Jacksonville University Dance Students Train with America’s Next Ballet Stars

“I want to see triple pirouettes, more elevated jumps and better technique,” shouted Wes Chapman, the director of American Ballet Theatre II on Friday, February 20 in the Alexander Brest Dance Studio on Jacksonville University’s campus.

Chapman, along with a crew of eleven ABT II dancers, spent three days in an intense schedule of classes and rehearsals during a mini residency with the JU dance program.

Each day, the dancers spent at least six hours stretching, turning, jumping and learning new choreography. Even though their training seems long, these were typical days for the group of 16 to 20 year old dancers, who were handpicked from around the world to join the company by the artistic staff of ABT.

They will train in the program for one or two years before auditioning for ABT’s main company, considered one of the leading dance companies in the world today.
Joining them in class was a handful of JU dance majors, who came ready to learn, sweat and soak in the experience.

“This has been a fantastic opportunity for all of us to see what a real company is like,” said Senior Elizabeth Dorn. “Wes really pushed us and showed us where we should be with our technique and gave us goals to reach.”

Also benefiting from the experience were JU’s dance instructors, who said watching Chapman instruct JU’s students will help make their jobs easier.
 
“Hearing Wes give the same advice to our students as we do helps reiterate what they need to work on and ultimately helps us teach,” said Kristi Johnson, artist-in-residence. “It also gives them an example of what their bodies should look like if they want to join a professional company.”

During training, the life of an ABT II dancer consists of national and international performances, lecture-demonstrations, along with working closely with reputable choreographers. But being on a college campus, however, is something special.
 
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to interact with other individuals outside of the group who are around the same age,” said Chapman. “They spend so much time traveling the world and rehearsing that just being able to hang out and talk to students about other things is refreshing.”

For more information, call Brian Palmer at 904-256-7374 or visit www.abt.org.