| |
Richmond Essex School of the Performing Arts newly established provides dance classes to the Essex, Richmond and surrounding communities. The dance school is headed by Rochelle DeGrasse, and aspiring dancers of all skill levels benefit from Ms. DeGrasse’s extensive teaching experience, which spans more than 37 years and a variety of styles, including character, modern, ballet/pointe and creative movement. In addition to 10 years of instruction in Russian Classical technique, she has undertaken additional studies in anatomy, physiology and kinesiology; earned Wellness Specialist certification from the Kenneth Cooper Clinic in Dallas; and was one of the nation’s first Jazzercise instructors.
Li'l Feet is a performing arts school offering classes in the following dance forms:
Ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and ballroom.
Other classes offered are:
cotillion, drama, art, creative movement for 3 and 4 year olds, a tap/jazz combo class for 5 year olds, pre-hip hop for 9 year olds, adult tap, jazz, hip hop and lyrical classes and senior citizens tap classes. Among other classes we hope to add voice and music lessons next fall.
In October, 2006 the studio opened with 20 students. In June 2007, we closed our fall enrollment with 96 students. Our target population comes from five counties: Richmond, Essex, Northumberland, Lancaster and Westmoreland. The studio has a diverse population of Hispanic, Asian, African American, Native American and Caucasian students.
RichEx, Inc., which was formed in April, 2007, is a not-for-profit sub-corp. of Richmond Essex School of the Performing Arts. RichEx, Inc. provides performing arts scholarships for at-risk youth residing in communities within the Northern Neck. Currently, four boys and girls from the community are on full scholarship through RichEx, Inc. An additional five boys and girls received partial scholarships.
Our long term goal is to form a Northern Neck Dance Repertoire Company. The plans for Northumberland County's new high school include a performing arts center to be completed in 2008 or 2009. At it's completion we hope to use this as our performing venue twice yearly.
|
