Home » Performing Arts Articles » Five San Marcos Dance Students from San Elijo Dance and Music Academy are Accepted to the Exclusive School of American Ballet (SAB) Summer Intensive Program
Five San Marcos Dance Students from San Elijo Dance and Music Academy are Accepted to the Exclusive School of American Ballet (SAB) Summer Intensive Program
Only 200 students between the ages of 12 and 18 are accepted to the SAB program world-wide, and five are from the San Marcos area!
SAN DIEGO, CA, February 26, 2011 /Performing Arts PR News/ -- Five North County students, one young gentleman and four young ladies all the age of 13 and 14, have been accepted to The School of American Ballet, the official training academy of the New York City Ballet's 2011 Summer Program.
All five students are a part of a cohesive, pre-professional conservatory ballet program at San Elijo Dance and Music Academy (SEDMA) in San Marcos. The accelerated classes offer students advanced instruction by a staff of professional dancers and a curriculum focused on perfecting technique and developing artistry, while providing several performance opportunities.
Lauri-Michelle Houk, co-director of San Eljio Dance and Music Academy, joyfully proclaims, "We are thrilled to have five of our students be accepted to such a prestigious summer program. SAB is the most exclusive and elusive ballet program in the world. The School of American Ballet has long been recognized for its achievements in forging a dynamic classical ballet tradition in the United States and is one of the world's central institutions of ballet teaching." Ben Houk, co-director of the Academy continues, "Everyone has heard of the legendary choreographer George Balanchine, the co-founder of SAB. The school produced a 'who's who' of American dance. We are so proud of our students who have been training for an opportunity like this."
About the Students
Meghan Lalor is a freshman at High Tech High North County. She has been studying ballet and dance with San Elijo Dance & Music Academy since 2009. This past summer Meghan was selected and attended Pacific Northwest Ballet's Summer Intensive Program in Seattle. Prior to dedicating herself to ballet and dance, she was a competitive Rhythmic Gymnast where she was ranked as high as 8th in the country and also competed internationally in Belgium and Bulgaria.
Katherine Houk is an 8th grader at the Rhoades School and has been dancing since she was 4 years old. Last summer Katherine attended the Pacific Northwest Ballet on full scholarship and this summer she is so excited to be attending the School of American Ballet in New York City. Katherine loves Musical Theater too and has been seen in several productions around San Diego, most recently as Cinderella in Disney's Cinderella Jr. Last May Katherine represented the Rhoades School in the California State Science and Engineering Fair and won 2nd Place in the Junior Zoology Division for her study on Owl Limpets. In her free time Katherine loves spending time with her dog Sadie, the infamous dancing Saint Bernard.
Noel Jensen, who is homeschooled, began dancing when he was six years old, and for the three years has been training with San Elijo Dance & Music Academy. This past summer, he also attended a summer program with the Rock School in Philadelphia on a scholarship. Noel is a competitive gymnast, which gives him even more versatility as a dancer.
Taylor Joy Tauss is a 9th grade honor student at San Marcos High and currently a member of the Varsity Dance team, Key Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In 2010 Taylor performed with SEDMA's Award-winning competitive dance team, awarded a yearlong scholarship with Tremaine Dance conventions, attended the Los Angeles Ballet summer intensive program, and is enrolled with SEDMA Ballet Conservatory. She is extremely passionate with everything she does and her determination is immeasurable.
Caitlyn Gallison is 13 years old and an honor student at Oak Crest Middle School. She spends every possible moment dancing and her goal is to be a Balanchine ballerina for a major company. Caitlyn started dancing ballet when she was 3 years old and added tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop as she got older. She has developed her passion for ballet while training at San Elijo Dance & Music Academy's Conservatory program giving her the opportunity to train intensely and perform often. Last summer Caitlyn trained at Los Angeles Ballet and this summer she is looking forward to training at The School of American Ballet in New York. She hasn't missed a Nutcracker since she started at age 5 and this past year was able to dance her favorite role of Chinese Lead. Her other roles have included Merliton, Snowflake, Flowers and Large Swans.
Recently, a new student, Maddie Davis, a homeschooled 7th grader, joined SEDMA Conservatory program after being accepted to SAB summer program. She left her previous studio and is now training at SEDMA because the Balanchine style SEDMA teaches their students.
Not to be overlooked, Lauren Sutphin, age 10, 5th grader will be attending the new SAB Young Dancer program in Los Angeles this summer.
About School of American Ballet
The School of American Ballet, the official training academy of the New York City Ballet, was established in 1934 by legendary choreographer George Balanchine and philanthropist Lincoln Kirstein as the first and most essential step in their quest to create an American classical ballet company.
SAB, located at New York City's Lincoln Center, is today the premier ballet academy in the United States, training more students who go on to become professional dancers than any other school. SAB's former students fill the ranks of the New York City Ballet and other leading U.S. and international ballet companies.
SAB Summer Course provides up to 200 students selected from a nationwide pool of applicants with the opportunity to train at SAB for five weeks starting in early July. Summer students, aged 12 to 18, enjoy exposure to the School's renowned faculty and the unparalleled cultural offerings of New York City. A select few are invited to continue their training in SAB's Winter Term.
About San Elijo Dance & Music Academy
San Elijo Dance & Music Academy inspires, encourages and develops dancers and musicians of all ages, offering a wide variety of dance and music class options such as jazz, tap, hip-hop, Pilates, as well as private music classes for all instruments, including voice. Former students of San Elijo Dance & Music Academy have gone on to great success at some of the most prestigious companies, universities, and schools in the nation. Before co-directing their own academy, Directors Lauri-Michelle and Ben Houk were professional dancers and master instructors. They have trained at, danced for, choreographed and directed some of the most well-known dance companies domestically and abroad. The Houk's experience, in addition to the master instructors that teach at the academy make San Elijo Dance & Music Academy one of the best performing arts schools in San Diego County. For more information, visit http://www.SanElijoDanceandMusicAcademy.com.
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Press Release Contact Information:
Dawn Saunders
San Eljio Dance & Music Academy
Director of Marketing
1635 S. Rancho Santa /Fe Rd #203
San Marcos, CA
USA 92078
Voice: 760-410-1999
Fax: 760-410-1998
Website: Visit Our Website |
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