New Jersey Dance Theatre Guild and Ensemble, Inc.
Company Background
Celebrating its 39th anniversary season the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble continues its commitment to pursue the standards of excellence that make it one of America's unique, exciting, and entertaining young dance companies. The Company was founded in 1964 as the Dance Department of the National Federation of Music Clubs under Artistic Director Alfredo Corvino. Later known as the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ballet Company, the company reorganized in 1994 as the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, Inc. and is in residence at Drew University in Madison, NJ. Successful in its attempts to bridge cultural gaps, the NJDTE traveled with 40 Ensemble dancers to Russia in 1992 in a cultural exchange program.
The Ensemble has realized its vision of enhancing the technical level and the standards of dance for aspiring young performers with its excellence in dance education. The Ensemble's Summer Intensive Program, in residence at Drew University, gives students the opportunity to reach beyond the classical tradition. The program concentrates on strengthening the students' classical technique, while exposing them to a diversity of contemporary, traditional, and modern techniques. Classes in Pilates, dance history and nutrition are also part of the curriculum. The guest faculty is comprised of prominent dancers and teachers from leading companies, including Joffrey Ballet, Paris Opera, Martha Graham, Nacho Duato, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Elisa Monte, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and Ballet Hispanico, among others. This accomplished guest faculty offers the students the opportunity to learn classic repertory works at a professional training level.
Since 1994, Artistic Director, Nancy Turano has created new opportunities for the Ensemble, producing well-trained dancers who have gained recognition throughout the Metropolitan area and have been accepted in prominent schools including the National Ballet of Canada, ABT, SAB, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet and top universities in the U.S. for dance. In the summer of 1999, six Ensemble dancers were selected to perform in the Kirov Ballet's production of "Sleeping Beauty" at the Metropolitan Opera House. Others have served as demonstrators for the directors of the prestigious Paris Opera School and the Royal Danish Ballet. A most recent alumna was chosen to perform with the ABT Studio Company. As the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble upholds its tradition of providing superior training and performance opportunities for its dancers, NJDTE alumnae continue to pursue their careers in dance in major companies and universities throughout the United States.
The Ensemble annually presents the classic production of "The Nutcracker" with a cast that includes 75 dancers and 12 guest artists. Additionally, the Ensemble has presented winter and spring performances for the East Brunswick Education Foundation and throughout New Jersey as well as at the 92nd St. Y in NYC. The Ensemble continues to offer lecture demonstrations for children, including the classic "Peter and the Wolf" and diverse repertory by choreographers Robert Battle, David Brown, Robert Garland, Stephen Pier, Eduardo Vilaro and Nancy Turano. The NJDTE presented a collaborative performance with Opera at Florham and Summit Chorale with a critically acclaimed production of "Carmina Burana" choreographed by Ms. Turano. The Ensemble is rising to new heights each season, as as the Star Ledger quotes Artistic Director, Nancy Turano, "This is only the beginning."
For additional information regarding guest performances for organizations, cultural arts or schools, please logon to www.njdte.org
The NJDTE, Inc. does not discriminate in its employment or administration of its programs on the basis of race, color, nationality or ethnic background or religion. NJDTE is a not-for-profit organization.
Email Miss Mary at: Miss Carol's School of Dance