Originally published September 13, 2017
This week, we’re spotlighting our platinum sponsor for the Fall for North Penn Expo on Saturday, September 16th – Delaware Valley Dance Academy, a leader in our area for dance education.
Delaware Valley Dance Academy is celebrating 15 years of providing the finest dance education to the surrounding area in an encouraging and professional atmosphere. Classes are designed to take students from their first introduction to dance to a full and varied course of dance training. An emphasis is placed on proper body placement and line. They stress the importance of musicality and the joy of artistic expression. The school has an enthusiastic staff of professionally experienced teachers which is supplemented by visiting guest teachers. A close working partnership between student and teacher is an important aspect of their program.
Their season is packed with performances and activities too!
Since 2003, DVDA has put on an annual performance of The Nutcracker, a classic holiday ballet, staged by artistic director Lisa Wasserman. After dancing the night away at her family’s Christmas party, Clara embarks on a thrilling adventure that takes her into battle with giant mice, through an enchanted Snow Forest, and into a magical Land of Sweets where Clara is greeted by a host of delightful dancers from Spain, China, Russia, Ireland, and more. It’s a wonderful performance for the entire family to see! Their 2017 production will be on December 1 & 2. Tickets will go on sale on their website beginning October 30th.
In the spring, they host performances for multiple genres in a fun weekend show. For the spring of 2018, ballet students will perform in Coppelia. Act II (performances in Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, and Hip Hop), and Creative Movement Dancers will also perform. Spring performances will be on Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd, 2018.
Additionally, DVDA students also perform at events such as the Philadelphia Youth Dance Festival and the Spring International Festival.
DVDA’s annual Appreciation Day (held in the second week of June) is something studio families look forward to at the end of each season. “Each year, we celebrate the dedication of our families with a moon bounce and slide, barbecue, water ice, face painting, and crafts,” says Administrator Amanda Pietanza. “We also share a video preview of our Spring production. This year was our production of Paquita, County Fair, and Act II.”
And the season doesn’t end after the spring show! DVDA offers summer programs knowing that this is a great time for students to truly focus on developing technique without the pressures of school, homework, and other extra-curricular activities. Choice casting for performances goes to students who have shown the most effort and improvement, so this becomes a key developmental time. Summer offerings include: Fables & Fairytales Dance Camp 2017 for ages 4 thru 7, Musical Theater Camp for ages 6 thru 13, Full Day of Dance Camp for 6 & 7 year olds, Ballet Classes, Modern & Jazz Classes for Level 4 & 5, Ballet Boot Camp for Levels 4 & 4X, and Summer Dance Intensive for Level 5X and up.
They are now open for the 2017-2018 season and have a variety of classes available for ages 3 to adult. Registrations are now being accepted for fall classes. For more information, call (215) 822-4640 or visit www.delawarevalleydance.com.
And if you want to connect with them more, be sure to stop by their table at the Fall for North Penn Expo on Saturday, September 16th!