Radio City Rocket Jessica Davison teaches a class at the program for students 11 and up.
Extend your dance skills and technique at the Marblehead School of Ballet’s (MSB) celebrated Summer Intensive Dance 2019 program. The MSB welcomes Jessica Davison, a member of the Radio City Rockettes in New York City, who returns for a third year to teach a jazz master class in the program.
Davison brings her extensive experience performing several seasons as a Rockette in New York City and dancing in the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. In 2016, she performed in the cast of the New York Spectacular starring the Rockettes choreographed by Mia Michaels. She has appeared with the Rockettes on the Tony Awards, America’s Got Talent, Live! with Kelly, The Wendy Williams Show, Meredith Vieira, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Today Show, and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.
Originally from Bedford, New Hampshire, Davison studied jazz, tap, theatre, and voice at the Bedford Youth Performing Company and undertook ballet at Southern New Hampshire Dance Theatre. She attended summer intensives at The Rock School of Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and San Francisco Youth Ballet. She graduated from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance.
Correct Technique Emphasized
Dancers of all levels of experience cultivate their technical skills and enrich their understanding and appreciation of the art form with personalized training in small classes taught by leading professionals in the field in the MSB’s summer dance intensive. “We emphasize correct alignment, musicality, and a graded approach to material allowing dancers the opportunity to extend their skills in a balanced way without injury,” explained Director Paula K. Shiff, recipient of Salem State University’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts, who trained at the Boston Ballet School, studied at the American Ballet Theatre and the Martha Graham Studio and performed with the Boston Ballet Company.
“The foundation for a strong and versatile dancer is proper technique. I teach at the Marblehead School of Ballet’s intensive because it is vey rare to find a studio that focuses on proper technique. As a professional dancer in New York City dancing with the Rockettes for seven years, I can confidently say Artistic Director Paula Shiff and her staff have an incredible amount of knowledge and truly prepare their dancers for the real world,” said Davison.
She attended the Marblehead School of Ballet and received customized training that enhanced her dance technique. “Before attending The Boston Conservatory, I came to the studio and Ms. Shiff took the time to work one on one with me. She corrected things no other teacher saw, and she explained it in an understandable way. Without her incredible knowledge of the body and technique, I would not still be dancing today!” she said.
Individualized Classes
During its 47th season, the MSB invites dancers of all levels to apply now to the school’s renowned Summer Dance Intensive program providing individualized ballet, jazz, and modern technique classes, as well as classes in related disciplines. The program for students ages 11 and over runs from July 15 to August 3. The Young Dancer’s Intensive for children ages 8 to 12 and over is scheduled from August 5 to August 9. International students, ages 15 and above with intermediate level dance training, may also apply.
Students, ages 11 and up, participate in customized ballet, pointe, jazz, variations, Pilates, and modern technique classes. The program also presents classes in the related disciplines of music theory, nutrition, anatomy, injury prevention, and dance history, among others. By popular demand, the third week of repertory focuses on technique, choreography, and rehearsals, culminating in a special public performance on Saturday, August 3.
The Young Dancer’s program offers classes covering ballet technique, improvisation, stretch and strength, rhythm, story telling through movement, and more. The Summer Intensive Dance 2019 is sponsored in part by The Ruth N. Shiff Memorial Fund and provides support for the guest teachers and the performance.
Students enrolled in the Summer Dance Intensive participate in MSB’s annual excursion to Jacob’s Pillow in Lenox, Massachusetts. This year, the students take in an enriching experience to see the esteemed Dance Theatre of Harlem on Sunday, July 14. The trip includes a guided tour and the performance.
Register
The Summer Intensive Dance 2019 program takes place at 115 Pleasant Street in Marblehead. Learn more about the Summer Dance Intensive 2019 and the Jacob’s Pillow annual excursion on the school’s website. For further information, call the school at 781-631-6262 or send an e-mail to msb@havetodance.com.