Performance tickets are $18 for all students and seniors, $25 for adults. For tickets call 716-878-3005, go to www.buffalostate.edu/pac, or visit Rockwell Hall’s Box Office at Buffalo State College (Mon. – Fri. 9AM-5PM and two hours prior to the performance). Please see www.negliaballet.org for more information or call 447-0401

Fellow Argentinean dancer Erica Cornejo will perform with Neglia Ballet Artists Artistic Director and principal dancer Sergio Neglia in Neglia’s acclaimed Spartacus. Cornejo, a veteran principal dancer with the Boston Ballet trained at the Arts Institute of the Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires. At age 14 she won a gold medal at the 2nd International Ballet Competition in Argentina, and was immediately invited to join Julio Boccas’ Ballet Argentino. Cornejo joined American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company in 1998 and later that same year, became a member of ABT’s corps de ballet. She was promoted to soloist in that company in 2002. In 2006, she joined Boston Ballet as a principal dancer, performing principal roles in the company’s classical repertoire as well as creating leading roles with major contemporary choreographers. She has performed as a guest artist with Corella Ballet in Spain and has been honored as a Messenger of Peace by UNESCO. She also received a medal of honor from the U.S. chapter of Institute Belgraniano as one of Argentina’s leading dancers. In 2009 Cornejo was featured on the cover of Pointe Magazine.

Of her appearance with Neglia Ballet Cornejo said, “I had the pleasure to see Sergio Neglia perform in October 2011 at the Teatro Colon when we were dancing in a tribute to his father Jose Neglia and other eight well known dancers who died in a tragic accident. Jose Neglia was one of the greatest Argentinian dancers in the world who left us all an incredible legacy in our ballet history. As an Argentinian Dancer I feel honored to have the opportunity to dance with Sergio. I can’t wait to perform!”

Neglia Ballet Artists will re-stage an excerpt of George Balanchine’s Agon.  Set to the music of Igor Stravinsky. Agon is the Greek word for contest; the movements of the ballet are named after French court dances. Balanchine and Stravinsky designed the structure of the ballet together during the creation of the music. The piece will be staged by Deborah Wingert, a former dancer with the New York City Ballet and official repetiteur of the Balanchine Trust.

The program will also include Executive Director Heidi Halt’s Dohnanyi Serenade; a neoclassical piece for six women in three movements. Unnatural Selection will be performed by Choreographer James Graber and Marybeth Hansohn. Halt says of the piece, “It begins almost in slow motion and builds into a driving intensity that is absolutely mesmerizing.”

Back by popular demand, Lithuanian-born dancers, Vilia Putrius and Mindaugas Bauzys will perform a new piece by Viktor Plotnikov. Plotnikov, who the Providence Journal hails as “among the most innovative and evocative choreographers in the country,” was born in Kharkov City, Ukraine. He is a former principal dancer with the Boston Ballet, and has choreographed works for Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Festival Ballet Providence. Plotnikov’s choreography is known not only for its original movement style and contemporary flair, but also for its much focused use of movement to tell a story and relate strong, passionate emotions. Putrius and Bauzys take the stage again for the crowd-pleasing Don Quixote Pas de Deux. The married couple are principal dancers with the Festival Ballet of Providence. “Vilia and Mindaugas are both incredible artists and dancers. It is always such a pleasure to share the stage with them,” says Neglia.

Neglia Ballet Artists was formed in 1999, giving Buffaloa true professional performing company. Now in its 12^th year, Neglia’s mixed repertoire performances have drawn glowing reviews.  The Buffalo News called the 10^th Anniversary Gala performance “spectacular” and “the finest performance of the decade,” and last year’s performance, “ a jam-packed top to bottom golden evening.” For three consecutive years, the Buffalo Philharmonic has chosen Neglia to perform with its Orchestra at Artpark; the Buffalo News has called Neglia’s performance with the BPO “brilliant.”  In collaboration with the BPO and Shea’s performing Art Center, Neglia Ballet Artists presented its brand new production of The Nutcracker in 2009. With a total of 7,668 people attending, The Nutcracker is the highest attended performance in Neglia’s history. In March 2011, Neglia Ballet Artists presented Romeo and Juliet with the BPO at Shea’s to glowing reviews. This performance marked a milestone for Neglia, the BPO and the community. No other ballet company, local or otherwise has ever produced more than one full length production with the BPO within one year. On May 25^th, 2012 they continue their collaboration with An Evening of Tchaikovsky performing George Balanchine’s Serenade and the 2^nd act of Swan Lake.

