Summer Intensive

Summer Ballet Intensives 2015
Young Ballet Dancers Workshop (Must be age 8 and have completed 1 year of Beg. I Ballet or Higher) – July 20-24 10:30-4:00
Young Dancers Ballet Workshop – $250.00
2 Week Ballet Intensive (Must have completed 1 year of Beg. II Ballet or Higher) – July 13-24 Monday through Friday 10:00-4:00
1 Week – $275.00
2 Weeks – $450.00
This summer MMDCo is hosting 4 guest artists from all over with various ballet backgrounds to share their expertise with us ! The week will prove to sharpen technique, increase performance quality and professionalism! The experience gained during the week will offer many benefits for the future!

The Intensives includes:

• conditioning for ballet dancers
• Variations
• Worship in dance
• Q & A with the professionals

Guest Artist

Lara Faucher
Lara Faucher began her ballet training under Charthel Arthur and Robert Estner of the Grand Rapids Ballet School as well as with Sally Seven. She received additional training from teachers such as Cherie Noble, George DeLaPena, Rebecca Wright, Paul Sutherland, Beatrice Rodriguez, Edward Villella and Trinette Singleton. Lara danced professionally with Ballet Magnificat! touring throughout the United States and Canada. After touring professionally, Lara graduated Magma Cum Laude from Hope College with a B.A. in Performance/Choreography. While attending Hope College, Lara performed with Ariel Dance Theater under the direction of Linda Graham and Steven Iannacone while also teaching at the Grand Rapids Ballet and doing free lance work as a choreographer. She has received two awards: the Florence Cavanaugh Award in 1998 and the H.J.Kuiper Award in 2002.

In 1999, Lara founded Turning Pointe School of Dance in Holland, MI. Beginning with 23 students in the Spring of 1999 Turning Pointe School of Dance currently has over 400 students. As Founder and Artistic Director from 1999 to the Spring of 2014, Lara had the opportunity to develop curriculum, teach, choreograph, create and set full length ballets while having the privilege to mentor and train many students. She currently is teaching at Grand Valley State University and doing freelance work as a ballet coach, private instructor and consultant.

Alyssa Coeman
Alyssa Coeman trained under Rose Hintz, Lisa Pelio of Pelio School of Dance, Hollie Bottiglia of Modern Messages Dance Company and Debra Shiposh of Fountain Dance. During her training she danced many lead roles in Ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Les Patineur, and Madeline. Ms. Coeman enhanced her training under John Magnus (Joffery Midwest), Ballet Magnificat!, and Checchetti Councel of America’s summer intensive.

After graduating from high school, Ms. Coeman was accepted into the training program at Light of the World Ballet under Ashley Rollinson. As a trainee, she had the opportunity to perform and tour with the professional company. She was placed in roles on the original productions of Life Song, You are special, and Christmas. She also joined them for a trip to the Phillipines in 2009.

Ms. Coeman danced as a company dancer for Votum Dance Company in Fort Worth, Texas, performing many original works. After this, she joined Paradosi Ballet Company in Seattle Washington as an Apprentice then moving up to Company member after one year. She was cast in roles in Commissioned, A walk with Paul, Remember When, and Sealed. While with Paradosi, Ms. Coeman toured with the company nationally and abroad.

Ms. Coeman moved to Holland, Mi in 2013 to join Turning Pointe School of Dance as both a teacher and choreographer. She is also the Artistic Director of Soli Deo Contemporary Ballet , a professional Ballet company. Ms. Coeman has created many works and continues to perform with the company.

DeAnne Essian
DeAnne Essian, received her professional training with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and at Western Michigan University where she was awarded a full scholarship for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program. Essian continued her training on scholarship at the Joffrey School in N.Y. where she performed with the Joffrey II Co.

After returning home to Michigan, DeAnne taught at the Rochester School of Dance. Currently she is the founder and Director of Grace Dance Ensemble.

Karissa Phillips
Karissa Phillips trained at The Ballet Academy in Newark, Ohio, While a student at The Ballet Academy, she participated in COYB’s The Nutcracker for 3 years performing roles such as Clara, Snow Queen, Spanish pas de deux, and Marzipan soloist. In COYB’s spring performances she danced Kitri variation and the Bluebird pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty.
After graduating high school, Ms. Phillips trained with Light Of The World Ballet Company in Syracuse, NY. She studied under Ashley Rollinson, a previous company member of Ballet Magnificat! Alpha. In her two years as a trainee with Light Of The World Ballet she received extensive performance experiences such as participating in a company tour as well as dancing in the streets of NYC. Her training included a study of ballet vocabulary, anatomy, and learning styles.
Since finishing her training with Light of the World Ballet, Ms. Phillips has taught dance at The Ballet Academy in Newark, Ohio while finishing her college degree. This Fall Ms. Phillips will be on staff at Modern Messages Dance Co. as an instructor.