South Valley Dance Arts
Our Performing Arts
From tap , ballet , hip-hop to jazz
BY ROBIN SHEPHERD
If more people danced , the world would be a healthier , happier and more peaceful place . In South County , you can start as a little tike and still enjoy dancing in your twilight years . Our local dance studios and city recreation departments offer it all – ballet , jazz , tap , hiphop , line dancing and folk dance . Studio instructors include professional and semi-professional dancers whose passion for dance inspires .
You and your kids can dance for fun , fitness , or to pursue dreams of fame . Or , enjoy dance as a spectator at performances throughout the year . Many a ballet fan has had that “ aha moment ” when , after seeing a local performance , they vow never again to trek up to San Jose or San Francisco . We ’ ve got the best of dance , right here .
PHOTO BY MEMORIES IN MOTION
South Valley Dance Arts
South Valley Dance Arts ( SVDA ) is a not-for-profit , dance arts collaborative that offers recreational and competitive programs with instruction from beginner to pre-professional levels , taught by professional and semi-professional dancers .
Instructors Juliet Smith and Tyler Spencer stepped in after SVDA founder Paula Valentine retired . Today , Smith and Tyler are joined by a company of other highly accomplished instructors in ballet as well as Ukrainian , musical theater and liturgical dance .
“ Dance movement is another form of language ,” Smith said . “ Our students learn clean and safe techniques , but they also learn to express the artist within ,” Smith said . “ There ’ s hard work and discipline , and a lot of joy in our dance programs .”
Summer camp programs include pre-ballet ( 3 years and up ) with storybook themes . Kids learn basic positions and movements and get the experience of dancing in costume . Ballet dancers begin their study in ballet slippers , and at the appropriate time based on age and skill level , they have the opportunity to advance to toe shoes , which allows them to dance “ en pointe ,” literally on their toes .
Teenager Maddie Guinn studies ballet and modern dance at SVDA . She just received her pointe shoes a milestone in a young ballerina ’ s journey , and she hopes one day to dance as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker ballet .
“ My favorite thing about SVDA is the people . The teachers push you just enough so you can improve . You form friendships with other students , and everyone bands together to pull off a huge performance .”
Participation in the SVDA Junior Company ( pre-pointe ), and Senior Company ( pointe ) is by invitation based on ability . Dancers
“ My favorite thing is the people . The teachers push you just enough so you can improve …”
in the 2014-15 Senior Company have received acceptances to the American Ballet Theater , San Fransisco Ballet , Dance Theater of Harlem , Kirov and Ballet Magnificat . Others have offered scholarships and acceptances to Santa Clara University , Boston University , Fordham and Juilliard .
Along with ballet , SVDA also offers training in musical theater and something unique – Ukrainian folk dance .
Andrey Shevchuk brings his native heritage to the Ukrainian dance program . Born in Eastern Europe , he has performed in Asia and Europe , where he met his wife and fellow SVDA instructor
Erena Ishii .
“ I never even dreamed of coming to America until I was invited to dance as a guest artist in the Nutcracker in 2013 ,” Shevchuk said . “ Erena and I fell in love with Juliet and the students at SVDA . “
Ishii , who grew up in Japan and has danced with Ballet San Jose and the Hungarian National Ballet , agreed . “ I ’ ve taught all over the Bay Area , and Juliet has a real passion for the profession and for bringing the benefit of dance arts to the community . We work together to bring an authentic experience to all of our students , from instruction to performance and all the elements , the costumes , music and lighting , that go into production .”
“ Juliet wanted a Ukrainian folk dance program , and that ’ s when I knew I was meant to be here ,” Shevchuk said . “ Ukrainian dance is very energetic and it takes stamina . Students who want to excel in Ukrainian arts need to practice , practice , and practice .”
Throughout the year , SVDA devotes time to community outreach and has performed at charity and educational events locally .
SVDA will stage its annual performance of the Nutcracker on December 5th and 6th at Gavilan College .
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 gmhtoday . com
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