Rose Academy of Ballet's national dance team has grown from 11 members to 20 members since last semester. The Forest Hills dance studio also added a new junior age group to accommodate their growing numbers. The competition groups are separated by age: The Mini Team (ages 6-8), the Junior Team (ages 9-10), and the Teen Team (ages 11-14). This year's semester began this month and continues through December 2019.
Competition practices are every Monday and Friday for 1 hour and Saturdays for 2 hours. Dance competition team members are required to commit to a full year of dance, as choreography is learned Sept.-Oct., competitions take place between March and May, and the national competition occurs in July. Recreational classes are offered for ages two through adult during the fall and spring semesters.
“We're not like a lot of other competition teams, striving for the trophy,” says Amanda Losco, team captain and main choreographer at Rose Academy of Ballet. “We find enjoyment in sharing our love for the stage with each other and the audience. That's our main focus.”
Losco is excited to work on new solos, duos, and group dances. Dancers can look forward to new jazz routines for all three age groups, a mixed, large tap routine for all ages, and a lyrical dance routine.
The Rose Academy of Ballet's annual performance of The Nutcracker is on Dec. 8. Rose Academy of Ballet dancers ages six and older will be participating.
For more information about the Rose Academy of Ballet and its competition teams, visit the Rose Academy of Ballet website.
Main image credit: Kari Otero.
