Around the Globe
  

Some of our Featured Artists:

 

 

 

Local

 

Emily Olson

Bozeman, MT







Emily Olson is a 15 year old who attends Bozeman High School.  She has been dancing for ten years.   She has performed in numerous productions and has soloed as Michael in "Peter Pan" and as Prayer in "Copellia."

Emily has also attended summer intensives offered in Bozeman.  Last summer, she spent a month at the summer intensive in Denver with the Colorado Ballet. 


At the 2007 Fairy Tea for the Arts, Emily received the top award, the $1,000 Scholarship given by Youth Arts in Action to the most promising student studying classical ballet in Bozeman, for Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts summer program.

    

Natalia Nelson

Bozeman, MT



Natalia Nelson is a 12 year old dancer who loves classical ballet and playing the harp.  She has attended a summer intensive at Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City and was awarded Youth Arts in Action's Judith Younger Hertzens Memorial Scholarship Award at the 2007 Fairy Tea for the Arts, to support her classical ballet training.

Madison Marlow

Bozeman, MT

 
Madison Marlow received the Rising Star Award at Youth Arts in Action's First Annual Fairy Tea for the Arts in April 2006. This award is for the young dancer who demonstrates the grace, stage presence and potential to pursue a more serious study of classical ballet.  Madison was awarded Youth Arts in Action's
Judith Younger Hertzens Memorial Scholarship Award at the 2007 Fairy Tea for the Arts.

Malia Ludin

Bozeman, MT






Malia is 14 years old and began dancing at the age of four.  She started her studies in ballet at the age of six.  In addition to dance, which is her first love, Malia also enjoys playing the flute and designing clothes.

Malia was awarded Youth Arts in Action's Rising Star Award at the 2007 Fairy Tea for the Arts.

Nancy Rich

Bozeman, MT



She studies all forms of dance, including ballet, jazz and lyrical. 
Youth Arts in Action featured Nancy on the 2007 Fairy Tea for the Arts poster.   Nancy was mentored by Nadia Khan for the part of The Sylph in La Sylphide performed at the 2007 Fairy Tea for the Arts.  Nancy was the recipient of Youth Arts in Action's Outstanding Young Artist Award 2007, for outstanding artistry in classical ballet.

Veronika Shchepetkina

Bozeman, MT

Veronika Shchepetkina  was awarded the Aspiring Artist Award at the 2007 Fairy Tea for the Arts, to support classical ballet training.

Meghan Krause

Bozeman, MT

Meghan Krause was crowned the Fairy Queen at the
2007 Fairy Tea for the Arts.

Jessica Lee

Bozeman, MT

Jessica Lee was crowned the Fairy Queen at the
2008 Fairy Tea for the Arts.

Avery Ballotta

Bozeman, MT

Avery Ballotta has been playing violin for 6 years.  He also plays mandolin and guitar and teaches violin lessons.  He was a finalist and received a scholarship in Youth Arts in Action's
Outstanding Young Artist Award, chosen from those who applied to be on the "From the Top" radio show that was recorded in Bozeman on October 4, 2007.     In addition to his music, Avery is a level 8 gymnast and plans to finish high school early and get his MBA by distance learning college courses and also pursue a music technology degree.   

James Schlender

Bozeman, MT

James Schlender is a very talented 13 year old fiddler who has won many local and national fiddler contests, even against adult compeitors.  He was a finalist and received a scholarship in Youth Arts in Action's Outstanding Young Artist Award, chosen from those who applied to be on the "From the Top" radio show that was recorded in Bozeman on October 4, 2007.    James has won fiddling contests in Montana, Washington and Texas.  He was the first young non-Texan to take first place in a recent Texas fiddling contest.  James also plays the violin, guitar, and mandolin. 

Jesse MacDonald

Bozeman, MT

Jesse MacDonald is an accomplished 15 year old violinist.  He was a finalist and received a scholarship in Youth Arts in Action's Outstanding Young Artist Award, chosen from those who applied to be on the "From the Top" radio show that was recorded in Bozeman on October 4, 2007.    Jesse was the winner of the Umpqua Young Artists competition in Oregon , gold medalist in the Musikfest Northwest concerto competition, and winner in the Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras Young Artist Concerto Competition. Jesse, a local favorite who attends Bozeman High School , has also shared his talented gifts with the Bozeman Symphony. 

Molly Huempfner

Bozeman, MT

Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, sixteen year old Molly Huempfner has studied both classical ballet and tap.  She has participated in numerous local ballet productions.  Molly was the first recipient of Youth Arts in Action's  $1,000 award. 

Molly is currently studying ballet at Pacific Northwest Ballet School in Seattle, Washington. 

Kaci Westlake

Bozeman, MT

Kaci Westlake, 17, is a senior at Bozeman High, and has been dancing for 11 years. She has won many awards including a national championship solo dancer award and scholarship in St. Louis, Missouri, and regional awards at competitions in lyrical dance, jazz and acrobatic dancing. 

Kaci recently won Youth Arts in Action’s Ballet 101 Award for her presentation of The Role of Mime in Classical Ballet.  Kaci has attended summer intensive dance programs in California at Retters' Academy of Dance and The Edge Performing Arts Center.


BACKGROUND
Twelve years of experiences in a variety of dance styles: ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, acrobatic, tap, and hip hop.  Enthusiastic, motivation, excellent assistant-teacher/private teacher. Five years experience as a solo and group choreographer. Eleven years of team and solo competitive dancing.