WHEN: Saturday, January 28th 3:30-6:30 pm

WHERE: MMAC STUDIOS 248 West 60th St.

BRING: Pointe shoes, Resume, Headshot, Classical Ballet Shot

Professional dancers and trainees needed for an all Tchaikovsky Program with Neglia Ballet Artists in Buffalo, New York at Shea’s Performing Art Center on May 25th, 2012 performed with the internationally acclaimed Buffalo Philharmonic.

Featuring George Balanchine’s Serenade staged by Deborah Wingert and the 2nd act of Swan Lake staged by Mario Galizzi.

Participants must be available for rehearsal period in Buffalo beginning May 6th. Accommodations and performance stipend based on experience.

Be a part of bringing Balanchine to Buffalo, and working with internationally renowned professionals in a nurturing, positive environment. Participants in this production may have future performance opportunities with Neglia Ballet including a South American tour in August 2013.

Audition will consist of warm-up class and learning segments of choreography.

Western New York Area Dancers: please call (716) 447-0401 to make an appontment at our Elmwood Avenue studios in Buffalo, NY.

For more information about the company visit our website at: www.negliaballet.org, email info@negliaballet.org or call 716-447-0401

BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) – Ballet dancer Sergio Neglia has returned to his native homeland of Argentina this month for a six-city performance tour.

It will lead up to a final gala show this fall at the Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires. That’s when Neglia will dance in honor of his late father, Jose Neglia, to mark the 40th anniversary of his father’s tragic death.

WBFO’S Eileen Buckley met with Neglia and his wife, Heidi Halt for a conversation about commemorating his father’s dance legacy.

Neglia Ballet’s Artistic Director, Sergio Neglia, has had a long affiliation with Japan through his work as a guest dancer and ballet master throughout the country. In 2008 Takako Michii, a Neglia Ballet Board Member and the president of the Buffalo Kanazawa Sister City Committee, invited Neglia to Kanazawa as a representative of Neglia Ballet Artists along with representatives of the Buffalo Philharmonic, Albright Knox Art Gallery and City Hall. While there, Neglia met with and taught ballet classes to several dance schools in Kanazawa. The director of the Megumi Ballet School was very taken with Neglia’s style of teaching and thought it would benefit her student’s as well as her own teaching skills to come and study at Neglia Ballet. ”Sensei Neglia is a very passionate Ballet teacher and has an ability to bring out the best qualities of each dancer. In a very short time, I have learned a great deal watching all the Neglia teachers work with my students and the American students. We have been planning this trip for several years and because of the earthquake we almost cancelled our trip. I am so glad that we didn’t!” stated Ms. Megumi.

The students and teachers speak very little English, but language is not much of a barrier. Dr. Michii does some translating, but the dancers do remarkably well. “Dance is a universal language.” says Heidi Halt, the company’s Executive Director and also an instructor. “I love teaching the Japanese dancers because of their great discipline. Although many of our own students are quite disciplined, the Japanese students are very quick to implement corrections. You can tell them something once and it will stick with them, where as our own students will need a lot of reminding. I definitely think the cultural exchange benefits our students as well.  I have enjoyed watching our students interact with the Japanese girls. During their breaks they play card games and Twister and act like the teenagers!”

In addition to their ballet studies, Dr. Michii wanted the students to enjoy some of the other wonderful Buffalo offerings. So far they have been to Niagara Falls, Darien Lake, the Darwin Martin House, the Albright Knox Art Gallery and the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Dr. Michii says “Between the wonderful dance program at Neglia Ballet and all the great cultural assets of Buffalo, I think our Japanese visitors will leave with great fondness of their sister city.”

In September of 1994 Heidi Halt and Sergio Neglia established the Neglia Conservatory of Ballet, to introduce Western New York dance students to a new level of classical training. The Conservatory has been very successful at identifying and developing young ballet talent throughout the region. In 1999 Neglia Ballet Artists was formed, drawing glowing reviews since the company’s founding.  The Buffalo News called the 10th Anniversary Gala performance “spectacular” and the “the finest performance of the decade.”  For three consecutive years, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra chose Neglia to perform with it at Artpark; the Buffalo news described Neglia’s performance with the BPO “Brilliant.”  Neglia Ballet continues their collaboration with the BPO and Shea’s Performing Arts Center. No other ballet company, local or otherwise has ever produced more than one full length production with the BPO within one year.

