie Dolan. Now a part of River City Ballet, the youth

performing ballet company, these dancers are definitely worth recognizing! “I have to say that

the past ten years have had their share of

joys, challenges and hard work. Every

year there is a new class that needs to be

taken through each level and

meticulously taught the many details of

the art from that happen at each stage of

development. The faculty is constantly

fine-tuning this process and is very

satisfied with the level of dancers that

are produced at our school. It is a joy to

see the students develop not only their

technique, but also their appreciation for

the art form. This love, appreciation and

discipline will serve them well in all the

endeavors that they will encounter in

whatever their future brings. It’s a privilege to make a difference in young people’s lives.” I had

the privilege to interview Miss Kristen and this is what she had to say about ten years of LAD!

What was your vision for LAD? Was it a dream of yours to have your own studio? “When I

retired from dancing professionally 14 years ago, I took more interest in teaching. Up until that

time, I never dreamed of owning a dance school. I taught mostly upper levels in various dance

schools and colleges. I started to feel more and more that a lot of what I was doing was

addressing gaps in the students’ training or finessing technique that wasn’t taught correctly to

begin with. I felt that much of what was missing from the students’ training was what would

keep them from having a chance to dance professionally or get a college scholarship for dance

and I was making a difference for them too late in their training. I wanted to make that difference

in the students’ training early on and that didn’t mean just teaching younger students, because

then I would have just a few classes to influence. Instead, I wanted to develop a school and a

curriculum that would be stronger from beginning to end. Much of what influenced my

curriculum took place at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. They have world-class training and

true rock-solid curriculum. I am always learning more (that’s the nice thing about being a

perpetual student - as professional dancers always are) and improving things from year to year.

LAD’s own Brooke Jarm interviews Miss Kristen about her journey, ten years as a

Director of LAD.

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How many people were enrolled in the first year? “The first year we opened the dance critic

gave me a nice article in the paper – he had known me from the years I danced at Louisville

Ballet. That helped get the ball rolling, along with students that I had already been teaching

locally and word of mouth. I think we opened with around 40 students at the start of the first year

(mostly older students), but it more than doubled by the end of that school year. It has never been

my goal to have a big studio. I focus on quality rather than quantity. Obviously, you need some

quantity to pay the bills, but I appreciate having smaller classes so we can do what we do well

and give all the students the attention they deserve.”

How has LAD changed over the years? “I’m noticing that the quality of the dancers is improving

from year to year. At this stage, we’re seeing more and more students that have trained with us

from a younger age.”

What has been/is your favorite part of owning your own studio? “My favorite part of owning a

dance studio and working with students is seeing them grow not only as dancers but also into

young adults.”

Now that it has been ten years, what do you see coming in the next ten years? “We’ve

accomplished so much in our first 10 years. We currently have alumni in professional ballet

companies and colleges with premier dance programs. We have an established non-profit

organization, River City Ballet, whose performances have received attention and are sought after

by other organizations in the community. I am looking forward to the next ten years of growing

and seeing what they bring!”

Not only is Miss Kristen excited for the future of LAD, but also we dancers as we continue a

tradition through her tutelage, striving to perfect the art

of classical ballet!

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Louisville Academy of Dance Alumni Share Fond Memories

“I started taking dance classes at LAD my sophomore year of

high school, and it was one of the best decisions I could have

made for my dance career. I came in not knowing what was

what about ballet, and was often at first very frustrated after

classes because the standard was so high. The teachers, my

colleagues, and the overall atmosphere at LAD made me grow

beyond what I thought I was capable of in classical ballet.

Kristen Wenrick did not let any student just slide through

without working him or her to their greatest potential. I think it

speaks volumes that the faculty can encourage so much

growth in the span of two years. I have fond memories of my

fellow dancers and I hanging out during snack snack breaks,

making frozen yogurt runs, and even attending an occasional

concert together.”

Lilly Payne, Studying at Dominican University of California

LINES BFA (2016)

“I am very thankful for my time at LAD and the foundation it

gave me. Ms. Kristen's teaching and technique, along with the

instruction of other teachers she brought in, have been

extremely influential in making me into the dancer I am today. I

would not be where I am without the personal corrections I

received or the challenging classes. The performance

opportunities at LAD also provided a place for me to grow

artistically and in my love for dancing. I loved being able to

dance excerpts from full length classical ballets, even though

LAD is a small studio. I believe God led me to LAD in order to

develop the strong foundation in ballet technique that I needed

in order to join the Christian company, Ballet Magnificat. After

spending the past two years as a trainee with Ballet Magnificat, I

was promoted to their professional touring company in June as

an apprentice. I am currently touring with them around the US

and internationally performing original ballets and teaching

workshops, while sharing the love and the hope of the gospel of

Jesus Christ.”

