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10 Questions With…Andrew J. Nemr

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Today’s 10 Questions With… features Andrew J. Nemr, a tap dancer and artistic director that was mentored by Gregory Hines…

 

Andrew J. Nemr

1.      How did you become involved with dance?

I was very young, roughly three years old, and being home-schooled at the time. As an only child, my parents wanted me to do something with other kids my age and dance was the option that we collectively chose to explore. The first class I observed was a combination tap, ballet, and tumbling class taught by Chris Collins in Alexandria, VA. I think the fact that it was a male teacher was helpful for me. At any rate, I took to the activity and rose through the ranks of the studio, taking private lessons, joining the performing troupe, and competing. In 1989 I saw the movie TAP, starring Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis, Jr., and that proved to be the next turning point. I immediately began pursuing the more vernacular style of American Rhythm Tap, and have been stuck to it ever since.

2.      What are you currently doing in the field?

I find myself involved in all aspects of the craft. I perform as a soloist in a number of musical collaborations from traditional jazz (Jake Sanders Band), Hard Bop (Nat Adderley Jr. Trio), world music (Max ZT), and electronic (Sean Hagerty and the 1to1Project). Exploring ensemble choreography with my tap dance company CPD PLUS (Cats Paying Dues), I’ve produced evening-length works since its founding in 2004. The most recent, Echoes In Time included reconstructed works of tap dance masters, tribute pieces, and original works, all telling the story of a tap dancer’s introduction to the craft from the first lesson in a classroom to the freedom of personal expression. In the hopes of supporting the preservation and promotion of the craft I co-founded the Tap Legacy™ Foundation with Gregory Hines in 2002. Chartered with a goal of building a cultural center in New York City dedicated to tap dance, Tap Legacy™ producing programming geared to re-igniting the oral history through which tap dance has been passed down over the years, while preserving and championing the craft’s history.

3.      Would you share a special moment from your career with readers? [Read more…]

10 Questions With…Summer Templin Culp

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This week 10 Questions With… features Summer Templin Culp…

Summer Templin Culp

1.      How did you become involved with dance?

I grew up in a small town (less than 2000 people) and when I was young, there were not any dance teachers or studios in the area.  My father took me to see dance concerts whenever they were nearby, but although I loved dance very much and would dance in my own living room or back yard, I was never able to take classes.

When I was 14, a dance studio opened in a town that was about an hour and a half away and I enrolled in every class that I could on Tuesdays and Saturdays – my parents would take turns driving me to dance class and I was able to take 8 hours of classes per week in this manner.  When I turned 16, my parents moved across the state, to a much larger town, and I was able to enroll in a conservatory training program, dancing 6 days per week.

2.      What are you currently doing in the field?

I currently teach ballet and modern to ages 4 – adult.  I have just recently moved, but prior to my move I was dancing with an aerial dance company and a modern dance company.  I am looking for additional performance opportunities in my new community.

3.      Would you share a special moment from your career with readers?

The first person I remember seeing on stage as a dancer has been an incredible inspiration to me throughout my life. In college, I asked her to be a part of a choreographic project in which she collaborated with the director of the ballet company I danced for and one of my modern teachers to create a cohesive piece of choreography which displayed my talents as a dancer and performer.  The experience of being able to work with three of my mentors at the same time was absolutely awe-inspiring.  I wish everyone would have such an opportunity!

4.      What is the best advice you have received from a teacher or mentor? [Read more…]

10 Questions With…Tammy Lechner

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Tammy Lechner

Today on 10 Questions With… 4dancers welcomes Tammy Lechner…

1.      How did you become involved with dance?

My mom is a dancer and I grew up dancing. I used to go with her when she taught and danced at the back of all her classes. I was her “demonstrator” at conventions and just grew up in the theatre.

2.      What are you currently doing in the field?

I am currently publishing a series of dance novels. I also still teach and choreograph.

3.      Would you share a special moment from your career with readers?

Firsts are always big moments in my memory. The first time I performed professionally onstage, my first successful audition, the first recital at my studio, the first student who went on to a professional career and my first book sale.

4.      What is the best advice you have received from a teacher or mentor?

Do what you love and the audience will love what you do.

5.      What has been your greatest challenge?

In the arts world my greatest challenges are usually around money. I find the more I let go of expectations for a certain income, the more my income increases. I wish I had discovered this earlier in my career.

6.      Do you have any advice for dancers that want to go on to a professional career?

Be versatile. Learning just one syllabus is limiting. Taking class at just one studio is limiting. And always protect your body. Choreographers and instructors will sometimes push you in a way that can be damaging to your body long-term so learn about anatomy and protect yourself from injury.

7.      What do you enjoy about being involved in publishing dance books?

Anyone who has danced knows that there are so many great stories to be told. It is exciting to write books for the next generation of superstars that might inspire them along the way.

8.      You have also been a studio owner—what is the best thing about doing that?

My studio is like a huge extended family. The connections made through dancing will go on for generations and the lessons learned in dance class will influence so many lives.

9.      What do you enjoy most about your life in dance?

I remember teaching a piece on chairs, with hats and the thought popped into my head “this is such a cool job…who else gets to dress up and hang out with a bunch of teenagers and listen to music for a living- way better than the 9-5 business suit thing”!

