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Annalise Thompson accepted to The Juilliard School


Annalise Thompson, one of Marin Dance Theatre’s senior students, just received exciting news that she has been accepted into the dance program at The Juilliard School in New York City. There are only twenty four students accepted each year, 12 girls and 12 boys, from a nationwide audition process. We are so proud and thrilled for Annalise. She has been at Marin Dance Theatre since we opened our doors in 1996. Day by day, she has always shown an uncompromising commitment to her goals. Her work ethic displays the character and integrity of her person that makes her a real winner.

About The Juilliard School
 
 

Marianne Bassing has been awarded a Level 2 in Dance/Ballet by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA).  She was one of only four ballet dancers chosen nationwide.

Marianne Bassing, a resident of San Anselmo, has been recently named by the members of the Board of Trustees and staff of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) a 2008 youngArts Winner and granted a Level II in Dance/Ballet.

Marianne attended Sir Francis Drake High School and has been studying classical ballet with Margaret Swarthout, Artistic Director of Marin Dance Theatre, in their career-bound dance program. Marianne is the 10th career-bound student from Marin Dance Theatre to be awarded an N.F.A.A youngArts award.

Her award is the result of a rigorous selection process which began with the screening of more than 7000 youngARTS registrants nationwide. She will receive a certificate of recognition for her participation in youngARTS and an award check for $1500.00. As an NFAA award recipient, she can include this nationally prestigious youngARTS award in all her applications for higher education, resumes and other career related biographical information.

youngARTS Week was a unique and memorable experience for Marianne, giving her the opportunity to interact with many other exceptional artists and to share their ideas and commitment to the arts. youngARTS Week is one of the most important experiences offered to a young artist, like Marianne Bassing. The NFAA will notify her Governor, US Senators, Congresspersons and the California State Department of Education, about her youngARTS award.

Marianne’s name has been sent to colleges, universities and professional schools participating in NFAA’s Scholarship List Service. These schools have offered Marianne opportunities for admission and scholarships.

 NFAA Arts program helps strengthen arts education in public and private educational institutions and communities throughout the nation by making scholarships and awards available to young artists, by setting standards of evaluation in each art form, and by providing applicants with a holistic score based on their work.
 

We are excited to announce three new members to our faculty!

Jo Ellen Arntz, company manager for Michael Smuin’s Company in San Francisco, joined the faculty at MDT this past fall. Ms Arntz has been on our “guest faculty” each summer since 1996. “We are thrilled to have her join us,” says Artistic Director Margaret Swarthout.

Erin Derstine, a former dancer with the amazing Hubard Street Dance Chicago, is a great addition to MDT’s faculty. She is teaching contemporary dance.

Ilona McHugh, An alumna of MDT, has returned to the Bay Area after a 9 year career with American Ballet Theatre. We are thrilled to have her join our faculty teaching ballet Technique and Character.
 
EXCITING NEWS ABOUT FIVE “2007” GRADUATES FROM
MARIN DANCE THEATRE!

Ben Dorado, a resident of Novato for the past two years, came from Hawaii to train with Margaret Swarthout at Marin Dance Theatre in the fall of 2005. Ben has been offered an apprentice contract with Cincinnati Ballet and has joined the company this past October, 07. “It’s been wonderful to guide him on this path,” says Swarthout, “Ben was so open to learn and eager to apply all the corrections and all the hard work needed to accomplish his goal to be a professional dancer. We are all so thrilled for him.”

Killian Stephens, another graduate student who moved to San Rafael two years ago from Utah, to train at Marin Dance Theatre, received a contract with Ballet Arizona and is performing with the company this fall. Killian was also awarded the Silver Medal this year by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (N.F.A.A.). She was fl own back to New York City to perform her solo from La Esmeralda and was presented her award on stage by Mikhail Baryshikov. Killian was the ninth student from Marin Dance Theatre to be honored by the N.F.A.A.


Two other graduating students from San Rafael, Lauren and Claire Camp, (sisters) studied dance at MDT for eight years and have both been accepted into the Conservatory of Dance training program at Purchase College, State University of New York.

Eliana Trenam, a resident of Petaluma and a student of Marin Dance Theatre for eight years has been accepted into the Honors College at Iowa University. She won a University of Iowa National Scholar’s award, as well as the prestigious Center for the Arts award, given to the incoming freshman showing the most promise in dance. Although Eliana was accepted to a number of universities, including the Tisch school at New York University, University of Utah, the University of Iowa and nearly full tuition scholarships at Barnard College (of Columbia University) and Smith college, she chose to accept Iowa’soffer over the other schools because she could double major in dance and in International Studies. She hopes to take classes in the renowned Iowa Writers’ Workshop when she is an upperclassman. Eliana’s parents said that she gives all the credit to the fi ne training she received over the years at Marin Dance Theatre, which taught her the discipline she needed for her academics, while instilling in her the necessary technique to pursue ballet at a college conservatory level.