Kinsey Jarm, Apprentice with Ballet Magnificat (2016)

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“One of my fondest memories would

have to be buying/ being fit for my first

pair of pointe shoes with Miss Kristen

and taking my first pointe class. So

grateful for all of the teachers at LAD

over the years, for cultivating my love

and creating my foundation for ballet. I

wouldn't have wanted to do it anywhere

else! “

Claire Donovan, Studying Ballet and

Exercise Science at IU (2016)

“I was very fortunate to be able to train at LAD from its

inaugural year until 2011. Learning from so many

exceptional teachers as well as performing with RCB

was instrumental to my growth as a student and was

my first opportunity to get a glance of what being a

professional dancer entailed. I met some amazing

fellow dancers, some of whom I’m still very good

friends with to this day! Having so many of my

teachers at LAD be so encouraging and believe in my

potential gave me an extra boost of confidence to

pursue my passion for ballet as my career.”

Katherine Sawicki, Apprentice with Kansas City Ballet (2016)

6

“LAD taught me so much about hard work and

patience. I've never been as challenged

academically than at Penn, but at the end of the

day, I know that I will be able to succeed

because at LAD, with hard work, I was able to

reach my ballet goals, and that gives me the

confidence to succeed at school. I am a senior

at Penn, graduating in May with my BS in

Engineering in Computer and Information

science and a minor in Engineering

Entrepreneurship. I am still a part of CityStep, a

volunteer group on Penn’s campus that teaches

and mentors elementary and middle school

students in west and south Philadelphia through

dance. I also try to take modern and ballet

classes with Koresh Dance Company

downtown, though it’s hard with school. I hope

to include dance more in my life again after

graduation.”

Elizabeth Walton, University of Pennsylvania

(2016) Photo Left

“WOW, 10 years, Congratulations! I

went to Spain to dance in the IB

Stage summer intensive, and it was a

great experience! I received

instruction from many well known

teachers from around the globe, and

had the opportunity to rehearse like I

was in a company. I was privileged to

share the stage with some of the most

famous superstars of the ballet world,

and was so excited to dance at the

famous Barcelona Opera House,

Gran Teatre del Liceu.”

Lucy Samuel, Rock School (2016)

7

“Currently, I am living in New York City pursuing Broadway and musical theater. I am auditioning and working in the city. I also am currently working as a background actor for a company called "Central Casting" in NYC on shows like Orange is the New Black.” Kathleen Meyer (2016)

River City Ballet 2016-17 members take a dressing room

selfie during School Choice Scholarships, a school outreach.

Just one of the ways that Miss Kristen and her students

share the the art of ballet with the community of Louisville.

8

Louisville Academy of Dance Students 2016-17

ACADEMY E/ F: Left to Right: Madeleine Williams, Lauren Johnson,

Kaleigh Hampton, Rebekah Degan , Brooke Jarm, Grace Daugherty

Not pictured: Haylee Richter

ACADEMY D: Top Left to Right: Lily Wobbe, Ava Johnson, Stephanie Dolan

Bottom Row: Ella Lundquist, Lexi Brown, Carissa Vincent

Not Pictured: Charlotte Wright

9

Louisville Academy of Dance Students 2016-17

Academy C Top Left to Right: Emma King, Amanda Pipes, Alamelu Durham

Bottom Row: Elise Wobbe

Not Pictured: Ella Brown, Macie Labar

Academy B Clockwise from front: Sophia Brown, Macie Labar, Noelia Barnes,

Elizabeth Jent, Sara Padilla, Ryan Nario, Isabela Wilmes

10

Louisville Academy of Dance Students

2016-17

Academy A/BB3 Left to Right: Scarlette Shaughnessy, Stacey

Hu, Emelia Wright, Savannah Wilson, Lexi Hall, Abigail Hughes,

Katie Padilla, Eva Rasigade

RCB PERFORMS WITH THE LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA

On February 11 2017, three River City Ballet dancers

performed an excerpt of the Rite of Spring with the Louisville

Orchestra. While conductor Teddy Abrams and pianist

Sebastian Chang performed a duet on the piano, dancers

Rebekah Degnan, Brooke Jarm and Ava Johnson performed

choreography after the original Nijinsky version.

11

L.A.D.: Was there a specific dancer you looked

up to as a child?

Mike: A guy named Gene Kelly. He was a

musical theater dancer, American. He would just

do these wonderful athletic dance things that I

thought were extraordinary. There was also

Mikhail Baryshnikov, a Russian dancer. He

could do things that nobody else could do.