If simply attending the production leaves one with such pleasant memories, what might it be like actually performing as part of the cast of over 100, including professional dancers from all over the world?

Open auditions for both Baba Yaga and The Nutcracker will take place September 9 and 10 at the Neglia Conservatory of Ballet, 1685 Elmwood Avenue, 3^rd Floor in Buffalo, NY. Dancers and actors ages 7and up are welcome.

Need to Know Information

What: Open Auditions for Baba Yaga and The Nutcracker

When: September 9 & 10, 2011

Where: Neglia Conservatory of Ballet

1685 Elmwood Avenue, Suite 304

Buffalo, NY 14207

For More Information: (716) 447-0401

Audition Registration Form – 2011

Over to 150 children age 7 and up will be selected to fill many children’s roles, including Party Children, Candy Dolls, Mice, Rats, Soldiers, and Angels in The Nutcracker and Mushrooms , Woodland Creatures, Skeletons, Goblins and Crows in Baba Yaga. Auditions are in groups. Audition times are scheduled by dancer age and experience as noted below. The selective audition process takes approximately one and one half hours for each age group. Please plan on staying during the entire time of your groups audition.

Friday September 9th, Boys only

5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, ages 10 and up, no height or experience requirements, Dance or theater experience a plus.

Saturday, September 10th : GIRLS

10:30 am to 12:00 pm, dancers aged 7-9 years old, 4 feet to 4 feet 6 inches tall, at least two years of dance training.

12:30 pm to 2:00 pm, dancers aged 9 to 13 years old, 4 foot 6 inches to 5 feet 4 inches tall, For dancers with at least 3 years of dance training

3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, dancers aged 14 and up, 5 feet 2 and up For dancers with 4 plus years of dance training (Bring pointe shoes if experienced)

GENERAL INFORMATION (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
Girls auditioning for roles should wear a leotard, pink tights and ballet slippers and have hair in a bun. There is a girls changing area.

Boys should be dressed in dark tights, sweatpants or shorts, white t-shirt and black or white ballet slippers. There is a boys changing area.

All dancers must arrive a half hour before their rehearsal call. There is a form to fill out. To save time, you may download this form from www.negliaballet.org , fill it out and bring it with you. Auditions will start promptly at scheduled times.
There is no monetary compensation whatsoever for these roles. All costumes must be returned to Neglia Ballet Artists at the end of the production as when issued.

Parents will not be allowed into the audition area at any time.

Call backs will take place if necessary and we will notify you individually. Please do not telephone for callback information.

The Nutcracker will be performed on Saturday, November 26 at 7pm, 2011 and Sunday November 27, 2011 at 2pm and a shortened (with some, not all children) Baba Yaga will be performed Friday, October 21st at 10:30am and Saturday, October 22nd at 7pm.

The rehearsal period will begin shortly after the auditions. The schedule is subject to change. You must be committed to being at all rehearsals you are scheduled for. As the performance dates get closer, the rehearsals will get more frequent. Generally, they will be weekends and afterschool. Rehearsals will be more frequent as the performance dates draw near. The week of Thanksgiving will have all early evening rehearsals, except Thanksgiving Day will have no rehearsals and the Friday after Thanksgiving, rehearsals will be all day and evening.

Rehearsing for and performing in The Nutcracker is excellent training for untold numbers of young dancers as they pursue their dance education, whether it be a student aiming to be a professional dancer, or a child who enjoys being on stage. For either, the experience is a rich and memorable one.

Neglia Ballet Artists want to make The Nutcracker an annual holiday tradition for many families throughout the greater Buffalo/Niagara region. A new, traditional and lavish sets with colorful costumes is being designed and built for this production. With a cast of over 100, giant mice and toy soldiers, and Tchaikovsky’s memorable score, this colorful production will enchant audiences young and old. The magic of The Nutcracker is an unforgettable part of the holiday season! Those participating in the performance have the unequaled experience of performing on the Shea’s stage.

Classes

Creative Movement:Designed to give 3&4 year olds an enjoyable first experience to dance, focusing on developing movement skills through structure and creativity.

Pre-Ballet:
Introduces young dancers to ballet, emphasizing basic positions and exercises, while allowing time in each class for creativity and expression.

Ballet I:
Continues emphasis on basics while developing coordination, grace & discipline.

Ballet II:
Builds strength in fundamentals and vocabulary and emphasizes correct body placement and alignment.

Ballet III:
Provides a solid basis of training in the traditional classical training for serious students as well as those interested in developing an appreciation for the art.