WOLCOTT – Summer programming with workshops for all ages are scheduled by Ballet Wolcott at the Wolcott Town Hall.
photo by Colin Woolums
Vermont native Sojourn Gudorf Johnston is guest instructor for a week-long dance intensive, July 13-17.
She grew up in Craftsbury and began her dance training in Stowe at the age of five, studying ballet, tap, jazz, modern and hip-hop. From the ages of 12 to 16, she trained under Boston Ballet principal dancers and earned top awards at Youth America Grand Prix competitions, advancing to finals in New York and Paris.
Sojourn expanded her training on summer merit scholarships with Bolshoi Ballet, Boston Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Joffrey Musical Theater, Paris Opera Ballet and American Ballet Theatre New York. She graduated from English National Ballet School’s three-year Trainee Program with a diploma in Professional Dance. As a professional ballerina with Ballet Frontier of Texas for five years, she performs leading roles in both classical ballets and contemporary works.
From 9 a.m. to noon during the week, students ages 6 to 9 will be immersed in movement, exploring various dance styles, as well as arts and crafts, circus skills and more. Students will learn about the stories of the classic ballets and then explore how ballet uses technique, choreography and physical expression to tell the story.
From 1 to 5 a.m., during the week, intermediate students ages 10 to 16 will dive deeper into ballet technique and artistry, exploring the stories and history of ballet, as well as special workshops in various dance styles.
Shidaa Projects presents a West African Dance Workshop with live drumming on Friday, July 10, 6 to 7 p.m. Award-winning Samuel Marquaye from Ghana, and Shidaa Projects founder Jordan Mensah will take participants through easy dance repertoires originating from Ghana. No previous dance experience is needed and the workshop is open to all ages.
On Saturday, July 18, from 10 to 11:00 a.m., Ballet Wolcott founder, Helene Nilsen, brings storytelling and movement to participants ages 3 to 6. Nilsen has been dancing, teaching, and ensuring the continuation of ballet at the Wolcott Town Hall since the founding of Wolcott Children’s Ballet in 1976.
There is a tuition charge with financial aid available. Registration is now open and can be found at balletwolcott.com