DANCE EDUCATION
  • 2006-2008 Student Main Street Dance Theatre/Montana Ballet Company; pre-pro ballet/pointe, pre-pro tap (BOZEMAN, MONTANA)

  • 2007-2008 Student at Breaking Pointe Dance Academy; advanced jazz, advarced lyrical advanced breaking, advanced popping/locking (BOZEMAN, MONTANA)

  • 2004 - 2007 Full scholarship recipient Boise DanceFest Summer Intensive: ballet,  pointe, rnodem, jazz (BOISE, IDAHO)

  • 2008 Youth Arts In Action Scholarship recipient Sallyann Mulcahy Pre-Professional Ballet Intensive; ballet, pointe (BOZEMAN, MONTANA)

  • 2005-2007 Inspirations Surrrmer Dance Intensive; ballet, pointe, jazz,lyica\ acrobatics, hip hop (BOZEMAN, MONTANA)

  • 2006 Retters'Academy of Dance Summer Intensive; jazz,hip hop (AGOURA HILIS, CALIFORNIA)

  • 1997-2006 Student at One Step Ahead Dance Studio; ballet, lyrical jazz, acrobatics,hip hop, rnodem (BOZEMAN, MONTANA)

HONORS & AWARDS

  • 2007 NationalWinner; I Love Dance Sweethearot of the Year (ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI)

  • 2007 Regional Choreography Tile; Spotlight Dance Cup (BILLINGS, MONTANA)

  • 2004 - 2007 Regional High Point Award; Intemational Dance Challenge (COEUR D'AIENE, IDAHO)

  • 2004 - 2007 Regional High Point Award; I Love Dance Intemational (BILLINGS, MONTANA)

  • 2005-2007 Regional High Point Award; Spotlight Dance Cup (BILLING, MONTANA)

  • 2006 Regional Choreography Title; International Dance Challenge (COEUR D'AIENE, IDAHO)

  • 2005 Regional ChoreographyTitle;  Spotlight Dance Cup (BILLINGS, MONTANA)

  • 2007 Lead Dancer: Nutcracker Ballet (BOZEMAN, MONTANA)

  • 2007 Scholarship Recipient "Ballet 101"; Youth Arts In Action (BOZEMAN, MONTANA)

  • 2006 Grand Prize Winner; Hawks Night Live (BOZEMAN, MONTANA)

Megan Makeever

Bozeman, MT

Megan Makeever is a senior at Bozeman High School, and performs in the band, orchestra, and choir. She recently performed in Youth Arts in Action's "It's a Wonderful Christmas!".  She plays flute, guitar, piano, and sings. Her biggest passion is songwriting and she has just released her first CD called “Movin' On,” with ten original songs for guitar, piano, and voice. Megan's dream is to one day become a recording artist.

National

Barry Molina

New York City, NY





Congratulations Barry!


Montana-born 16 year old, Barry Molina, has been chosen directly by former New York City principal dancer, Mr. Jock Soto (second and third photos below), to attend the School of American Ballet in New York City on full scholarship for the 2007/2008 school year. 

Barry has been dancing since he was six years old.  He has been on scholarship for two years in a row to American Ballet Theatre's Summer Intensive.

Laura Kehoe

Boulder, CO
 

Laura Kehoe trained at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and now studies opera and sings in an ensemble at the University of Colorado.  She recently appeared in the University’s production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” and in Youth Arts in Action's "It's a Wonderful Christmas!" shows.

 

Jennifer Florquin

New York City, NY







RE: Jennifer Florquin

To Whom It May Concern:

Jennifer Florquin is a very gifted young dancer. For her outstanding talent, ability and promise, she was invited to train at The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre, where she participates in approximately twelve hours of technique, pointe and character training per week in the Junior Division.

When she is not training, Ms. Florquin generously donates her time as a teaching assistant in American Ballet Theatre’s many outreach programs and workshops. Ms. Florquin is a very hard-working student with wonderful attendance. She has been a delight to have in class and has improved greatly since the start of the program. For her diligent study and potential, I would highly recommend Ms. Florquin for your sponsorship. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Franco De Vita
Principal
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre

Julian MacKay

Bozeman, MT









Julian MacKay is a 11 year old dancer from Bozeman.  He was awarded a scholarship to attend American Ballet Theatre's Summer Dance Intensive in New York City.  ABT featured Julian in their ads running in the internationally distributed  Pointe Magazine and Dance Magazine.  ABT is currently featuring  Julian in their National Training Curiculum brochure.

In the Fall of 2006, Julian was awarded a $5,000 dance scholarship from the Tiger Woods Foundation. Julian received another full scholarship to attend American Ballet Theatre's Summer Dance Intensive in New York City, summer 2007. 

Julian auditioned for and won a part in American Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in December 2007.  He was coached and taught directly by ABT's Associate Artistic Director Victor Barbee, husband of principal dancer Julie Kent.  Julian was  first cast and shared the stage with such ABT stars as Ethan Stiefel, Paloma Herrera, and David Hallberg.  Besides dancing in the party scene, he was first understudy to the role of Fritz and he was featured in the Washington Post's photo of the production (second boy from the left).

Julian has two sisters that are also classical ballet dancers , one studying ballet pre-professionally, and one that is a member of the corps de ballet at Staatsballet Berlin. 

International

Timoteo Mock

Berlin, Germany
 



  

Timoteo Mock (16) is an Italian dancer currently studying ballet at  the State Ballet School, Berlin.    Mock has trained at La Scala in Italy and won classical and contemporary awards in international ballet competitions including First Prize at the “International Dance World Cup” in Portugal, as well as First Prize in classical ballet at the “Festival in Rieti” in Italy.