Fast Forward Dance

"Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion." -Martha Graham

Fast Forward Dance Intensive at the Rock School! Countdown begins. Contemporary technique and ballet technique.

Weekend in the Wings (WW): Welcome Guest Teaching Artists Phillip Otto (PO) and Rachel Butler, husband adn wife Directors of The Huntsville Ballet. We caught up with Phil and got to hear some fun facts about him, his family and his tips for summer intensive classes.

WW: Where did you and Rachel meet?
PO: We met at the Rock School (Phil was in PA Ballet and Rachel a student at the school). Needless to say, the school has a special place in our hearts.

WW: How long have you been guest teaching at the Rock School?
PO: 10 years

WW: Do your children dance?
PO: Yes. Both our son and daughter train at Huntsville Ballet School. Nathaniel, who has been on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet Summer Intensive for two years, will be attending Rock Summer Intensive with my daughter.

WW: Tell us a little about the Huntsville Ballet
PO: We are a non-profit located in vibrant Huntsville, Alabama. We are a pre-professional and student company who just added two beautiful and experienced professional company members. We bringt he finest quality of dance to the region performing ballets like Firebird, Romeo and Juliet, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and others. We also perform with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra for Nutcracker.

WW: Do you have any tips for our Summer Intensive Students?
PO: 1. Keep in shape. Don't arrive after having taken two weeks off. 2. Don't worry about what other dancers think, realize why you are there, put blinders on and work hard. 3. It's also important to know that most of the friends you will make at the Rock School are attending for the same reason. BE SUPPORTIVE OF ONE ANOTHER!

We can't wait for Phil and Rachel (and their kids) to join us for the summer.

"Infuse your life with action. Don't wait for it to happen. Make it happen." -Bradley Whitford, NBC's West Wing (daughter attended Rock School 2014).

Fall Year Round auditions are currently being accepted. We have alum in nearly every major ballet company in the world- now, it's your turn. contact us for an audition 215-551-7010

Are you attending summer intensive at the Rock School? Did you know your summer intensive can be your year round audition?! Let us know today so we can set up your in-class audition.
rockschool.org

We are pleased to announce our FIRST winner- the exuberant, Nyah. Dedicated and truly delightful, the outgoing and gifted first year full-time student shared about her "crazy' black lab puppy, Jackpot and the joys of living with her grandmother in Philly (btw, her grandmother delivers insomnia cookies to Nyah as a treat for lunch ). After dancing 25 hours a week, Nyah relaxes at home soaking her feet while she eats dinner binging on the one and only Greys Anatomy. This summer Nyah will go to Orlando Ballet Summer Intensive as she pursues her ultimate dream of dancing in America Ballet Theatre. Her role models are Isabella Bolston because "she's muscular and I'm muscular" and Misty Copeland because "she's African American and well, so am I". We know Nyah is going to be one shooting star. She's on her way!

Collaboration. Determination. Passion. Learn new ways dance empowers self-expression with mentorship-type classes that build stamina, self-esteem and endurance. 💫🌃💜🎆 register today