L.A.D.: When did you start dancing, and what

led you to dance?

Mike: I really started training when I got to

college, though I did a little in high school. The

thing that led me to dance… (laughs) It sounds

so strange to say it: Some roller skating parties

in elementary school. You would go to the rink,

and you’d hear this music, and you’d be zipping

around on the floor, and I was just taken by: You

could dance to music? Move to music?

L.A.D.: What do you think is the best thing about

teaching dance?

Mike: I guess, in short, staying… Alive. There

are those moments when everything sort of

clicks and time sort of melts away, and you just

feel like this is the absolute right place to be.

L.A.D.: What’s something you want your

students to know about you or about teaching?

Mike: I want them to know that I care about their

health and their future, and I also want them to

know that teachers, in general, are utterly

committed to their students.

L.A.D.: What do you think is the best thing about

living on a farm?

Mike: There’s a lot of freedom, and there’s way

too much work.

L.A.D.: When did you start writing lyrics?

Mike: I’d gotten out of college with my

undergraduate degree, I was in my early

twenties, and I was teaching at this place

downtown called YPAS, Youth Performing Arts

High School. I was working with a musical

theater group and started thinking that I’d like to

do something with writing.

L.A.D.: How do you get ideas for writing?

Mike: I get my ideas lying in bed in the morning.

They just sort of come, after a night of dreaming.

L.A.D.: How do you think dance and words are

related?

Mike: Thant’s a nice question. Words can be

related to dance because words can have

rhythm and rhyme, dance defiantly has rhythm.

An interview with LAD’s

newest faculty

Mr. Mike Eger

By: Ava Johnson

12

Master Class with Wendy Whelen-Fall 2016 Ms. Whelen, former Principal dancer with New York City Ballet, taught a wonderful master class to

the students of Louisville Academy of Dance this fall. The students were excited to receive correction

and insight from Ms. Whelen. It is not everyday that the bourré, plié, and tendu’s are taught from a

world renowned ballerina, but one that hails from their hometown of Louisville! The dancers thank

Ms. Kristen and those that helped to make the extraordinary experience happen. It is surely an

experience that our young ladies will not soon forget.

“As a child, I wanted to grow up to be an artist or an athlete. It was only later that I realized dance is

both of those things combined.” Wendy Whelen

LAD providing another outstanding opportunity for the young dancers!

13

Special

Events

at LAD:

Fall

Festival

Parents

Night Out

Dancing

Cookie

Decorating

Costumes

and

FUN!

GLOW STICK FUN!

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2015

2016

2015

2015

The Nutcracker Tea

2016

15

How Long have

you been dancing?

What is your

favorite part of

class?

What is the most

challenging part of

class?

Why do you love to

perform?

Haylee Richter 13 Years Grand Allegro Remembering every

correction!

I receive energy from

performing that I love.

Kaleigh Hampton 9 Years Petit and Grand

Allegro

Concentrating on

many steps at once

Being able to show my

growth.

Lauren Johnson 10 Years Traveling across the

room

Focusing 100% in

order to improve

I love the story that I

am playing

Amanda Pipes 6 Years Combinations in center Pointe work Showing what I have

learned on stage

Lexi Brown 10 Years Grand Allegro Maintaining a 90 in

adage

Sharing the excitement

with family at the end

of the performance.

Stephanie Dolan 10 Years Pirouettes Tendu

I love the nervous

energy between the

dancers.

Grace Daugherty 10 Years Grand Allegro Keeping tendu in

center

I love the backstage

energy.

Ava Johnson 7 Years Pirouettes Keeping epaulement in

class

I love the sense of

accomplishment.

Elise Wobbe 7 Years

Practicing for YAGP

performance of

Bluebird

Toes cramping during

pointe

Learning the role and

the wonderful

costumes.

Emma King 3 Years Turning and floor work Adage The music and energy

of performing.

Brooke Jarm 9 Years Waltz/Pirouette Holding turnout and

staying flexible

Becoming a character

and telling that story.

Madeleine Williams 13 Years Turning combinations Epaulement

The excitement of

performing after

rehearsing so

intensively.

Ella Lundquist 8 Years Grand Allegro Petit Allegro EVERYTHING!

Alamelu Durham 4 Years I love it all! Getting a deep enough

stretch Being on stage.

Carissa Vincent 9 Years Adage Pirouettes

The rush of getting

ready and the

quickness the event

happens.

Lily Wobbe 10 years Grand Allegro Pirouettes

Getting the behind the

scene look at the

whole performance

Rebekah Degnan 11 Years Barre Petit Allegro and very

fast work

I love to express my

feelings though dance.