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catskill mountain foundation

Orpheum Dance Program

Four ballerinas in costume sit backstage

Dance Training for All

The Orpheum Dance Program brings together the best of dance training for all levels, exposure to professional dancers and standards and community engagement. Victoria Rinaldi, a former Metropolitan Opera Ballerina, teaches pre-ballet ages 4 to 5; Ballet I for Beginners; Ballet II after 2 years of dance training; Ballet III for Advanced and Pointe; and Contemporary Dance 8 and up. The program combines dance classes with two major community performances a year, The Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Rinaldi helps cultivate young dancers to reach their fullest potential while dancing alongside professional and pre-professional dancers from the most renowned dance programs in the country.

Two ballerinas in pink leaping across stage

Performances at the Orpheum

The Community Performances are free for local children to participate in, including costumes and training in rehearsals, as well as multiple performances on the stage of the Orpheum Performing Arts Center. Over 1,000 children, dancers and adults have been in costume, onstage since 2015 and thousands have watched the performances as an audience member. Whether a child is looking for intense training to launch a career, or is yearning to learn the basics and perform on stage, the discipline and skills acquired through these programs will benefit them in every aspect of their future.

Group of dancers on stage in Midsummer

Orpheum Dance Program Alumni

These dancers have appeared in productions of the Orpheum Dance Program and are now pursuing major careers in dance. Click on the buttons at the right to scroll through our alumni!

Catskill Mountain Foundation credits:
The Nutcracker: Cavalier 2015, 2016, 2017.
American Dream: 2015, 2016, 2017
A Victorian Nutcracker Remembrance: 2020

Awards
Gold medal VKIBC St. Petersburg Russia 2017, Silver Medal Concorso di Danza Internationale Spoleto 2016, Silver medal VKIBC New York 2016, 2017, Yuri Groigorovich Young Ballet of the World, Sochi 2016 Bronze medal, South Africa International Ballet Competition 2016, VKIBC 2015

In 2016 Justin studied at the Vaganova Ballet Academy St. Petersburg, Russia. He is presently a company member with The Martha Graham Company.

Justin Valentine

Lexington, NY

Catskill Mountain Foundation credits:
The Nutcracker: Christmas Star, Arabian Dancer 2016
American Dream: 2017
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Helena 2019
We Will Dance Again: 2020
A Victorian Nutcracker Remembrance: 2020

Freeda has participated in several international festivals and workshops. In 2019 she was selected to study at Zurich University of the Arts as the first exchange student from CalArts. Freeda would have participated in Springboard Danse Montreal in the summer of 2020. She will receive her BA from CalArts University, Santa Clarita, CA, spring 2021.

Freeda Electra Handelsman

Round Top, NY

Catskill Mountain Foundation credits:
The Nutcracker: Nutcracker Prince 2015-2016
American Dream: 2015, 2016, 2017
We Will Dance Again: 2020
A Victorian Nutcracker Remembrance: 2020

Awards
Gold medal at VKIBC NY in 2016

In 2017 Orlando received a full scholarship to The Julliard School. He also has a full scholarship to Arts Umbrella Vancouver, Canada. Orlando is presently a company member Ballet BC in Vancouver.

Orlando Harbutt

Hudson, NY

Catskill Mountain Foundation credits:
The Nutcracker: Clara 2015-2017; Snow Queen, Christmas Star, Marzipan 2019
American Dream: 2016, 2017, 2018
Community Class Recital: 2018
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: 2019 Soloist
We Will Dance Again: 2020
A Victorian Nutcracker Remembrance: 2020

Sydney attended summer intensives at ABT New York and Washington Ballet D.C., and has won international scholarships at VKIBC finals NY in 2017 and 2018. She was a 2020 finalist at YAGP, which was cancelled. In the summer of 2020 Sydney was accepted to summer intensives at English National Ballet, London; Academie Princess Grace, Monte Carlo; and Dutch National Ballet, Amsterdam. Sydney is presently a company member of Cleveland Ballet.

Sydney Henson

Saugerties, NY

Catskill Mountain Foundation credits:
The Nutcracker: Nutcracker Prince 2017, Party Parent 2018, Mouse King 2019
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Demetris 2019
A Victorian Nutcracker Remembrance: 2020

Justice Leman is presently pursuing an acting career in New York City.

Justice Leman

Windham, NY

Catskill Mountain Foundation credits:
The Nutcracker: Sugar Plum Fairy 2015, 2016
American Dream: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Hermia 2019
We Will Dance Again: 2020
A Victorian Nutcracker Remembrance: 2020

Awards
Grand Prix Concorso di Danza Internationale Spoleto 2016 and VKIBC St. Petersburg, Russia 2017; Gold medal VKIBC New York 2015-2017; Yuri Grigorovich Young Ballet of the World, Sochi 2016; Silver medal South Africa International Ballet Competition 2016

Nikita joined Boston Ballet in 2018 and is presently a member of Cincinnati Ballet.

Nikita Boris

River Edge, NJ

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