Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance Presents Its Annual Spring Concert on Saturday, May 17 & Sunday, May 18 at Ridgefield High School
The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance’s annual Spring Concert is more than a recital—it’s a celebration of collaboration, community, and the artistic voices of tomorrow on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 at Ridgefield High School. This year’s performances will showcase student talent alongside musicians, original choreography, and partnerships that span music, history, and culture.
Live Musical Collaborations
- Ashton Turner, pianist, will accompany the Pre-Ballet dancers with a live performance of works by Bach, Mozart, and Søren Bebe. A student of Berklee Online Music University, Ashton also studies piano with Dr. Dehoyos at Concordia Conservatory and oboe with Marta Boratgis, Assistant Principal Oboist of the New Haven Symphony.
- Guest dancers Marisa Curti, Lauren Datillo, Athan Fischer, and Sebastian Martelle from Western Connecticut State University’s Musical Theatre program will present a new contemporary work, choreographed in collaboration with their instructor Amy Piantaggini. Their piece is set to Mudroom, an original composition by Ryan Hendry, featured in the modern dance work Vitruvius, inspired by da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man.
- Modern dance students will also perform to music by Stahv Danker, composer of Music for Modern Dancers. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Israel, Danker brings a dynamic, contemporary voice shaped by his early studies at The New School’s Jazz and Contemporary Music extension in Tel Aviv.
Community Collaboration with Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center
This year, the Ridgefield Civic Ballet and Junior Dance Ensemble have created original student choreography in collaboration with Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (KTM&HC). These pieces preview their upcoming performance at KTM&HC’s America250 kickoff celebration on July 4, 2025, a town-wide event marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
KTM&HC Executive Director Hildegard Grob says, “We are thrilled to welcome Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance to perform on July 4th. Their artistry expresses the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—a beautiful reflection of what we celebrate as a nation.”
For more information on the America250 celebration, visit ridgefieldct250.org and keelertavernmuseum.org.
In addition to modern and contemporary works, members of the Ridgefield Civic Ballet will perform variations from classical ballets staged by Mary Beth Hansohn. Junior Dance Ensemble will also perform with choreography by David Lichine and staging by Mary Beth Hansohn.
- Eve Aronow – variation from La Bayadère
- Annabel Darst, Victoria Diana, and Lyla Wolf – variation from Le Corsaire
- Junior Dance Ensemble – excerpt from Graduation Ball
- (Marin Almstead, Laila Arias, Sofia Cluney, Lauren Lila, Francesca Prudente, and Ella Caron)
The Spring Concert honors:
- Graduating seniors Nicole Gardner, Ainsley King, and Penelope Suchar
- New National Honor Society for Dance Arts inductee Hadley Hopke
- Eleven dedicated class assistants
- The recipient of the David Livshin / The Dagar Group Ltd. Scholarship Award
Choreography throughout the program features the work of RCD faculty: Janel Fitzgerald, Robyn Gaines, Mary Beth Hansohn, Dona Wiley Kim, Marlon Mayers, Grace Reddy, and Executive Director Amy Piantaggini.
Tickets available at the door, $35/adult $25 child/senior
Come support the dancers of RCD as they bring their creativity, discipline, and passion to the stage. Learn more about RCD https://www.ridgefielddance.org/