Page 2 November 29, 2012 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance Holiday Shows – Performing In and Around Town By TerriAnn Ferren at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. “I just think this Every year as Christmas approaches, is going to be one of our best shows ever. dance and drama students everywhere begin There is going to be special effects in this rehearsing for their holiday shows. This means show that probably people have never seen with all the many performances coming to before in the adaptation of Charles Dickens’ town and around the area, there is no lack The Christmas Story,” said Linda Dryer, one of holiday entertainment. During December, of the Board of Directors of the South Bay a beautiful rendition of The Nutcracker will Conservatory. For more information, access be performed by The Metropolitan Ballet www.southbayconservatory.com. Company at the James Armstrong Theatre But it isn’t only during this special season in Torrance on Saturday, December 22 at that youngsters excel in dance and drama. 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 23 at 2 p.m. Children who participate in the arts have a Some people feel that this special ballet helps special joy they exude when they perform make the holiday season perfect, and it just and that talent was displayed recently and isn’t the same without seeing The Nutcracker. garnered top prizes for students in the South For more information, call the box office at Bay. Vanya Katronov teaches dance not only 310-781-7171 or access www.dancewest. at the Peninsula School but also in downtown org. And the highly acclaimed 13th annual Torrance at Utopia Studios Boogie Zone performance of The Snow Queen (a ballet on Carson Street. Her students took top loosely based on a Hans Christian Andersen honors in Hip Hop, ages five to eight, Jazz tale) is fast becoming a holiday tradition as Ballerinas, ages four to seven, Junior Hip well. The Snow Queen will be performed by Hop Team, ages eight to 12, and Jazz Team, the California Contemporary Ballet Company ages 12 – 17. They qualified for the regionals located in La Canada Flintridge. For more in February and won first place in a national information, access www.snowqueenballet. dance competition held by Showstopper at com. And the renowned classic Scrooge! The the Disneyland Hotel. Musical: A Christmas Carol is coming to the A special event is coming up for Vanya’s James Armstrong Theatre on Friday, November students on March 6, 2013. They will be 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 1 performing at Staples Center during a Clippers Mini Jazz Team age 4 to 6 years old. Photo courtesy of V K Dance Company. National Champions - Hip Hop Team age 5 to 8 year olds. Photo courtesy of V K Dance Company. game. Can you imagine how exciting that will Not only are the students wonderful dancers, be for young performers? “My students are but they are excelling in their studies. “I was so looking forward to this,” beamed Vanya. “I class valedictorian when I graduated last year have already started working on the routine. from eighth grade,” Rachel told me after It will be a six-minute show, so I have three a bit of urging. groups performing little pieces, and at the end I then watched these talented young adults I will have all dancers on the court doing the warm up and stretch, and then they performed same routine. I am really, really, excited!” I a routine for me that they used for an audition asked her where the students come from and just this past weekend. They were confident, she said she will draw them from everywhere powerful and full of joy. and everyone is welcome to audition. Wow! I remember when I was in the high school What an experience for young men and glee club and one Christmas we performed women to perform in front of an audience of Handel’s Messiah. As I recall, I was a soprano over 19,000 people! I asked Vanya if anyone and had to try to hit those really, really can join in and she said yes--all they have high notes. Working with a group toward to do is call her and audition. Call Vanya at a common goal was fun for me and when 424-903-9568, send an e-mail to her at info@ we put on our long white robes and lined vkdancecompany.com, or access the website at up to sing the finale at the Christmas Choral www.vkdancecompany.com and get involved! Concert, it was exciting. I remember how it Later, I took a trip to the studio to speak felt to have worked hard on something and with some of the students and asked them to achieve the desired result--a great show. how long they have been taking dance class. Youngsters and young adults everywhere Most of them have been dancing for about I am sure will feel that same sense of five years. Lydia Nitzschner, age eight, Shane accomplishment as they perform their holiday Brown, age nine, Jessica Brunnenmeyer, age shows and performances. The holiday season 12, Rachel Lobo, age 14, and Megan Marentes, is here and I encourage everyone to check age 11, were thrilled about winning nationals out the local theatres and dance studios for and determined to defend their titles. I then their upcoming productions. Not only will asked the group what their favorite kind of you be supporting the young people of our dance is and they all told me, “Hip Hop.” Who community, but you will be surprised how knew? “It is expressive,” said Jessica. Vanya very talented our young people are and how added, “It is free-spirited for them.” Megan generous and dedicated they are with their added, “It helps when you are stressed out.” time to put on a show. Let’s support them! •
Torrance 11_29_12
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