10.  What’s next for you?

I am joining the Board of Ballet Victoria and taking my daughter to study at Los Angeles Ballet so a ballet focus right now. Who knows after that!

BIO: Tammy Lechner grew up in a dancing family and she continues to be a dedicated dancer and teacher. She was the founder and Co-Director of Dance London where she taught, ran a performance company and developed a well known special needs dance program. Tammy studied dance intensively in Canada at such establishments as Quinte and Les Ballets Jazz. Her performance career had her appearing in many commercials, television programs, films and stage productions. Currently Tammy is teaching in Victoria as well as piloting a co-curricular dance program for Glenlyon Norfolk Independent School. Tammy is a gifted teacher and choreographer with an in-depth knowledge of many dance styles. She incorporates the Paula Morgan method of teaching which combines elements from a variety of syllabus to train strong, versatile dancers. Tammy uses her motivational training skills to instil a positive attitude and self confidence in her students.

Human Kinetics Book

Tammy’s latest creative adventure is Lechner Syndications. Her desire to ignite a passion for reading in children has led her to create series about the things that kids love and to offer books containing messages that reinforce the life skills they are learning through their involvements. The dance series is the first series released by Lechner Syndications and Tammy has played a key role in all aspects of writing, cover design and marketing.

10 Questions With…. Jennifer Carlynn Kronenberg

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Today on 4dancers we have 10 Questions With Jennifer Carlynn Kronenberg…

Jennifer Carlynn Kronenberg, courtesy of The George Balanchine Trust, photo by Bob Mooney

1. How did you get started in ballet and what are you doing now?

I always loved to dance, since a was a little girl, and I was always entranced by ballet in particular. I used to watch PBS “Dance in America” specials on TV and try to copy what I saw. My parents finally took me for lessons when I turned 8 years old. I knew I wanted to dance professionally, and I was fortunate enough to be contracted as an apprentice with the Miami City Ballet at the age of 17. I am still dancing with MCB now, and have been a principal dancer since 2001. I also teach annually for the CB School Summer Intensive and I have been a guest artist and teacher with several other schools around the country.

2. You have written a book – “So, You Want To Be A Ballet Dancer”. Can you tell readers what this is about?

My book is essentially a “how to” guide for young aspiring dancers who are considering a professional career. It is also, in part, a memoir in which I share stories of my own pre-professional struggles and mishaps. It is meant to be informational and inspirational at the same time.

I found that on my own way to becoming a professional, as I find now in students of my own, that there are so many essentials that go untaught; such as: the in’s and out’s of the stage and backstage, studio etiquette, auditioning skills, injury prevention, healthy diet and nutrition, stage makeup and hair, pointe shoe preparation and maintenance, handling criticism and stress, etc.

My goal is to provide some insight into these areas so that young dancers are ready to cope with these challenges before they are contracted into a company. All of the information I provide will prove useful in their continued years of study as well.

3. Who can benefit from reading this book—and why?

There is something in my book for pre-professional dancers and students of all levels and age groups. I provide standard information that every young dancer will find that they need to know later on, as well as advice and tips that they can use during their student years. I think it is so important to be well prepared to enter a company, and that being well prepared will ensure a start “on the right foot”. A career in ballet, as wonderful as it is, is full of challenge, dedication, frustration, and sacrifice. My goal is to ease young dancers’ transition from student to professional – even if it is just a little bit.

4. Can you share a piece of advice for young dancers? [Read more…]

10 Questions With…Derrick Agnoletti

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Today we have another interview with a member of the company at the Joffrey Ballet. Derrick Agnoletti is with us to talk about his career…

Derrick Agnoletti

1. How did you become involved with dance?

I was a water polo player and swimmer growing up. I don’t think dancing had ever crossed my mind. At the advice of a coach, I tried a class to improve my coordination. It was like nothing I had ever experienced. I loved the music and the body moving together. I remember specifically seeing the dancers doing ronde jambe at the barre and thinking it was so beautiful and opulent. It was from here (San Jose Cleveland Ballet School) I began my training and further moved on to San Francisco Ballet School and School of American Ballet to name a few.

2. What are you currently doing in the field?

I am currently employed at The Joffrey Ballet as a dancer since 2003 (almost 10 years!!!). I also teach at the Joffrey Academy of Dance and choreograph for the Joffrey Academy as well as many outreach programs through out the Chicagoland area. I love choreographing on students who have never danced. Several of those works have opened The Joffrey Ballet gala as well as the Chicago Dancing Festival. Giving these students the chance to share the stage with companies like Joffrey, New York City Ballet, the Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theater.

3. Would you share a special moment from your career with readers?

I have so many favorite moments, and so many stick out so I will chose a few. I remember sitting in a chair after Mark Goldweber walked me from my audition class to Mr. Arpino’s office, and I had to sit there and wait for him to finish reading something, and then finally Mr. A (as we called him) said I looked like a Joffrey Ballet dancer and asked if I was Italian. Then immediately they offered me a job. It was surreal. I also remember very vividly my first principal role as Mercutio in Crankos, Romeo and Juliet. I enjoyed throwing myself into a “Derrick like” Mercutio. I loved fine tuning every moment to have inner dialogue and understanding what my relationship was to the rest of the cast. It was such a great experience. I carry those things with me in everything that I do.

4. What is the best advice you have received from a teacher or mentor? [Read more…]

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