Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance gears up for fall programs & hosts Open House on August 25

Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance (RCD), Northern Fairfield County’s only nonprofit dance school, kicks off its Fall season with some exciting new additions.  Invited to join their outstanding faculty are Kelly Gleason (Tap) and Anthony Auguste (Hip Hop). 

As with many RCD alumni, Kelly has already gone on to enjoy a successful professional career. Kelly graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pace University with a B.S. in commercial dance and psychology. Most recently, she has been seen on the national tour of 42nd Street. Kelly has performed with the New Bedford Festival Theatre, Ocean Professional Theatre Company, and the Carnegie Hall Exchange.

RCD recognizes the influences Hip Hop culture brings to today’s dance world, and how it can enrich the school’s conservatory setting. “Anthony’s cutting-edge style is in keeping with the high standards and rigor we value, and he joins us after rave reviews from students and their parents," explains Artistic Director,  Amy Piantaggini.  From Brooklyn, Anthony studied at the High School of Art and Design and the Art Institute of New York.

A brand new opportunity this year is the Music and Dance Ensemble.  M&DE offers an opportunity for dancers in Ballet Level III who are interested in collaborating with student musicians in the Ridgefield Public Schools. This ensemble will focus on classical and contemporary ballet choreography which will then be set to live music led by Cello Instructor Marcia Wiley. Inspired by their own New York City based music and dance company, CelloPointe, mother and daughter duo Marcia and Dona Wiley offer additional performance opportunities in studio and as community outreach.

Long-time traditions and favorite programs continue this year, including the beloved annual Nutcracker held at Ridgefield Playhouse, and Artistic Director Amy Piantaggini will continue to collaborate with community partners like SPHERE of Connecticut and Danbury Dance Initiative’s Khalda Logan Benefit Scholarship through Connecticut Ballet.  Performing ensemble students will be afforded enriching performing opportunities with the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ann’s Place’s Festival of Trees for cancer support services, and the Somers Holocaust Memorial Commission, and as a chapter sponsor for National Honor Society for Dance Arts, in alignment with RCD’s holistic approach to the study of dance.

Fall semester begins Tuesday September 5^th.  Register for classes age 2 – adult at ridgefielddance.org. Nutcracker auditions are Saturday September 9^th. 

Interested in RCD’s programs? Visit RCD’s open house on Friday August 25 from 5-8 pm, in conjunction with Ridgefield Guild of Artists’ Art Walk, where RCD will host works by artists Tina Phillips and Kris Davenport Toohey.